One pending free agent the Blackhawks can steal from their Central Division rivals this summer

Sean Monahan, Forward/Winnipeg Jets

If the Winnipeg Jets get back on track and peak in the playoffs, Sean Monahan will have played a role. He’s been nothing short of a success with the Jets this season following a trade earlier this year from the Montreal Canadiens. 

Since joining the Jets, Monahan has 18 points in 26 games, 10 goals, and a shooting percentage of 19.6. Monahan has been winning faceoffs consistently, and he’s also logged, on average, nearly three takeaways for every five games he’s played in, good for 0.57 per game. 

He would give the Blackhawks a hand in all three zones and on special teams, and he’s also showing signs as a prime puck mover - 54.1 percent Corsi For at 5-on-5 with Winnipeg. For context, his career Corsi For sits at 49.7, but there is clearly more offense here than we have seen across most of his 11 seasons in the league - sans his 82-point and 34-goal outbreak in 2018-19. 

Monahan wouldn’t come cheap, but the Blackhawks have enough space to ink him to a lucrative deal to lure him to the Windy City. It may be tough to bring Monahan in since the Blackhawks aren’t close to competing, but a player in the thick of his prime would provide an excellent example for this rebuilding organization. 

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)