The Chicago Blackhawks are entering what could be one of the biggest offseasons of the entire rebuild.
Yes, the 2026 NHL Draft is a huge part of the conversation, especially with Chicago holding the 4th overall pick, but the draft is only one piece of what Kyle Davidson has to figure out this summer. The Blackhawks have major cap space, a franchise superstar who needs to be locked up long term, a crowded blue line, and a chance to make a real statement in free agency.
So today, we are breaking down three moves the Blackhawks have to make this summer if they want to take the next step.
First, it starts with Connor Bedard.
The Blackhawks need to sign Bedard to an eight-year max extension the moment they are allowed to do it. This should not be complicated. Bedard is the face of the franchise, the future captain, and the player this entire rebuild is being built around.
He just finished a massive season with 30 goals and 75 points in 69 games, and he continues to put himself in elite company among the best young players in the NHL. When a player like Bedard says he wants to be in Chicago, the organization cannot waste time.
Get the pen ready. Get the contract done. Make him a Blackhawk through 2034.
The second move is where things get more difficult.
It may be time for the Blackhawks to trade Kevin Korchinski.
That is not because Korchinski has no talent. He absolutely does. He was a 7th overall pick, he can skate, he can move the puck, and there is still upside in his game. But the Blackhawks have a serious logjam on defense, especially with young left-shot defensemen.
Alex Vlasic, Wyatt Kaiser, Louis Crevier, Nolan Allan, and Ethan Del Mastro are all part of the conversation. On the right side, Chicago also has Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel, with even more defensive options possibly coming through the draft.
At some point, there just are not enough NHL minutes for everyone.
Korchinski spent most of the season in Rockford and only played a handful of NHL games. His value is still tied to his draft pedigree, skating, and upside, but that window may not stay open forever. If the Blackhawks can turn him into something they need more, especially a young top-six forward, that is the kind of move Kyle Davidson has to seriously consider.
This is what teams do when they shift from rebuilding to trying to compete.
You trade from a position of strength.
You address a position of need.
You stop collecting pieces and start building a real NHL roster.
And that leads to the third move.
The Blackhawks should make a major run at Alex Tuch in free agency.
Tuch is exactly the kind of player Chicago needs. He is a big, right-shot power winger who can score, win puck battles, drive offense, and play the heavy style the Blackhawks are missing in the top six.
Imagine a line with Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Alex Tuch.
That is not just a fun idea. That is a real NHL top line.
The price would be huge. Tuch could command a massive long-term deal, and Buffalo may do everything it can to keep him. But if he reaches free agency, the Blackhawks have to be one of the most aggressive teams in the mix.
Chicago has the cap space. Chicago has the need. Chicago has the young core. And Chicago has to start surrounding Bedard with real, proven NHL talent.
This is the summer where patience has to start turning into action.
Lock up Bedard.
Move Kevin Korchinski if the right young forward is available.
Go big for Alex Tuch.
If Kyle Davidson can pull off those three moves, the Blackhawks suddenly look a lot less like a rebuilding team and a lot more like a serious playoff threat.
Which move would you prioritize first?
Should the Blackhawks extend Bedard immediately, trade Korchinski for forward help, or go all-in for Alex Tuch in free agency?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, because this offseason could change everything in Chicago.
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What move(s) do YOU think the Chicago Blackhawks should make???
Signing Bedard is a No brainet. The would have to over pay too much for Tuch to get him to leave Buffalo. I know they have a lot of cap space. But I think it's wise to manage the cap space now, so they're not up against it later. These young guys will be getting raises once their ELC is up.
I rather see the Haeks sign a guy like A.J. Greer and a couple veteran defensemen or offer sheet Nikishkin if he has not resigned with Carolina by 7/1. I said that last season and people were mad because they wanted the kids to play. They played and it was not good. Especially when Murphy was traded and Gryzlyk went down. Now those same "let the Kids play" people are crying about the Hawks finishing second to last in the league.
Why trade Korchinski when he has negative value? Could we even get one puck and a roll of tape for him? Trade #4 pick, Lardis, and next year Florida 1st round pick for Jason Robertson. It would undoubtedly cost more but I’d start there
Better find some solid veteran defenseman
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Crevier is a right shot D man.
Also Korchinski is 21 years old, both Keith and Seabrook sucked at 21 years old. Does the name Gustav Forsling mean anything to you?
In what world does anyone give us a skilled young forward for him at this point in his career?
The free agent market is essentially dead right now, the increase in the cap has allowed teams sign their players in expiring contracts, I guarantee that Tuch will be resigned.
Also Chicago won’t be able to sign any top level FA’s until they are solid playoff contenders, Mitch Marner was one of a very few who signed with another team and he had a deal with Vegas before his contract was up.
It may have escaped your laser like notice, but most of the things this team lacks is in the pipeline and will be showing up in the next year or two,
Frondell and Kantserov will help in the scoring department, and the defense will just get better, along with Commesso becoming the backup.
But sure, let’s trade away the future and pay some 30 year old 14 mill a year till he’s pushing 40.
