Both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets finished at the bottom of the standings this season, but both are looking to make pretty quick turnarounds over the offseason. As the Blackhawks are set to draft a generational talent in Connor Bedard and would like to surround him with more talented NHL players, it is now known that they are willing to take on bad contracts so that they can gain some draft capital. As of right now, Columbus is a bit ahead of them in the rebuild, but with the talent each team has or is expected to have, it’s not expected to be long before they rise up the standings.
The Blue Jackets have Elvis Merzlikins as their starting goalie and he’s locked in for four more years at $5.4 million AAV. That is not an ideal contract for a team that is hoping to get better considering the numbers just haven’t been good at all. Some fault can be put on the very inexperienced and banged up defense, but at a certain point the team is going to need some saves, regardless of who is in front of him. With so many young and talented players already drafted, using a pick or two to move Merzlikins and open up a spot in goal is a good idea, especially considering the goaltender market this offseason is strong. That doesn’t happen all too often.
Why Would the Blackhawks Make This Move?
As I mentioned, general manager of the Blackhawks, Kyle Davidson, is looking to add some bad contracts this offseason. Generally, that means taking on more veteran players who at one point contributed a lot to their teams. But in this case, it might not make sense to just run with Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom right now. Mrazek has just one year left on his deal before the Blackhawks will part ways with him. As the Blackhawks might take a couple of years before they are in contention for a playoff spot, this will give them a chance to run with Merzlikins and a more experienced Soderblom in 2024-25.
Related: Cap Dumps the Blackhawks Can Take on This Offseason
Taking on Merzlikins won’t fetch the Blackhawks the Blue Jackets’ third overall pick, but it could very well get them a first rounder and more. Generational players do change a franchise, but it doesn’t happen overnight. The Edmonton Oilers didn’t make the playoffs in Connor McDavid’s first year and neither did the Pittsburgh Penguins with Sidney Crosby. Despite Chicago set to draft Bedard, some free agent goalies might not want to go there right now as they aren’t in an immediate position to win. Merzlikins does have a 10-team no-trade clause and I have a feeling the Blue Jackets will not want to waste any more time with Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine, and company under contract. This trade is right for both teams in the position they are in.
