NHL Rumors: Blackhawks Linked to Three Trade Targets This Offseason

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 , ,
St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou skates during 2026 game.

The Chicago Blackhawks finished 29-39-14 for 72 points, dead last in the Central Division and 31st overall in the NHL standings.

Connor Bedard has established himself as a franchise center, posting new career highs in goals, assists, and points despite playing on one of the league's worst rosters around him.

The rebuild has produced draft capital, cap space, and a prospect pool that analysts consistently rank among the best in the sport.

What it has not yet produced is the impact forward who helps bring the team to the next level alongside Bedard.

That is the task facing GM Kyle Davidson this summer, and Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times put it: if any high-end players move around the NHL this summer, the Blackhawks need to do absolutely everything within their power to ensure they are the team acquiring them.

Davidson has said publicly he is always trying to acquire really good young players, and Chicago owns the fourth overall pick in the 2026 draft, three 2027 first-round selections, and more than $40 million in cap space.

Three specific names are being linked to the Blackhawks.

Jason Robertson - Dallas Stars

Robertson is the name that generates the most consistent buzz around Chicago, and the contract situation in Dallas is the reason why.

The 26-year-old posted 45 goals and 81 points in 68 games this season, yet the Stars are reportedly hesitant to pay him beyond the $12 million cap hit Mikko Rantanen commands, a ceiling that may not be enough to retain one of the league's premier scorers entering a contract year with arbitration rights.

Stars GM Jim Nill has repeatedly said he intends to re-sign Robertson and that a priority of the summer is getting it done.

But Robertson has no trade protection as a restricted free agent, and if the extension negotiations stall heading toward arbitration, Chicago would have a real opening for either a straight trade or a sign-and-trade structure.

Jordan Kyrou - St. Louis Blues

New St. Louis Blues GM Alex Steen inherits a roster that outgoing GM Doug Armstrong was already attempting to reshape, and the cap flexibility question surrounding Kyrou makes him one of the most discussed potential trade pieces in the league.

Kyrou carries an $8.125 million AAV through 2030-31, which is a meaningful commitment on a team looking to accelerate a rebuild.

The Blues already dangled Robert Thomas at last season's trade deadline. Kyrou's name fits the same conversation.

Kyrou is an elite skater with top-six offensive production and a term that provides roster stability rather than a one-year audition.

The Blues' asking price would start with Chicago's fourth overall pick, which Davidson may be reluctant to part with but could offset with the three 2027 first-round selections the Blackhawks control.

Robert Thomas - St. Louis Blues

Thomas is the third Blues name that has circulated in Chicago conversations.

A 26-year-old first-line center with 64 points in 64 games this season and a contract running through 2030-31 at $8.125 million per year, Thomas would give Davidson a proven top-six center who could operate on Bedard's line or drive a second line independently.

Armstrong put Thomas in trade conversations at the deadline, per multiple reports, and Steen will have his own evaluation of whether Thomas fits the direction of a retooling franchise.

The Blackhawks have spoken publicly about wanting a second high-end forward for years. Thomas is the best organizational fit of the three names on this list.

Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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