In less than a month, the Chicago Blackhawks will start training camp and preseason, which means competition for roster slots as they get closer to opening night. Professional tryout contracts (PTO) are another possibility that cannot be ruled out. Although general manager Kyle Davidson has done a good job this offseason, the team still has around $12.9 million in cap space available, giving them the option to make one or two last-minute additions.
The roster seems to be mostly established, thus the Blackhawks don’t need to add any more players this offseason. However, there are still a few reputable players available on the free-agent market who might mesh well with the group beyond only training camp and preseason. The Blackhawks should think about the following four PTO options.
Alex Edler
Unexpectedly, the Blackhawks haven’t strengthened their blue line this offseason. There are only four right-handed defenseman in the group, and Jarred Tinordi is the only seasoned player despite the fact that they have a wealth of excellent left-handed prospects. There aren’t many notable players left, but if the Blackhawks want to bring in another veteran, 37-year-old Alex Edler would be a good fit.
Edler is arguably best known to Blackhawks fans as a defensive stalwart for the Vancouver Canucks in the late 2000s and 2010s. The product of stersund, Sweden, made his NHL debut in 2006 and played in more than 900 games for the Canucks, contributing significantly to their journey to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. Edler spent the previous two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, where he had a less role than during his time in Vancouver but still contributed well as depth. He finished sixth on the club in blocked shots (104) in 64 games last season after having an injury-shortened 41-game season in 2021–22.
Noah Gregor
Noah Gregor, who was once a vital component of the San Jose Sharks’ development system, has had a rocky start to his NHL career. The 25-year-old has 178 appearances under his belt but has had trouble maintaining consistency since making his debut in 2019. Gregor improved in 2021–22, with 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 63 games, up from just 11 points in 58 games throughout his first two seasons. But in 2022–23, he was unable to capitalize on this success, regressing with 17 points in 57 games (10 goals, seven assists).
The Blackhawks don’t have a pressing need to strengthen their bottom six after adding Corey Perry and Nick Foligno, but Gregor would be an interesting addition. He’s still in his mid-20s, and despite his difficulties, he adds versatility because he can play both center and wing. He might be a contender for the third- or fourth-line center position on the Blackhawks, particularly if they began Cole Guttman, 24, of the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Rockford IceHogs.
Without a doubt, Gregor could need a change of scenery. He wouldn’t be a part of the Blackhawks’ future, but if he made it to opening night, he may at least be worth looking into and might even be a candidate for a one-year, “prove it” deal.
Colin White
Colin White, like Gregor, has had a difficult NHL career, with many of his setbacks stemming from injury. Despite this, he developed into a reliable member of the Florida Panthers’ bottom six during their run to the Stanley Cup Final. After playing in just 24 games for the Ottawa Senators in 2021–22 due to shoulder surgery, White played in 68 games with the Panthers in 2022–23 and recorded 15 points (eight goals, seven assists).
Given his little NHL experience thus far, White might never live up to his first-round draft projection given that the Senators selected him 21st overall in 2015. He’s probably best suited for a bottom-six role moving forward at the age of 26, but that might not be a bad thing. He possesses size and would fit in well on the Blackhawks’ penalty kill at 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds. The recent playoff experience he had in Florida may also be helpful. Another excellent choice for the Blackhawks’ bottom six and possibly their fourth-line center position is White.
Paul Stastny
Paul Stastny, who is entering his 18th season and is similar to Edler in that he is after his first Stanley Cup, has played in more than 100 playoff games. At 37, he may already be passed his peak after finishing the previous season with the Carolina Hurricanes with a career-low 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists). However, according to StatMuse, his faceoff percentage of 57.6% in 2022–23 placed him 13th in the NHL among players with 100 or more faceoffs, demonstrating that he is still capable of playing a consistent middle- to bottom-six position.
In their forward group, the Blackhawks have no shortage of seasoned players, including Tyler Johnson, Taylor Hall, Perry, and Foligno. Josh Bailey, 33, was bought out in June, which is perhaps a sign that the team doesn’t want too many veterans filling up positions that would otherwise go to younger players. Stastny, though, might be a wise choice because he could quickly advance to the team’s second or third-line center. Currently, players like Andreas Athanasiou, Jason Dickinson, and possibly Lukas Reichel would likely fill those spots; however, Stastny would add consistency as a true center, as opposed to someone like Athanasiou, who is better suited for the wing.