According to Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers of The Athletic, expect the Chicago Blackhawks to be in the bidding for one of defenseman Seth Jones or Dougie Hamilton. Jones might be available via trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Hamilton is pending unrestricted free agent and can sign anywhere he’d like this summer.
The scribes note that the Blackhawks aren’t willing to sell the farm to land either player, but say they’ll be in the running for both if the price is right. The expected ask for Jones via trade, according to one source, is at least a first-round draft pick, a second-round draft pick and a high-end prospect. As for what Hamilton might command in the free agent market, he could get as much as $8 – $8.5 million per season on a long-term deal.
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“We like them both,” a source said. “Hamilton is more of an offensive defenseman. Jones is probably more of a two-way defenseman.” The source goes on to suggest that In the case of Hamilton, he’s probably going to want a long contract, and the Blackhawks are fine with that. But, it’s the salary per year they’re concerned about. If Hamilton is looking for a deal like Alex Pietrangelo’s, (8 years x $8.8-million cap hit), the Blackhawks will probably walk away.
When it comes to Jones, the belief is that picks and prospects could get the deal done, but there’s some chatter that maybe the Blackhawks would have to include Kirby Dach in the deal. It’s not clear if the Blackhawks are willing to go there, but one source said they might deem it worth doing.
Zadorov May Be Key to Any Deals
One of the key questions for Chicago is whether or not they pursue an extension with defenseman Nikita Zadorov, The 26-year-old restricted free agent d-man is understandably looking for his first big contract. The source said Zadorov’s is looking for $5.85 million average annual value (AAV).
If the Blackhawks deem that to be too rich a number, will they move him as part of any trade? Zadorov has arbitration rights, and the Blackhawks don’t want to go there with the player.
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