We sit one week away for the Chicago Blackhawks selecting first overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, a draft in which they will likely be selecting Connor Bedard. Bedard is the clear cut #1 prospect heading into the NHL draft and the Blackhawks will make him there new franchise player but who will be around this generational player, the Blackhawks answered some of those questions on Wednesday.
Joey Anderson re-signs with Blackhawks
An acquisition at the trade deadline in a deal that sent Sam Lafferty and Jake McCabe to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blackhawks acquired Joey Anderson. In his 24 games with the Blackhawks, Anderson found a home in the bottom six where he scored four goals and two assists while also playing the style that coach Luke Richardson prefers.
A good forechecker that plays with a lot of controlled energy, Anderson isn’t going to more than a fringe third line winger in his career but is a player I believe can contribute in a fourth line role on this Blackhawks team.
Anderson’s deal with the Blackhawks is a one-year, two-way deal paying him $800,000. While he won’t need to pass through waivers to go down to the AHL, I think Anderson will find himself getting the bulk of his playing time in the NHL next season.
RFA Anders Bjork to be non-tendered
According to Scott Powers of The Athletic, it appears as though the Blackhawks will not be tendering forward Anders Bjork a contract for next season. Bjork was due a $1.8 million qualifying offer and many around the NHL knew he would not be receiving that qualifying offer.
While they won’t be picking up Bjork’s qualifying offer it doesn’t preclude them from bringing him back next season. Bjork had a solid showing with the Blackhawks, in 13 games Bjork scored 2 goals and 6 assists but was limited down the stretch after suffering an injury on March 10th.
I would not be opposed to the Blackhawks bringing back Bjork to see what they can get out of him but I would prefer infusing some younger and more dynamic talent into the line up rather than utilizing Bjork in an elevated role.
Tarasenko to the Hawks?
During the 32 Thoughts Podcast, insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned that he believes the Blackhawks will be looking to bring in some high end, short term talent to the top of their line up. In prior podcast Friedman had mentioned Ivan Barbashev as a possible target but pivoted to the name Vladimir Tarasenko.
Tarasenko, 32, is coming off a solid season that ended in playoff disappointment for the New York Rangers and is hitting the market for the first time in his NHL career. While the Russian forward does bring a mix of skills that I believe would benefit this young core of forwards, I just don’t see the fit for Tarasenko.
This is likely his final shot at a major contract for Tarasenko and I have to believe he will try and cash in a week free agent market. If he was willing to take a two-year high AAV contract with the Hawks I am all for it but It just does not feel realistic at this time.
The Hawk Line 