Blackhawks Eyeing Two Huge Potential UFAs This Summer

The Chicago Blackhawks played their part in the blockbuster Mikko Rantanen trade by absorbing some money and dealing off Taylor Hall. But according to Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus in The Athletic, the Hawks may really "join the party" this summer, in a seismic power boost to their rebuild program by targeting Rantanen or even Mitch Marner, if either of the two superstars don't re-up with the Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively.

(With) gobs of cap space to spend, the Blackhawks could expedite this painstaking rebuilding process and be significant players in free agency.
Rantanen and Mitch Marner are very much on (GM Kyle) Davidson’s radar.

The Hawks only have about $60 million in cap space accounted for next season, according to Powers and Lazerus, so with somewhere in the neighbourhood of $35 million to spend (give or take, depending on where the salary cap lands), they could easily make "a serious run" at either of those two.

In a meeting with the media on Monday, Davidson hinted at such a scenario unfolding, saying as much as he could without getting into tampering territory.

Kyle Davidson said he's "extremely open" to bringing in an established NHL star or two via trade or free agency this summer, but he shied away from making a firm commitment to doing so.

"It's got to be there for you to act upon. If something comes along that makes sense, then…
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) January 27, 2025

"It's got to be there for you to act upon. If something comes along that makes sense, then [I'm] certainly going to act. But I can't manufacture that myself," said Davidson.

Which means, of course, he'll need some help from the Canes or the Leafs balking at the massive contract demands that will be made by Rantanen and Marner's camps.

Both players could realistically be asking for something close to the $14 million AAV range, based on the Leon Draisaitl extension signed this past summer at that number. The cap is only going up, and you can bet that the agents will be taking that fully into consideration.

If those two home run tickets aren't available, the writers suggest that the Blackhawks could pursue big-name UFAs in the next tier, like Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser or Brock Nelson.

But safe to say, after the disappointing performance of the veterans on the team this season, Davidson will be looking to reach for a higher level of vets this coming summer.