Blackhawks targeting three defensemen this summer

According to reports, the Blackhawks are targeting three defensemen this offseason which may indicate that Elliotte Friedman’s past reports, regarding Jones to Toronto, may be coming true.

With Alex Vlasic’s establishment as a top-pairing, shutdown defenseman the Blackhawks were pleasantly surprised. While the team practiced the next-man-up mentality, rookies like Ethan Del Mastro, Isaak Phillips, Wyatt Kaiser, and Louis Crevier saw ice-time during the season.

While Brandon Montour and Chris Tanev will be targets for contenders, the Blackhawks will look to improve their blueline through other means.

As attrition wore down the roster, and Connor Murphy being out long-term the team will look to add on the right-side defensive position.

Three UFAs who are available could be good additions to fill the vital need for the Blackhawks in 2024.

Matt Roy

Matt Roy is one of the NHL’s most underrated defensemen, playing for the Kings the last six years. He may not be a big-name player, but he is one of the NHL’s most reliable defensemen.

Roy in the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, has 20 points per year while being a plus player on the ice. While it doesn’t tell the whole story for any player, he had a +23 in 2021-2022 and +21 this season. He’s a flexible defenseman who can play up and down the lineup while being a responsible puck-mover and defender.

At 29, and a reliable right-shot defenseman, he will be coveted for the ability to play with versatile players, like the Blackhawks have. The Hawks have the money to make it work, but do they have the will to do so?

Dylan Demelo

Dylan Demelo of the Winnipeg Jets is a ten-year veteran of the NHL and could be the ultimate add as a mentor for the young players on the Blackhawks.

Demelo had an excellent season in 2023-2024, with a +46 and 31 points in 82 games with the Jets this year. He has earned a reputation as a solid two-way defenseman and played on the Jets’ top pair this year.

Demelo has appeared in the NHL playoffs five times in his career and his veteran leadership could provide an invaluable resource.

He could be paired with Kevin Korchinski, who was paired with Connor Murphy up until his injury this season.

Demelo played with Josh Morrissey in Winnipeg, one of the best puck-moving defensemen in the NHL, and could be a huge benefit being paired with Kevin Korchinski, who is a similar player style to Morrissey.

Demelo could sign a 3-year contract in the off-season and could fit into the Blackhawks plans, as a short-term contract and could offer leadership in the locker-room sorely needed.

Alexandre Carrier

Alexandre Carrier is the youngest defenseman in the Nashville Predators system at age 27. He could look for a long-term deal in the post-season.

His third season in Nashville saw him post 20 points in 70 games with a team that made it to the NHL playoffs.

The Predators aren’t strangers to developing great NHL defensemen and Carrier is the latest product.

He is a great defender who makes great transition passes to forwards on the ice. According to many, Carrier is an analytics favorite, which could be why Kyle Davidson may have his sights on him.

Carrier is a smart, two-way defenseman which makes him attractive to teams in the NHL, and at age 27 could land him a contract that fits him in the Blackhawk’s long-term plans.