Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks have put the NHL on notice with strong showings in the 2025-26 season. However, for an organization with the third youngest roster in the league, itās all about playing the long game. Planning for the future means exploring the market for veterans to make room for exciting prospects, and that is exactly what the Hawks are doing.
The NHL trade deadline is still a long ways aheadāset for March 6 at 3pm ETābut itās never too early for teams to receive calls and knock on doors around the league. On that note, a report indicates the Blackhawks have been doing their due diligence on some veteran teammates of Bedard and company.
āFrank Seravalli mentioned on the pregame show that the Blackhawks have received ālots of callsā to this point on Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy. He said both are ālikelyā to be moved by the trade deadline to open up spots for [Anton] Frondell, [Sam] Rinzel, and potentially others,ā as reported by @BlackhawksFocus on X.
Dickinson and Murphyās contract situation
Both Dickinson (30) and Murphy (32) are playing the final year of their contracts with the Blackhawks. Set to become unrestricted free agents (UFAs) this summer, their career timelines arenāt quite in sync with Chicagoās, which is on track to boast one of the most electric young squads in the NHL.
Jason Dickinson (left) and Connor Murphy (right)
A change of scenery, therefore, seems imminent. If the Hawks canāt find a trade partner before the deadline, theyāll likely watch the two veterans walk as UFAs. Dickinsonās deal, which carries a $4.25 million cap hit, includes no job security, so finding a trading team shouldnāt be too difficult.
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Murphy, however, has a 10-team no-trade clause included in his contract. When thereās a will, thereās a way, though, so Chicago should still be able to make something happen with the 21 remaining options for Murphyās next destination.
