Why the Chicago Blackhawks Should Bring Back Adam Boqvist

In a surprising move today, the Columbus Blue Jackets placed Adam Boqvist on waivers with the purpose of buying out the final year of his contract.

If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Boqvist was a part of the infamous trade that brought Seth Jones to Chicago. At just 23 years old and with 209 NHL games to his name, Boqvist will have several suitors if he hits the free-agent market.

Should the Chicago Blackhawks be one of them?

Once seen as the future of the defense corps in Chicago, Boqvist was rushed to the NHL at 19. The offensive-minded blue liner struggled defensively in parts of two seasons in a Hawks sweater and contributed just 29 points in 76 games.

He fared slightly better in Columbus, notching 16 goals and 46 points over his first 98 games with the Jackets. But his defensive woes continued as he had a -23 plus/minus rating during that period.

Last season, the Swede couldn’t manage consistent minutes on a weak Blue Jackets roster and appeared in only 35 games.

So, why should Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson bring Boqvist back to the Windy City?

While Boqvist was Stan Bowman’s draft pick, Davidson would have been part of Boqvist’s scouting process. They saw enough potential in him to select him 8th overall and give him a substantial NHL role at a young age.

And, to be fair to Boqvist, he’s never truly been put in a position to succeed during his career. In Chicago, he was supposed to be a franchise savior, and in Columbus, he never got a chance to be a top-pair defenseman.

If Boqvist were to return to Chicago, he could serve as a stopgap. He could play every night in the NHL while giving prospects such as Ethan Del Mastro, Isaak Phillips, and Wyatt Kaiser more time to marinate in Rockford.

Furthermore, he can play the up-tempo, offensive game Davidson is seeking to instill into his young roster. He will come cheap, likely on a one-year deal, and who knows? Maybe Boqvist plays well enough to earn a longer-term contract with the organization that drafted him.

With only four regular NHL defensemen signed for next season, there is a place for Boqvist in the Hawks’ lineup. At 23, Boqvist has a lot of career left in front of him, and Chicago could be the perfect place to revitalize it.