In his first time addressing the media immediately after the final game of the Blackhawks’ season, GM Kyle Davidson made it abundantly clear that something had to change this summer. With plenty of young pieces already in place, Chicago’s changes may focus more on development of players already in the system than exploring free agency or trades.
Before they can give their young skaters the opportunities they need, Chicago must first “clean house”, getting rid of all of the pieces of the 2023-24 lineup that won’t be around to see the rebuild through. With a number of free agents set to hit the market, a whopping seven Blackhawks aren’t likely to be brought back this summer.
The three veteran defensemen can be lumped together because they’re all facing similar situations. Each is facing unrestricted free agency. Tinordi and Zaitsev are each 32 years old and Megna is 31. Chicago didn’t have to spend much to acquire any of them – Tinordi and Megna were waiver claims and the Senators gave up a package of picks to get rid of Zaitsev’s contract in early 2023. Most importantly for this summer, each was an underwhelming liability throughout the past season. Players like Seth Jones and Alex Vlasic held down the fort the best they could, but the Blackhawks’ defensive unit was among the worst in the NHL due in large part to the lackluster performances of their three veterans. Chicago was likely counting down the days until the three contracts were off the books, so these decisions are no-brainers for Davidson and his staff.
In a completely different situation than that of the veteran defensemen, Blackwell and Johnson won’t be brought back simply because of timing. It’s not for a lack of talent – Blackwell was solid on both ends of the ice after returning from a lengthy injury recovery in the middle of the season while Johnson was a solid middle-six skater who was the main subject of rumors at the trade deadline.
However, with both players set to hit unrestricted free agency, their careers simply don’t fit the timeline of Chicago’s rebuild. There are certainly older skaters on Chicago’s roster (Blackwell is 31 and Johnson is 33) but each of those players have more distinguished roles and are locked into longer deals. To move on from both players is to usher in a new wave of talent, proving the Blackhawks’ full commitment to the oncoming rebuild.
Somewhere between the two previous groupings fall Entwistle and Johnson. At 24 and 25 years old, respectively, it isn’t that they don’t fit the timeline of Chicago’s rebuild. They aren’t necessarily liabilities on the ice. They wouldn’t have to be persuaded back at a high cost.
The problem for Entwistle and Johnson is that there simply isn’t room for them at this point on the roster. The two were in and out of last season’s lineup, and even when they started, neither really advanced above the fourth line, seemingly acting as placeholders for the year. With Taylor Hall returning from injured reserve and Frank Nazar, and perhaps others, becoming full-time NHLers, it’s hard to make the case for either player to be brought back in any capacity. Even if we see an apocalypse of injuries in Chicago like last season, I’d prefer to see young, high-upside prospects like Paul Ludwinski get a look instead.
