As the NHL trade deadline approaches this Friday at 3 p.m. EST, the Chicago Blackhawks are once again opting to trade players rather than acquire new talent, aiming to build for the future during a difficult season. Key players, including defenseman Connor Murphy and forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach, were traded to the Edmonton Oilers earlier this week as Chicago shifts focus to gaining valuable draft picks.
Impact of Trades on Team Morale and Future
Coach Jeff Blashill expressed mixed feelings about the departures, acknowledging the disappointment but recognizing the opportunities for the players moving on. He said,
“It’s disappointing that you can’t continue to hang together and keep growing together. They were all real committed to the growth of this group. With that said, certainly happy for them to get the opportunity, especially in Murph and Dicky’s case, just because of the age they’re at, you don’t know how many opportunities you get for this.”
The Blackhawks have struggled in recent years, with only one postseason appearance since 2017 during an expanded playoff format after the 2020 COVID-19-affected season. The team has finished last in the Central Division for three consecutive seasons, making trades to acquire picks a recurring strategy during this part of the season.
Players Reflect on Team Changes
Defenseman Alex Vlasic emphasized the emotional toll these moves take, describing the trades as expected but nonetheless difficult. He shared,
“We all kind of knew that this was part of the plan going forward. If anything, like I kind of said earlier, it is a little bit more sad just to kind of lose some of your buddies potentially.”
The Blackhawks’ goal remains to build a cohesive and growing roster, as Vlasic noted:
“We talked about it as a team. We want to become a team where we’re not losing anybody, we’re keeping the guys that we have in here.”
Possibility of Additional Player Trades
Captain Nick Foligno and forward Ilya Mikheyev could also be moved before the deadline. Foligno, now 38 and in his third season with Chicago, has begun discussions with General Manager Kyle Davidson about his future. After practice, Foligno said,
“As of right now, I’m a Chicago Blackhawk, so I’m fully invested in what we’re doing, but have obviously had that honest conversation and we’ll see where it goes.”
Draft Picks Become Team’s Biggest Asset
In return for their recent trades, the Blackhawks secured valuable draft assets, including a 2028 second-round pick from the Murphy deal, and veteran forward Andrew Mangiapane along with a conditional first-round pick in 2027 from Edmonton. The first-round selection has top-12 protection, adding potential value if it falls outside the top tier.
Following these transactions, Chicago now holds nine picks over the first two rounds across the next two drafts. This builds on the team’s previous focus on youth, having selected 11 players in the first round during the past four years. The franchise clearly views its development pipeline as critical to returning to competitiveness.
Current Season Status and Upcoming Games
With 21 games remaining in the regular season, including a Friday night game against Vancouver, the Blackhawks are still fighting through a challenging year. Their current record stands at 23-28-10, reflecting ongoing difficulties but also the potential for growth as new players integrate.
Andrew Mangiapane Joins the Blackhawks
Veteran forward Andrew Mangiapane, who will turn 30 on April 4, came to Chicago after recording seven goals and seven assists in 52 games this season with Edmonton. Previously in the minors, Mangiapane signed a two-year, $7.2 million deal with the Oilers before the trade.
Coach Blashill highlighted Mangiapane’s opportunity to restart with the Blackhawks:
“He gets an opportunity to have a clean slate here. He’s been a good player in this league. He’ll get an opportunity to be a good player here.”
Roster Updates and Injury Returns
While it remains uncertain if Mangiapane will be available for the upcoming game against Vancouver, defenseman Wyatt Kaiser is poised to return after recovering from a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, defenseman Kevin Korchinski was sent down to the AHL’s Rockford team.
