Post by Jedediah-Hartford on Jan 19, 2023 9:59:20 GMT -5
Chicago is making several players available on the trade block.
Impending 2023 UFAs:
Tyler Bozak - C/RW - $3,168,750 - 60-31 - Depth forward with the ability to agitate.
Ben Hutton - D - $3,412,500 - 54-76 - Solid 2nd/3rd pair defenseman with some toughness.
Mikko Koskinen - G - $1,550,000 - 47-53 - If you want to stockpile goaltender depth, he can be had.
Jon Merrill - D - $5,596,250 - 57-78 - Another solid middle pair defender. Chicago's large FP stash makes him a potential candidate for an extension, so that valuation will factor into any discussions surrounding him.
Keith Yandle - D - $2,775,000 - 56-54 - Not really expecting to receive calls on Yandle, but giving him one last spotlight as his GHL career comes to an end.
Other players on the block:
Sami Niku - D - $965,250 - 2023 RFA (bridged) - 62-62 - Niku has returned to Europe so this is a de facto rental - he can fill in on a PP 2nd unit.
Matthew Highmore - RW/LW - $1,053,000 - 2023 RFA (bridged) - 64-35 - Depth winger.
Zach Aston-Reese - LW/RW - $2,018,250 - 2023 RFA (bridged) - 61-43 - Depth winger but with some toughness. Will be back from IR in coming weeks.
Bigger names on the block:
Brad Marchand - LW - $9,270,000 - 2024 UFA - 99-62 - Marchand is a player that could be potentially extended via FP in 2024, but also warrants market exploration.
Blake Wheeler - RW - $8,280,000 - 2024 UFA - 91-32 - Still producing with a
Corey Perry - RW - $2,280,000 - 2024 UFA - 79-35 - Offers good bottom six offense without a hefty salary burden, plus some toughness via fisticuffs and agitation.
Other players can be discussed, but the list above are the ones Chicago is actively shopping. With a current cap space of $8,517,499 there is room for flexibility given some of the contracts listed above.
With this team being owner-less, a reminder that all potential deals will be league-checked in order to be made official.