Insider's trade board has numerous intriguing targets for the Blackhawks

On Thursday, Frank Seravalli released his first Trade Target board of the offseason, listing 25 players who could be on the move this summer. The list contains seven centers, six wingers, six defensemen, and six goaltenders. There are a handful of realistic trade targets for the Chicago Blackhawks, a few intriguing names, and some players that they should stay clear of.

Two names that are not on Seravalli’s list are Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthews Knies. Although these two have been mentioned in trade rumors for quite some time and are at the top of Blackhawks fans’ wish lists, not being included on the list is a good sign that neither will be moved this offseason.

Top Targets

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas has been a name in the rumor mill for months, and he’s 13th on Seravalli’s list. He is a player that general manager Kyle Davidson should inquire about, but if he is on the trade block, many other teams will make offers. Thomas’ teammate, Jordan Kyrou, is second on the list and, as I’ve written about before, could be a better fit and a more likely target.

The reported asking price for Kyrou is an established player, a prospect, and a draft pick. The Blackhawks would have no problem meeting two of those three requirements, but it would be a little tricky regarding the established player.

The other top target on this list for me is all the way down at No. 25, and that’s Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson. If there is a player who screams “change of scenery,” it's Pettersson. He’s coming off back-to-back down seasons of 15 goals apiece. Before that, he had seasons of 32, 39, and 34 goals while missing only four games.

The last two seasons have been a nightmare in Vancouver, both on and off the ice. Between a very messy and public divided locker room situation, the Quinn Hughes trade, and Adam Foote’s system not fitting his playing, as well as some personal tragedies, a fresh start in Chicago is exactly what Pettersson needs to resurrect his career.

The 27-year-old forward has six years left on his contract with a $11.6 cap hit. That has some worried, especially with the lack of production this season. But, they can more than afford that cap hit now, and if he’s been closer to the player he was for the first six years of his career, the contract will never be bothersome. There is risk, but I really feel that getting him out of Vancouver and into a younger locker room would do wonders. The asking price might not be as costly as you think if you’re willing to take on the whole contract, which the Blackhawks can do.

No Help Defensively

A perfect Blackhawks offseason would be adding a top-six forward, a bottom-six forward who plays with an edge, and a veteran defenseman, preferably on the left side. Seravalli’s top trade target is a left-handed blueliner in Morgan Rielly, but acquiring him makes no sense. He’s 32 and still has four years left on his contract, which doesn’t fit into the timeline. Plus, you can bet new Toronto general manager John Chayka’s asking price will be high.

The only other two left-handed defenders on the list are Darnell Nurse and Jake Middleton. Davidson didn’t clear out Seth Jones’ contract last year just to take on Nurse’s deal, which is even worse. And if you watched the final game between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche, Middleton is a hard pass. If Davidson wants a veteran blueliner, he will likely have to get one via free agency.

Intriguing Targets

There are plenty of other players on Seravalli’s list who you could make a case for. Jake DeBrusk is a speedy 20-goal scorer, but taking on a five-year contract doesn’t make a ton of sense. Blake Coleman could fill that need of a player with an edge, and he’s entering the final year of his contract.

A pair of Avalanche forwards makes sense for the Blackhawks. Both Ross Colton and Jack Drury would be worth a phone call. Colton is a hard-nosed forward who is tenacious on the forecheck and has a knack for scoring big goals. Playing for both the Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning and the Avalanche is a plus. Drury is a two-way center who can play in all situations and engages physically at will. He has a career 56.8 Corsi for percentage and 57.1 faceoff percentage.

A young trio of players who may be in need of a fresh start raises eyebrows. Kent Johnson, Mason McTavish, and Shane Wright are all on Seravalli’s list. They could be savvy moves that pay off down the line, or they could end up as wasted roster spots. On a roster full of uncertainty, I’d like to add players with more of a track record of success than these three.

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