Blackhawks: 3 Potential free agents to consider in 2020

In the summer of 2020, the Chicago Blackhawks will have a chance to make some moves to better their team. Here are three potential free agents to consider.

Taylor Hall

The Chicago Blackhawks need to add depth on their forward lineups, that’s where a player with the talent of Taylor Hall comes in. Currently, Hall is being paid $6,000,000 a season but has yet to re-sign with the Arizona Coyotes. He could be a good fit for the Blackhawks.

At 28, turning 29 in November, Hall still has some of his best hockey ahead of him. I could see him signing a one or two-year deal with a team on the rise to make the playoffs. If he does, Chicago would be a perfect place for him.

First off, unlike New Jersey, where he was before Arizona, Hall doesn’t have to be the top player. He would fit into a depth role, where he can shine without much pressure.

Hall didn’t seem happy in New Jersey, that could be why his numbers slipped. Imagine him playing on a line with Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane, that would be a nightmare for opposing teams.

The problem with Hall becomes his contract. Let’s say he will sign for $6,000,000 AAV, where does that money come from? It could come from trading Brandon Saad for draft picks. Hall is an upgrade from Saad, for many reasons.

Hall is the stronger, more powerful player with more attributes than Saad. Hall is wroth $6,000,000, Saad isn’t.

Another way to get money is to move Andrew Shaw or Calvin de Haan. de Haan didn’t play much this season due to injury, and the Blackhawks have younger players that can fill his role. Paying de Haan $4,550,000 per season takes away from money that can be spent elsewhere.

If Shaw retires, his $3,900,000 gets swept under the books, because he isn’t 35 years old. With his injuries getting more frequent, there have been rumors of Shaw hanging up the skates this summer. If that happens, there will be more money to spend.