1. Sign Bedard.
2. Fire Blashill
3. Hire Berube or Cassidy
4. Trade some of the 100,000 picks Davidson has procured for winning veterans.
These things don't happen?
Danny Wirtz finally wakes up out of his woke fog and cans Davidson for rebuilding to consistent 30th-31st place finishes while other NHL rebuilds are in the playoffs.
Point of fact:
No team in the NHL has won when coached by a cavalcade of coaches w losing NHL records.
Richardson
Sorenson
Blashill
All hired by Davidson
Excuse me, Nolan, Allan was traded to the San Jose Sharks get your facts straight
What the Tuch are you talking about we don’t need a aging free agent
Buffalo is not letting Tuch walk.
Nolan Allen traded to the Sharks and Big Lou is a RH dman. Would love to get Tuch / McTavish and get some size up front. I like the trade with the Ducks , actually pretty fair for both sides. Two high draft picks that have had problems living up to the draft status
The Hawks have been able to extend Bedard since last summer.. He'll be signed, but I doubt it will be an 8 year deal – not because he's not committed to the Hawks and the rebuild but because the salary cap is projected to rise significantly hence 12.5 million now relative to top line players will be nothing in 8 years, or even 6 years.. Look, if he signs an 8 year deal he will likely be the most underpaid player in the league in a handful of years – and his agent knows this – not only that – but as the salary cap increases so does the maximum salary a team can pay a player… I mean the Hawks would have to pay Bedard league max now (17.5 per) to get Bedard's agent to consider it just because in 5/6 years players of his caliber WILL BE signing for 20 Mil per season and I just don't see Bedard's agent leaving that much money on the table over 8 years…… But again this has nothing to do with Bedard's desire to be here – he certainly wants to be part of this, I have no doubt about that – so this has more to do with salary cap economics than anything else… And honestly from the Hawks perspective I'm sure this isn't even a money issue – it's just a term issue – obviously the Hawks would LOVE 8 years, but I think Bedards agent is thinking more along the lines of 5/6 years to allow the salary cap to rise so Bedard can sign for 20+ million per on his next deal… Either way a deal will obviously get done but I don't see it being an 8 year deal, I mean as a Hawks fan I would LOVE to see an 8 year deal but as an objective person looking at this from an impartial perspective – Bedard's agent is going to do what in the best interests of his client and if I were his agent THAT is what I'd be thinking.. I'd be asking for 4 years 14-15 million per season, but I'd expect to settle in the middle at 6 years 13 Million… Look, I'm just being realistic..
Trade Korchinski for what? he has little trade value on his own.. I mean I wouldn't be opposed to trading him, but I wouldn't trade him just to do it – I wouldn't just give up on him and trade him for a 2nd round pick…. I mean if Davidson wants to move up to #2 in the draft and toss Korchinski in as a sweetener along with the 4th overall pick? ok, that's fine – especially since I think Davidson will give Florida some future picks (including their own 2027 first) they can use at the trade deadline for the 8th overall pick trading Korchinski would make sense because there will still be some really solid defenseman around at 8th overall.. If you don't know, Florida has no future picks/assets they can use as trade currency at the trade deadline to improve their roster for a Cup Run which is why they would do that trade. Basically Davidson trades Florida a package of future picks for Florida NOT exercising their top 10 protections/conditions on the 2026 first.. And since this is a deep draft for defensemen, there will be some great D-Men still around at 8th overall so trading up to 2nd overall and then sending Florida a package of futures for 8th overall makes total sense from the perspective of all teams involved.. San Jose wants defense, so they can draft Chase Reid (or whomever is on their radar) and add Kevin Korshinski in the process for drafting the guy they wanted anyway – and of course Florida gets their future trade currency so they can bloster their roster for a Cup Run when the trade deadline comes around and of course the Hawks get Stenberg and one of the top defensemen in the draft – it's a win-win for everyone because it takes care of all teams involved needs..
Oh, and then on July 1st Davidson needs to sign Patrick Kane because he's an ideal short-term solution for Connor Bedard – not only that – but he's pretty much the ONLY UFA with a hockey IQ that matches Bedards, and it will also give Davidson a couple of years to find a long-term solution for Bedard, not only that but Kane brings veteran leadership to the locker room, experience, he knows how to win and those are the type of players you want around a young still developing core.. And I know what most reading this will say BUT you young Hawks fans dont understand the importance of experience and veteran leadership – you wont get it until you're older – and that doesn't just go for hockey or sports it goes for life in general.. These kids need to be taught how to win – winning is a learned, a winning voice in the locker room matters… I'm sure Kane has plenty to teach Bedard – not only that – he's the perfect fit for Bedard, you're NOT going to find anyone better than Kane for Bedard right now without giving up a plethora of assets, and Kane will cost the Hawks nothing, and it's a low risk/high reward signing… Besides, I'm 100% certain Davidson is bringing him back so.. Well, unless Davidson makes a blockbuster trade at the draft – even then I still think Davidson will try to bring back Kane.. I mean you bring Kane back and make a few tweaks, along with progress in development from the kids and this team is a playoff team – just like that..