The Chicago Blackhawks have become very active in the trade market, according to Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman.
General manager Kyle Davidson holds two 2027 first-round picks formerly belonging to the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, along with his own first-rounder and two second-rounders. Rival clubs have asked about Chicago prospects and roster players capable of playing center, while forwards Jordan Greenway and Teuvo Teravainen are also available.
Pressure is mounting on Davidson to help a floundering team before the season slips away, Ben Pope reported for the Chicago Sun-Times. Head coach Jeff Blashill stated he isn’t concerned about his job security, telling reporters that he believes in the trust between himself, the players, and management.
Pope noted that roster trades seem both necessary and likely given the deep hole the team has dug.
Jack Bushman of Chicago Hockey Now reported that the Philadelphia Flyers expressed interest earlier this season in Blackhawks forwards Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore.
Sportsnet’s Frank Seravalli reported that Chicago is also hunting for a shoot-first scoring winger with size. Potential targets include Philadelphia’s Owen Tippett, Washington’s Ivan Miroshnichenko, Columbus’ Dmitri Voronkov, Pittsburgh’s Rickard Rakell, and Vancouver’s Drew O’Connor.
The Pittsburgh Penguins want to get faster and younger, Elliotte Friedman reported. The organization is currently sorting out which players with no-trade protection are willing to move. Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now reported that veterans Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are unlikely to be traded due to their career stages and limited return value.
Erik Karlsson remains a trade candidate with potential landing spots in Boston, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Washington, though moving his $10 million cap hit poses a challenge. Kingerski suggested Seattle, Los Angeles, the New York Rangers, Chicago, and Buffalo as destinations for Rickard Rakell. Bryan Rust also draws interest across the league because he lacks no-trade protection.
A staring contest persists between Detroit Red Wings management and Dylan Larkin, who continues sitting out while awaiting a trade, Elliotte Friedman reported on the NHL Network. Management hoped the 30-year-old center might remove certain clubs from his 10-team no-trade list or add new ones to open up options with interested teams. Larkin has dug in his heels and refused to amend the list.
Noise is growing around St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington on the trade market, according to Elliotte Friedman. Binnington carries a $6 million cap hit with a 10-team no-trade list and will become an unrestricted free agent next July. Having lost the starting job to Joel Hofer and appearing in only five games, the 33-year-old could attract interest from contenders seeking goaltending depth.