Blackhawks could define deadline strategy during Olympics

During a normal year, the weeks leading up to the trade deadline can get tense. Multiple issues are going on simultaneously. There are games, injuries, media ops, and whatever monkey wrenches life chooses to throw at teams.

But this season is different. The three-week gap ushered in by the Olympic break has allowed teams to catch their breath and regroup. As of now, players and executives not participating in the Olympics will have a mandatory break.

Everyone will be eligible to report back to their teams on February 17. But just because some players will hit the beach or take a much-deserved break doesn’t mean the entire league will shut down. Business will continue behind the scenes, with signings, AHL demotions, and even trade negotiations still going on.

While trades cannot go through until after the roster freeze ends on February 22, handshake deals can still take place. Moreover, players can negotiate extensions and sign their own players.

That situation could benefit the Blackhawks’ deadline strategy. The club can take the time to talk to players, assess impending UFAs, and determine where the team wants to go.

For instance, the Blackhawks now have a unique opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with captain Nick Foligno. The 38-year-old will be a UFA at the end of the season. As such, the Blackhawks and their captain can discuss what the future holds from both ends of the spectrum.

That’s a conversation that would be tough to have amid the hubbub of the regular action going on with games and travel. With those distractions removed, working out a deal all of a sudden becomes much easier.

Blackhawks can figure out trade scenarios free of pressure

Another key point here is the lack of pressure potentially clouding judgment. The Blackhawks can take their time to figure out what trade scenarios work best for the team. If anything, this opportunity could be the best time to go over multiple possibilities leading up to the deadline.

It’s also a chance for the Blackhawks to determine if they will become sellers. If they do, the team can decide how deep the cut will be.

That’s something that can’t really happen with the day-to-day grind going on around them. There will be enough time to relax, catch up on some sleep, and go over what the market could hold for the team.

If I were the Blackhawks GM, I would war game just about every potential outcome on the trade market. While it’s impossible to figure out every angle, at the very least, the club can be prepared to set its position and move accordingly.

The key here is that the NHL’s hiatus allows clubs to proactively figure out their stances. That’s why the Blackhawks should avoid reactionary moves and lay out their vision for this year’s trade deadline.