Checking in on former Chicago Blackhawks who left in free agency

This past offseason, Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson attempted to significantly upgrade his roster. In order to free up space for his new additions, Davidson had to allow a number of players to walk to free agency. 

Let’s check in on all the Hawks who left the team this summer and see if Davidson should regret any of his decisions a quarter way into the campaign.

Tyler Johnson

Johnson, 34, was a reliable middle-six producer during his time in Chicago. Partially acquired as a cap dump as well as for his winning pedigree, he was a mentor for the younger Blackhawks for three seasons.

Since leaving the team, Johnson signed a professional tryout agreement with the Boston Bruins and eventually earned a full-time contract in November. He has one assist in six games while playing limited minutes.

Taylor Raddysh

In 2022-2023, his first full year with the Hawks, Raddysh tallied 20 goals and looked like he had the potential to be a top-six winger for the franchise. Instead, the 26-year-old managed just five goals and 14 points last season and found himself without a home on July 1st. The Washington Capitals picked up the power forward and he has fit into their bottom-six nicely to the tune of three goals and eight points in 20 games.

Colin Blackwell

Blackwell, 31, was a reliable penalty-killer and always brought energy over his two injury-plagued seasons in the Windy City. The Harvard graduate latched on with the Dallas Stars this summer on the second day of free agency. Thus far he has one goal and four points in under 12 minutes of ice time a night. 

MacKenzie Entwistle

Acquired as a throw-in in the Marian Hossa trade in 2018, Entwistle played nearly 200 games for the Hawks between 2020 and 2024. The 25-year-old signed with the Cup champion Florida Panthers in free agency but has yet to see time on the NHL roster. He has one goal in three appearances for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

Jarred Tinordi

Claimed off waivers in 2022, the hulking Tinordi, 32, spent the majority of the past two seasons on the Hawks’ bottom defense pair. In September, he signed with the Calgary Flames and has since notched four points in 18 games for their AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers.

Nikita Zaitsev

Another cap dump acquisition, Zaitsev played in 56 games over a season and a half in Chicago. This summer, the 33-year-old returned to his native Russia, signing with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. He wears the “A” there and has four helpers in 26 games on the season.

Reese Johnson

The undrafted Johnson played a physical role for the Hawks and IceHogs between 2018 and 2024. The 26-year-old inked a deal with the Minnesota Wild on July 1st and currently has seven points in 16 games as a member of the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

Jaycob Megna

Megna, 31, spent significant time as Kevin Korchinski’s defense partner after he was claimed off waivers on January 3rd. Like Entwistle, he signed with the Florida Panthers and currently plays for AHL Charlotte where he has potted one goal and five assists over 15 games.

Rem Pitlick

Pitlick was acquired in January when the Hawks were decimated by injuries and needed warm bodies in the lineup. Despite going pointless in nine games with the Hawks, the 27-year-old contributed an impressive 33 points in 27 games as an IceHog. Pitlick remains unsigned.

Anthony Beauvillier

Beauvillier, who spent time with the Hawks, Vancouver Canucks, and Nashville Predators last season signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer. Beauvillier, 27, never seemed to find his footing during his time in Chicago, mustering just six points in 23 games. In the same amount of games this year in Pittsburgh he has a more respectable six goals and nine points.

Davidson did not make any mistakes by letting these players go. Sure, seeing Taylor Raddysh produce in a similar role in Washington may be hard to stomach, but the majority of the players Davidson didn’t re-sign are fourth-liners or are no longer good enough to warrant an NHL roster spot. Going forward, Hawks fans can only hope these players’ replacements (Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, and company) start to play up to their paychecks.