Frequently Asked Questions
Which Blackhawks players are most likely to be traded before the deadline?
Tommy Wingels, Lance Bouma, Jan Rutta, Michal Kempny, Connor Murphy, Artem Anisimov, and Brandon Saad are the most likely candidates. The pending free agents like Wingels, Bouma, Rutta, and Kempny are especially likely to be moved for draft picks.
What kind of return could the Blackhawks get for Jan Rutta or Michal Kempny?
Rutta could potentially bring back a 4th or 5th round pick, while Kempny should garner more due to his solid analytics including a +11 plus/minus and nearly 54% Corsi. Both are pending free agents with low cap hits that could appeal to teams needing defensive depth.
Why would the Blackhawks consider trading Connor Murphy?
Murphy has been the Blackhawks' most consistent defenseman this season and is just 24 years old on a team-friendly long-term deal, making him their most enticing asset. However, the author thinks trading him would be incredibly silly for a defensively-famished organization that just acquired him.
Can Artem Anisimov be traded despite his no-movement clause?
Anisimov has a no-movement clause that would prevent a trade unless he agrees to waive it. Management might ask him to waive the clause, and clearing his 4-year, $4.55 million contract would be alleviating for the Blackhawks while potentially netting a high draft pick.
What type of draft picks could the Blackhawks get for Tommy Wingels and Lance Bouma?
Both players could potentially bring back a 6th or 7th round pick. They appeal to teams that value grit and toughness, and their pro-rated contracts are very cheap compared to players with similar production.