Former Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman was once again in the NHL spotlight this past week as he and the Oilers elected to not match the offer sheets the Blues had given Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. It was admittedly a shrewd move for a team without any cap space, freeing up almost $7 million in cap space while getting back a decent amount of draft capital for the future. Still, it was enough to send the hockey world into a frenzy, with two pretty big names being moved on the same day.
After making those moves, Blues GM Doug Armstrong spoke with the media, denying that there was any “GM code not to do offer sheets,” and that he saw an opportunity to add two solid players for a more-than-reasonable cost by taking advantage of the Oilers’ cap situation.
If this week’s moves are a sign of what’s to come, the Blackhawks are perfectly positioned to explore the offer sheet option. Now that Chicago is more focused on adding NHL stars than more pipeline talent, they should be able to use their current cap space and draft capital in the coming years to grab a few big names. They would have to give up anywhere from a third-round pick to a handful of first-rounders if an offer goes unmatched, but already have eight picks in rounds one and two in 2025 and 2026 combined to work with. With a handful of marquee free agents needing to be paid next summer, 2025 could be a great time for the Blackhawks to take advantage of more cap-strapped teams while fortifying their own roster with bona fide stars.
Jake Oettinger
I understand that the possibility of snatching one of the elite goalies of today’s game is an eyebrow-raiser, but it’s certainly something Chicago will be keeping in mind. We’ve heard rumblings this week about the Blackhawks potentially making an offer for top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov, but there haven’t been any official reports that they’re working something out. If they don’t go in that direction, the possibility of bringing in Oettinger is more than intriguing.
Oettinger will be 26 years old when he becomes an RFA next summer, coming off of a season in which he was paid $4 million to be one of the best goalies in the NHL. His salary will certainly go up at that point, with an expected annual value approaching $9 million. I’d certainly cough that up for an elite goaltender in his prime. I don’t have a problem with giving up a pick in each of the first three rounds, either.
Throwing an offer sheet at Oettinger is a win-win for the Blackhawks. The Stars will be cap-strapped for the next few years, having committed almost $50 million to nine players on their roster for the 2025-26 season. If Dallas didn’t match the offer sheet, Chicago would be able to painlessly acquire one of the best goalies in the game. If the Stars did match it, it would significantly cripple them even more financially, meaning the Blackhawks would be able to hurt their division rivals.
JJ Peterka
Peterka may not have quite the same name recognition as Oettinger has around the league, but after notching 28 goals and 50 points in his second full season in Buffalo, the 22-year-old is certainly on his way there. However, as he quickly becomes one of the most valuable players on the Sabres, the team might not be able to give him the raise he deserves. Peterka is entering the final year of his entry-level contract and will be asking for a long-term, high-dollar deal. Although Buffalo currently has more than $8 million in cap space, they simply can’t become tied down to another forward, no matter how promising his future might seem. That’s because the Sabres have $38 million already tied up in their roster into the 2030s, with stars like Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, and Rasmus Dahlin among those who have already signed long-term deals. Adding another name to the list is a recipe for disaster, especially for a team that isn’t quite in Cup contention.
Peterka is particularly appealing to the Blackhawks because he fits in their championship window. For much of this summer, Chicago has been adding veteran stopgap players to fill out the lineup, but their mission remains the same – put together a young core around Connor Bedard that can compete for several championships in a row. Given Peterka’s production already through two NHL seasons, he has as much upside as anyone not named Bedard currently on Chicago’s roster. Assuming he can continue to develop into a true star, I’m fine with the Blackhawks paying Peterka what the Sabres won’t.
