On the eve of NHL free agency, the Blackhawks did not issue qualifying offers to a large portion of their potential restricted free agents before the deadline Sunday.
Only defensemen Isaak Phillips and Louis Crevier received qualifying offers that will allow the Hawks to retain their rights past Monday, according to a source.
Forwards Joey Anderson, Taylor Raddysh, MacKenzie Entwistle, Reese Johnson and Michal Teply, defenseman Filip Roos and goaltender Jaxson Stauber did not receive qualifying offers. They will become unrestricted free agents Monday at 11 a.m.
Raddysh could draw some interest from other teams as an affordable depth option, but it’s understandable why the Hawks decided to move on after a precipitous drop-off in production from 2022-23 to 2023-24.
He scored 20 goals in ’22-23 and only five last season, including none after Dec. 14. A total reversal in finishing ability — some bad luck played a role — was the biggest factor as his shooting percentage dropped from 15.5% to 4.2%. He also didn’t find his way into dangerous areas around the crease as often.
On the other hand, he was able to repurpose himself as more of a defensive forward and went from having never killed penalties in the NHL to being a reliable member of the Hawks’ penalty kill. He also became close friends away from the rink with young Connor Bedard, whom he helped acclimate to Chicago.
As of Tuesday, Raddysh hadn’t heard from the Hawks and very much hoped to re-sign, so he’ll likely be disappointed by this outcome.
Anderson was an underrated bright spot in the second half last season, operating as a consistent linemate for Jason Dickinson during his breakout season. Anderson set NHL career highs of 55 games and 17 points and made his biggest impact defensively, leading the Hawks with a 46.8% scoring-chance ratio during five-on-five play.
Despite not receiving a qualifying offer, Anderson still could re-sign with the Hawks, who might’ve been worried about giving him arbitration rights — which issuing a qualifying offer would have done — more than anything. He said in April that he would “love to be a part of [the Hawks] in whatever extent that may be.”
Phillips, 22, and Crevier, 23, struggled mightily in their 33 and 24 games, respectively, last season. They finished with scoring-chance ratios during five-on-five play under 40%. They weren’t exactly put in the best situations to succeed, though, and they’re still young enough to improve.
Neither one holds arbitration rights, so they won’t have much leverage in contract negotiations with the Hawks this summer. Once signed, they’ll compete for NHL jobs during training camp but more likely will start the season back in Rockford.
Meanwhile, pending UFA Sam Lafferty, whose rights were acquired from the Canucks last week, will need to be signed by Monday or the Hawks’ exclusive window will expire.
General manager Kyle Davidson is expected to scour the leaguewide free-agent pool Monday for options that could fit the Hawks’ unusual cap situation — flush with cash in the short term but very hesitant to tie up cash long-term.
More talent up and down the forward depth chart (including better linemate options for Bedard), a veteran second-pairing defenseman (who could stabilize Kevin Korchinski) and a veteran goalie willing to compete for the backup job could be on his wish list.
UFA forwards Jonathan Marchessault, Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Toffoli and Jake DeBrusk and UFA defensemen Alexandre Carrier, Matt Dumba, Tyson Barrie and Jani Hakanpaa could be possibilities.
Note: The Hawks’ development camp will begin Monday with 30 prospects present, including all eight 2024 draft picks. There is one free-agent invitee: Ben Gaudreau, a 21-year-old goalie originally drafted by the Sharks.
