3 free agent defensemen that make the most sense for the Chicago Blackhawks

Matt Roy

One of the more underrated defensemen in this year's free agency class is Matt Roy of the Los Angeles Kings.

Roy has spent the better part of the past six years playing in the NHL for the Kings and has become a very reliable defenseman during that time. He may not be one of the big-name players available this summer, but he provides consistency that could help the Blackhawks blueline.

In the past three seasons, Roy has eclipsed 20 points in each campaign while also being a plus player. Plus/minus has always been a stat that does not tell the entire story with a player, but Roy's +23 in 2021-22 and +21 this season are nothing to shy away from.

Roy's advanced stats show that he is a solid puck-mover who defends at a high-level. He can play up-and-down on a team's blueline which makes him a very versatile option for any team looking to sign him.

Roy would be a great addition alongside the young defenders in Chicago as a versatile player with experience. He provides a steady and reliable presence that could be a great fit on the Blackhawks blueline.

At 29 years-old, Roy is looking to cash in as an unrestricted free agent as a coveted right-shot defenseman. He is going to draw a lot of interest which could make for a bidding war, and the Blackhawks have the money to make a deal work if it is a number that works well for them.

Dylan DeMelo

A veteran of ten seasons in the NHL, Dylan DeMelo might be just the player the Blackhawks want to help out their young defensemen.

DeMelo is coming off a career-best 31 points in 82 games and an astounding +46 with the Winnipeg Jets this season. He has always been known as a reliable shutdown defender, but his solid two-way game helped to make a name for himself on the Jets' top pair.

Appearing in the playoffs five times in his career, DeMelo brings experience and leadership to any locker room as a respected veteran in the NHL.

DeMelo could be a very good fit alongside a player like Kevin Korchinski, who was often paired with Jaycob Megna after Connor Murphy's injury.

DeMelo was consistently paired with Josh Morrissey in Winnipeg has become one of the better point-producing defensemen in the NHL. Morrissey is a great puck mover and DeMelo knows exactly how to play with that style of player. Korchinski could benefit from playing with someone like DeMelo, who could be a great mentor to the young blueliner.

Entering this summer, the 31 year-old DeMelo is likely to sign a deal around 3 years which would work well with the Blackhawks contracts and how they are structured. A strong defensive and veteran presence like himself could do wonders for the team on and off the ice, making him a strong candidate for the Blackhawks to extend an offer to.

Alexandre Carrier

The youngest defenseman on this list is Alexandre Carrier of the Nashville Predators. Carrier is a 27-year-old defenseman who could be looking for a long-term deal in free agency.

After just finishing his third full season in Nashville, Carrier tallied 20 points in 70 games on a Predators team that stormed their way into the playoffs this season.

The Predators have been known for developing very effective NHL defensemen, and Carrier is no exception. He is a strong defender who plays well in transition by making strong outlet passes to the forwards.

To many, Carrier is an analytics darling which is why the Blackhawks are likely to have an eye on him. Kyle Davidson has built one of the larger analytics departments in the NHL since taking over in Chicago.

Carrier plays a very smart style of game that makes him effective at both ends of the ice which would be a welcomed addition to the Blackhawks roster. Him also being 27 years-old could land him a deal in the five or six year range, making him a possbile option for the future in Chicago as well.