The Chicago Blackhawks suffered through a rough 2024-25 NHL season that saw them finish with a 25-46-1 record.
It was the team’s fifth straight losing season.
Fans are hoping to see the franchise put together an aggressive offseason to get back on track. In order to make that happen, the Blackhawks have a long road ahead.
Connor Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft, is the headline name for Chicago. At just 19 years old, he has an incredibly bright future ahead of him, but he is going to need some help to lead the Blackhawks back to success.
Looking ahead to the upcoming NHL offseason, there are some free-agent targets who would help Chicago take a big step in the right direction.
Bleacher Report NHL analyst Adam Herman shared one potential option the Blackhawks could consider. He believes that Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner could be a potential target.
“No doubt, Chicago has the financial means, both in terms of on-hand cash and salary cap space, to make Marner a big offer,” Herman wrote. “The fit here is more a question for Marner to answer. Does he want to play in another big city environment? Is he willing to spend what’s left of his prime in a rebuild?”
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16).
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Marner, who scored 27 goals and notched 102 points in 81 games with 15.6% shooting percentage, has made a huge impact for the Maple Leafs on the wing. Adding him would give Bedard a much-needed addition of offensive firepower.
Throughout his nine-year career, Marner has seven 20-goal seasons, three 90-point seasons, and one 100-point season. He’s the kind of high-scoring winger who would make like easier on Bedard.
But given Marner’s stated desire to win a Stanley Cup, Herman’s question is a big one: would Marner want to play in Chicago and be a part of rebuilding the franchise?