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3 names from Frank Seravalli's trade targets who could make sense for the Chicago Blackhawks

By Ethan Gawronski |
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The 2024 NHL Draft is just a few short weeks away, and talk over possible moves continues to heat up.

Last week saw the Blackhawks finalize a trade with the New York Islanders to move up in the draft by giving up the 20th, 54th, and 61st picks in the draft in exchange for the 18th and 50th selections. Early reactions to the trade were that the Blackhawks might have made a move too early and seemed like one that could have been completed on draft day. However, this could be a sign of things to come.

Going into the upcoming offseason, the Blackhawks are looking to improve. Players and management both were vocal about taking another step next season and not finishing bottom-three in the NHL standings for a third straight season.

Kyle Davidson already opened the trade market by trading up from 20th overall, and there will be more moves coming as the offseason continues. The team has lots of draft picks stockpiled and cap space which could both be used as assets in potential trades to bring in players that can step in and make the roster better for next season.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli has released his Trade Targets board which highlights 20 players who could draw some interest ahead of the offseason. Of the players Seravalli has mentioned in his list, there are quite a few players who could make sense for the Blackhawks to look into acquiring.

From the Trade Targets list, certain players such as Mitch Marner (Toronto), Arthur Kaliyev (Los Angeles), Kaapo Kakko (New York Rangers), and Tevor Zegras (Anaheim) have all been written about here at BlackhawkUp as potential targets for the Blackhawks, so they will not be in this list.

The Blackhawks are likely to go after a player in their mid-twenties who is at an age where they can be a part of the future in Chicago. Adding more scoring options will be a key target this summer for Kyle Davidson after the team was dead-last in goals scored throughout the NHL last season.

These three players on Seravalli's board could make sense for the Blackhawks to try and acquire.

Andrew Mangiapane

Coming in at #17 on Seravalli's board is Calgary Flames forward Andrew Mangiapane.

The 28-year old forward is coming off of a down year in Calgary which saw him score 14 goals and 40 points over 75 games. His best season to date was the 2021-22 campaign, where Mangiapane scored a career-high 35 goals and 55 points.

Since his career season, the Calgary Flames have experienced a lot of turnover both on and off the ice, and the team has not been able to get back into the playoffs since. Mangiapane is a player who has remained a 40 point player during the last two seasons, but many know there is another level to his game.

Mangiapane really got his name known more throughout the league during the 2020-21 World Championships where he had 11 points in 7 games, winning tournament MVP. He was also teammates with Connor Bedard at the 2023-24 World Championships, where Mangiapane wore a "A" on his jersey.

He is a very strong two-way player who knows how to create offense and can be a presence on both the powerplay and penalty kill. As more young players make their way to the Blackhawks roster, Mangiapane could be a very nice complementary piece alongside them. Being in a role where he gets more consistent top-six minutes could help to bring his scoring up.

Mangiapane will be entering the final year of his contract paying him $5.8 million per season. The Blackhawks likely would want to talk about an extension before making a move. His modified no-trade clause also means he gets more leverage in where he goes. However, if he is available, the Blackhawks and Mangiapane could be a good fit for each other.

Morgan Frost

Philadelphia Flyers' center Morgan Frost is the 13th player on Seravalli's trade board.

Frost's 2022-23 season was his best in the NHL, with 19 goals and 46 points, showing he can be a capable producer at the NHL level. This season, however, Frost struggled to stay in the Flyers lineup early on, resulting in the 25-year-old being a healthy scratch.

After not having a consistent spot in the lineup, Frost bounced back with 30 points in his final 44 games, finishing the season with 41 points in 71 games. His second-half performance is more indicative of the kind of player Frost is, which can be enticing for the Blackhawks who are looking to add offense.

Frost is a former first-round pick who looks ready to break out with an increased role on a team with more offensive weapons. The Blackhawks could allow Frost to be the second-line center behind Connor Bedard while possibly seeing time on the first powerplay unit.

After this season, Frost has one more year left on his contract at $2.1 million. If he performs like he did in the back half of this season, he will be due a raise going into the prime of his career.

Seravalli reports that the Flyers won't hesitate the keep Frost unless it's for the right price. The Flyers powerplay and offense in general were not elite this season which did not benefit Frost. Perhaps a change of scenery with increased ice-time could benefit him into becoming a part of the Blackhawks future.

Martin Necas

The fourth player on Frank Seravalli's board is Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas.

Necas has been linked as a possible fit for the Blackhawks ever since it came out that the Hurricanes may trade the 25-year-old after speculation that he wants to play a larger role in the NHL.

The former 2017 first-round pick just completed his fifth full season in the NHL with 24 goals and 53 points in 77 games. He is a talented offensive-minded player who can produce at a high level. His 2022-23 season was a breakout year for Necas, as he tallied 28 goals and 71 points.

After losing to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Necas took his talents to the World Championships where his shiftiness and creativity were in full effect. His seven points in five games helped Czechia win the gold in front of their hometown fans.

Necas would be a big add for the Blackhawks offense as it gives them a highly skilled winger that could possibly play alongside Connor Bedard. There would be a big opportunity for Necas to get the role he desires in Chicago, with the possibility of him playing top-line minutes and top powerplay time as well.

Going into this summer, Necas is a restricted free agent which means the Hurricanes would have to trade his rights away. As we get closer to the draft, we may know more about what Carolina wants in return for Necas. The Blackhawks would likely be on the list of interested teams and a player of his skill level could be a great addition for the present and future in Chicago.

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