The Chicago Blackhawks are an interesting team to think about. They’re a team in transition with some aging veterans and young players starting to make an impact. They technically made the playoffs this past season by defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the play-in round.

However, they were no match the Vegas Golden Knights and were dispatched in five games in the first round. The Hawks have been stuck in hockey purgatory for a few years and may lose their franchise goaltender Corey Crawford to free agency.

They’re still getting great production from their two stars in Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. The question is how much longer will that continue? The Blackhawks are trying to retool on the run, but they may run out of time if their two top players start to slide. With some big restricted free agents owed contracts this offseason, the limited cap space isn’t going to make it easy for the Blackhawks to improve their roster.

Blackhawks Offseason Outlook

2020-21 Projected Cap Space (via Cap Friendly): $8.04 million

Key Restricted Free Agents: Dylan Strome, Drake Caggiula (arbitration-eligible), Malcolm Subban, Dominik Kubalik (arbitration-eligible), and Slater Koekkoek (arbitration-eligible)

Key Unrestricted Free Agents: Corey Crawford

Projected Needs: Cap space, goaltender, and defense

1. Brandon Saad | Winger | Age 27 | One-year, $6 million

Now, that the Sabres have found their second-line center in Eric Staal, they can start to explore the market on top-six wingers. The Blackhawks offer a few options that could fill the Sabres need at the position. Brandon Saad is the one at the top of the list.

Multiple league sources have indicated to me that the Sabres have expressed interest in the 27-year-old winger. There’s not a trade that is imminent here, but the two sides have had conversations about the player. Saad does carry a modified no-trade clause in which he submits a list of 10 teams he can be traded to, according to Cap Friendly.

That could be a problem for the Sabres, however, he could look to take the Jeff Skinner route and accept a move to Buffalo. He’s going to be an unrestricted free agent next offseason and could look at it as an opportunity to produce on a line with Jack Eichel.

Saad is a solid play-driving winger that can also add some speed to the Sabres lineup. He has scored at least 20 goals in five of the last six years. He ranked 36th among all forwards last season in even-strength offense, according to Evolving Hockey’s expected goals above replacement model.

We’ll see if anything comes of this interest in Saad. He’d give the Sabres a legitimate top-six for the first time in a while. 

2. Dylan Strome | C | Age 23 | RFA

Strome has been a name that Sabres fans have discussed for a few months now as a solution to their need at center. The addition of Staal may reduce the need to make this move, but you can never have too many centers. 

At this point, Staal is only going to be around for one year and the Sabres still likely need at least one more body down the middle. If the Blackhawks do make Strome available, there’s no reason Kevyn Adams shouldn’t inquire about the cost. 

His 58 games with the Blackhawks this season was not as good as the 58 he put together last year. Regardless, Strome is still a player that can be an impact player offensively.

The issue with fit here could be Strome’s shortcomings defensively. Eichel isn’t a great defensive player and while Staal has improved in that regard, he’s still not someone that you want in a defensive role.

3. Drake Caggiula | Winger | Age 26 | RFA (arbitration-eligible)

Caggiula would be a bottom-six addition to the lineup if the Sabres are looking for some depth. He’s battled injuries the last few years but has been a productive player when healthy.

He’s a player that can move up the lineup in injury situations and give you some special teams minutes. The former North Dakota winger hasn’t lived up to the hype as a free agent signing out of collegiate hockey, but he’s carved out a role a nice depth player.

Data via: Hockeyviz.com, Cap Friendly, and Evolving Hockey

Photo Credit: Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images