3 players who could be traded this summer the Blackhawks must avoid acquiring

The Chicago Blackhawks could realistically land an enticing young talent like Trevor Zegras this offseason if a team like the Anaheim Ducks is willing to work out a deal. But there are two young players who could be on the move this offseason general manager Kyle Davidson would do a better job to keep away from, plus one experienced goaltender. 

None of the names listed are bad players, even if they have all gone through their respective struggles over the past few seasons at one time or another. But for a Blackhawks team that needs surefire talent, anyone who comes with that ‘high-risk, high-reward’ tag wouldn’t be the best option to bring to the Windy City in 2024-25. 

Morgan Frost/Philadelphia Flyers

Morgan Frost’s name continues to pop up in the rumor mill, even following what was a rather fine season with the Philadelphia Flyers this year. Frost finished fifth on the Flyers in points this past season with 41, and he also took fifth with 13 goals, but the reality is, he’s still one of the team’s more inconsistent players. 

His average time on ice decreased from 16:21 in 2022-23 to just 15:50 in 2023-24, and Frost’s overall physical edge plummeted. Also, in 2022-23, Frost seemed to be trending further north as a scorer when he notched 19 goals and a 12.3 shooting percentage, only for both numbers to decline in 2023-24 to 13 (as mentioned above) and 9.6, respectively. 

His advanced metrics showed some positivity, like a 52.5 Corsi For percentage and a 42 to 36 on-ice goals for to goals against ratio, all at even strength. In the same situation, his on-ice save percentage was a healthy 91.2 percent, so there are quite a few positives here. 

But 67.0 percent of all his starts came in the offensive zone, so that could explain the higher Corsi and goals for. Further, despite a possession quality at even strength at 13.7, Frost was still on the ice for 3.1 goals for below expected and for 4.5 more than expected in goals against. 

This was all with a very average Flyers team, indicating Frost probably wouldn’t make much of a positive impact with a rebuilding organization like the Blackhawks. 

Shane Wright/Seattle Kraken

Just to be upfront, it’s highly unlikely Shane Wright will go anywhere this year, as Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report pointed out in April. But still, his name was thrown around enough for Richardson to at least list Wright, so let’s suppose the underwhelming forward is a surprise addition to the trade block. 

If so, why shouldn’t Kyle Davidson be wise enough to try and acquire Wright despite the former fourth-overall pick’s shortcomings so far? Honestly, it’s only been two years since the Kraken drafted Wright, and his value probably hasn’t plummeted yet. I’m not saying he’s worth a first-round pick at this point, but the Blackhawks would be wiser to spend their current assets elsewhere. 

Despite playing in just eight games this past season, Wright did score four goals, and his five total points in those contests plus more overall ice time speaks of improvement - and it’s also an indicator general manager Ron Francis won’t look to move him this offseason unless it’s for a sound offer. 

If anyone acquires Wright this summer, they will overpay, and while that front office may pull off a genius move, it’s not the best decision at the moment for everyone. Keep the current assets, draft talent with potentially more upside, and if Wright went elsewhere and became a star, so be it.