Blackhawks reporter reveals that the Hawks and Leafs could be working on a trade
The Chicago Blackhawks are about to embark upon a top-to-bottom rebuild, which means that they're at the point where problem contracts are no problem for them. It's likely that the Hawks will do what teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Arizona Coyotes have done in recent years; take on money in exchange for picks and prospects to help accelerate their rebuild.
The Hawks were already rumoured to have had talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs around the trade deadline. It is believed that talks have continued to occur throughout the offseason and now those talks may be headed somewhere.
According to The Athletic's Scott Powers, who covers the Chicago Blackhawks, the Hawks are expected to work with the Leafs on a deal that would see Petr Mrazek land in Chicago as a cap dump with the Hawks also figuring to receive picks and/or prospects in the deal.
Mrazek is on the books for $3.8M for two more seasons, but the money he is owed is actually higher than his cap hit. The Czech netminder will earn $4.2M this season and $4.4M next season in actual salary. As compensation for taking on the most expensive years of his deal, the Hawks are likely to receive a high pick or a very good prospect.
I wouldn't rule out a larger deal either. If there are pieces in Chicago that GM Kyle Dubas is interested in, it would only make sense to work out a larger deal with several pieces moving on both sides.
| POLL | ||
6 JUILLET | 519 ANSWERS Blackhawks reporter reveals that the Hawks and Leafs could be working on a trade What will happen with Mrazek this summer? | ||
| He'll be dealt to Chicago | 237 | 45.7 % |
| Buyout city | 96 | 18.5 % |
| He'll remain in Toronto | 107 | 20.6 % |
| He'll be traded to a team other than Chicago | 79 | 15.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
