6 Blackhawks Likely Playing Their Final Games in Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks enter the season's second half sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings. That is great for the Tankathon.com/NHL standings and the NHL Lottery Draft chances of landing the No. 1 overall pick. The winner gets the right to draft generational talent Macklin Celebrini. It is not so great when it comes to watching the current version of the Blackhawks.

The offense stinks. The team cannot win. Connor Bedard is on injured reserve and probably will not return to the ice until March.

There are still reasons to watch this team during the second half. You at least have five good matchups to watch including Patrick Kane's return to the United Center.

You could still watch if you have an attachment to a couple of players who are set to either be moved at the trade deadline or will be allowed to walk in free agency after the season.

At least six players are finishing out their time with the Blackhawks in the second half of the season.

Unless something dramatically changes, these players are not likely to be re-signed in the offseason, or general manager Kyle Davidson will try to move before the trade deadline.

Tyler Johnson

Hopefully, he will be ready to return from injured reserve after the All-Star break. The Hawks sent Cole Guttman back to Rockford when the break started, so hopefully that is a sign he will be returning.

The veteran center is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season. It is highly unlikely the Blackhawks will pay a player set to be 34 next season, especially with Frank Nazar III rumored to sign his entry-level deal soon.

He is probably the only moveable asset the Blackhawks have at the trade deadline that will bring back a decent return with all his playoff experience. The New York Rangers might be a team interested in acquiring him.

Colin Blackwell

He has been very good since returning from an injury that wiped out half of his 2022-23 season and the early part of this season. You would think the Hawks might want to give him a short-term extension to have him around to help groom the prospects coming in. At the same time, he is probably the only other Blackhawk that could fetch a draft pick from a contender looking for some help on the fourth line.

Plus, the Blackhawks have Joey Anderson who they can re-sign in restricted free agency to fill his role. In addition, prospects Gavin Hayes and Landon Slaggert will need ice time and can fill Blackwell's role next season.

Boris Katchouk

He has already been placed on waivers once this season. Although, his four goals since Connor Bedard went down might give him a shot at being retained in the offseason.

Then again, the front office was already willing to give up on him once. They got plenty of other forwards in their prospect pool that can do what Boris does.

MacKenzie Entwistle

Another bottom-six player who can center a line or play on the wing. The problem is he has been with the organization for six years and he still has shown that is all he will be. He is a great depth piece and a guy who can get under a team's skin. He simply will have run out of time as the Hawks have other prospects that will be cheaper and can fill his role.

Reese Johnson

The man skates hard every night. The Hawks need more players who skate hard with more skill.

Nikita Zaitsev

He was a "bad contract" the Chicago Blackhawks took on to get a draft pick. He has had a nice season after a terrible debut second half with the team last season. The problem is the Blackhawks have too many young defensemen who need ice time next year.

Jarred Tinordi

Another veteran defenseman who is caught up in a numbers game that will see him leave in the offseason. Although, he has had a terrible season.