8 Chicago Blackhawks leaving in the new year

Ryan Donato

It will be interesting to see what the Blackhawks do with Donato. He got off to a surprisingly great start that has seen him lead the team in goals.

Set to be a free agent after the season, the Hawks try to cash out on his likely career season by dealing him at the deadline.

The front office could entertain giving him a short-term extension much like the club did with Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson.

Dealing Donato should come down to what offers the Blackhawks get. If the best offer is a fourth-round pick or later, it would be better to just try to extend him.

If a contender is offering a third-round pick or a prospect that can develop into at least a third-line or third-pair player, then it makes sense to trade Donato.

Patrick Maroon and Craig Smith

These two veteran forwards were signed in the offseason to cover time while younger players, such as Landon Slaggert and Colton Dach, develop their NHL games in Rockford.

Smith and Maroon have had a positive impact on Lukas Reichel, who looked like a lost cause last season.

Obviously, it would be nice if Reichel is more than just a fourth-line player, but at least those two's presence on the same line with Lukas has allowed him to look like a viable NHL player.

However, these two are getting closer to 40 than their prime years. With Slaggert and Dach hopefully being ready for the NHL next season, these are two veterans the Hawks can let walk away in free agency.

Arvid Soderblom

Soderblom was supposed to finish out his Blackhawks' tenure in Rockford after having an awful season in 2023-24. The Hawks added Laurent Brossoit was signed in the offseason to be the team's backup goalie while Petr Mrazek was extended after Soderblom was unable to take hold of the No. 1 netminder spot.

Brossoit required offseason knee surgery that was delayed when he started the season. That gave Soderblom's NHL career a brief reprieve. Soderblom took advantage and has played well.

Brossoit needing another surgery has allowed Soderblom to stay in the NHL. However, he will return at some point this season. He was not signed to go play in Rockford.

The Hawks are going to have a hard time sneaking Soderblom through waivers. Since he is set for restricted free agency and there will likely be no room on the NHL roster once Brossoit returns, it would make sense for him to be traded.

Davidson could theoritically deal Brossoit or Mrazek if he wants to keep Soderblom. Considering he has already been replaced by Drew Commesso as the team's long-term No. 1 netminder of the future and Arvid's pending restricted free agency, Soderblom makes the most to get dealt.