The Chicago Blackhawks are struggling to score and win games this season, so it is a good time to look at some of the players the team let slip away and how they could be helping the cause.
These forwards are having strong seasons as the Blackhawks have had a lot of talent come through. Some have left on their own accord, while others have been traded, waived, or not re-signed.
Brandon Hagel
Possibly the most impressive of the bunch this season is Brandon Hagel. This one will hurt Blackhawks fans for a while as the skilled forward was dealt at 23 years old after putting up back-to-back 20+ goal seasons. There was no need to trade him as he was still young, getting better quickly, and could help Chicago get to a better place faster.
Related: Taylor Hall Tops Blackhawks’ Trade Candidates
That is what he did for the Tampa Bay Lightning as he just tied a single game record for assists by a Lightning player with five and has nine goals and 26 points in 20 games this season. This comes after scoring 56 goals and 139 points in 163 games over the past two seasons too. Hagel might’ve been traded for two first-round picks, but he can consistently score goals and is providing a ton of offense this season.
Dylan Strome
The Washington Capitals made a great decision by signing Dylan Strome for fairly cheap after the Blackhawks just let him become a UFA by not qualifying him as a RFA. Originally signed to be a second line or middle-six option at center, Strome had to quickly slide into the top center spot with Nicklas Backstrom out and he hasn’t looked back.
The Blackhawks are struggling for help down the middle while Strome has assisted on a ton of Alex Ovechkin goals this season and has six goals and 29 points in 21 games this season. Strome is playing like the third overall pick the Blackhawks originally traded for and let go without getting anything back from him. Yet another poor decision the organization is regretting.
Artemi Panarin
It comes as no surprise that Artemi Panarin is once again playing at over a point-per-game pace as he is one of the best offensive players in the game. The Blackhawks will always remember trading him for very little after his second dominant season in the NHL. It was a surprise to nobody that he turned into a superstar soon after as he was already on that path.
The New York Rangers might be having trouble right now, but Panarin has 12 goals and 26 points in 20 games. That 12 goals easily clears any Blackhawks player this season.
Nick Schmaltz
Nick Schmaltz isn’t dominating in the way the other three former Blackhawks have been this season, but the talented winger has 15 assists through 21 games this season. Surprisingly, he has yet to score a goal this season though.
Schmaltz has scored over 20 goals in three consecutive seasons, so he can put the puck in the back of the net. He isn’t shooting any less either, so it is an anomaly that won’t stick for very long. He is doing the complete reverse of hockey’s version of the Cy Young. Regardless, Utah HC is likely glad he’s still producing well and finding the scoresheet in most games this season.
Adam Gaudette
A name less known to many is Adam Gaudette, but with how he’s played this season, you should start to hear more about him. The 28-year-old played all of last season (except 2 games) in the AHL and scored 44 goals and 71 points in 67 games, but was no shoe-in to make the Ottawa Senators.
Gaudette has worked his way up the lineup and is playing on the top line, having scored nine goals already this season through 20 games. For someone in his position to do what he has done in such a short amount of time is impressive. As someone who wasn’t even expected to make the opening night roster, he has more goals this season than any Blackhawks players.
Every team has some players they regret letting go of, but the list that the Blackhawks have piled up this season based on what has gone on in Chicago is disastrous. The Blackhawks need to be careful of who they just let go as seasons like this will darked the organization in a year the team is already struggling.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, and more.
Recent Blackhawks News
Chris Kreider Would Be Perfect For Connor Bedard
Mike Johnston Gives Connor Bedard Elite Advice On NHL Network
Blackhawks’ Soderblom On Wrong Side of Unfortunate Goalie Stats
Matvei Michkov Gets The Best Of Blackhawks In Overtime
