The Chicago Blackhawks are done trying to build around an aging core by adding more expensive and aging players. New general manager Kyle Davidson said when he was hired that they’re entering a rebuild.

The obvious question is what does this mean for franchise cornerstones, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews? Both have one more year remaining on their contract and could be used as pieces to kickstart the rebuild. On the other hand, they could decide to keep both in the organization to lead the next group of young players.

What complicates matters for the Blackhawks is they don’t have a first-round pick this season. They would have picked sixth overall, but it was only top two protected from the Seth Jones trade. Therefore, the Columbus Blue Jackets are now in possession of that pick.

As a result, you would think Davidson wants to acquire a first-rounder in some kind of trade this offseason. That’s where Kane, Toews, and Alex DeBrincat come back into the picture.

However, if you came here looking for a Patrick Kane trade discussion, you won’t find it. It’s an extremely unlikely scenario, in my opinion.

Blackhawks Offseason Outlook

2022-23 Projected Cap Space (via Cap Friendly): $21.079 million

Key Restricted Free Agents: Kirby Dach, Dominik Kubalik (arbitration-eligible), Caleb Jones (arbitration-eligible), and Dylan Strome (arbitration-eligible)

Key Unrestricted Free Agents: Calvin de Haan, Erik Gustafsson, and Kevin Lankinen

1. Brett Connolly | W | Age 30 | One year, $3.5 million

This acquisition would be a move to get the Sabres closer to the salary cap floor. At this point in his career, Connolly is at best a 13th forward on the roster. The Blackhawks buried the veteran winger in the AHL for the majority of the season.

The Sabres could acquire a mid-to-late round draft pick to add some depth to their roster. If he’s beat out in camp they can send him down to the AHL. He was a productive player for Rockford this season and could provide some veteran leadership for the Amerks.

2. Connor Murphy | RD | Age 29 | Four years, $4.4 million

I’m putting Murphy on the list because he was one of my favorite ideas for acquiring a right-shot defenseman a few months ago. However, he missed the last few months with a concussion after a scary hit. He did get on the ice a few times before the season ended and discussed that he was feeling good.

You’ll see in Evolving Hockey’s model below that Murphy is a solid defensive-defenseman. In theory, he could be a good partner for Owen Power.

Outside of the concussion concerns, the contract is something else to take into account here. The style of game he plays isn’t something I would be too concerned with dropping off with age. Having said that, I’m not sure the Sabres are in a position where they want to commit to a player that will turn 30-years-old next season for the four years remaining on his deal.

The other part of the contract that he signed with the Blackhawks before this past season is that it carries a modified no-trade clause. It kicks in when the new NHL league year starts. Murphy provides a 10-team no-trade list. The Sabres may be on that list.

Murphy is still a decent option in my book, but he’s no longer at the top of the list like he was around the trade deadline.

3. Alex DeBrincat | W | Age 24 | One year, $6.4 million

I go back and forth on DeBrincat. I find it hard to believe the Blackhawks would want to move on from him. Then I think about how he could net them the biggest return of any player on their roster. It makes sense for a team just entering a rebuild to try to capitalize on the value.

There’s no denying that we’re talking about one of the more offensively gifted players in the league. You notice him whenever you watch the Blackhawks and his numbers back it up.

Micah McCurdy’s isolated impact model shows that he drives offense, is responsible defensively, and is an excellent finisher. The Sabres don’t have a lot of room to fit in another winger on their roster, but if there’s a deal there to be made you find room for a player of his skill set.

There are two things where it gets complicated for the Sabres when you try to figure out if this type of trade makes sense for them. First, it’s the likely acquisition cost. Are the Sabres in a position to trade a first-round pick this year and a few more high-end assets?

Wouldn’t it make sense for the Sabres to use those assets elsewhere to address their needs in goal and on the blue line?

The other complicating factor is his contract. He has one year remaining on his current deal and will be an arbitration-eligible restricted-free-agent that will be one year away from UFA status. Doesn’t put the Sabres in the best negotiating position.

DeBrincat’s contract situation gets cloudier when you realize he has one of those final year “poison pills” in his deal. His salary next season is $9 million. That would mean that his qualifying offer after next season would need to be $9 million.

I know the Sabres have plenty of cap space, but is that where you want to commit that type of cap space on a long-term contract?

I don’t see the Blackhawks as a good trading partner for the Sabres this offseason. They don’t offer them much to fill the needs that they have. They’ll be looking for young pieces and draft picks to start their rebuild. The Sabres don’t appear to be in a position to make those moves just yet.

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

Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images