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Blackhawks will have to make tough decision this summer to cut ties with one of these two players
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Per Blackhawks analyst Ben Pope, the Chicago Blackhawks could end up having to choose between Ilya Mikheyev and Jason Dickinson.
The most important matter of business for Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson will be to get a new contract worked out for forward Connor Bedard, who is in the last year of his contract.
But there are a pair of other players on the Blackhawks' roster who are also in the last years of their deals, and they could be confronted with a tough choice soon.
Per Blackhawks analyst Ben Pope, Chicago could have to choose between either Jason Dickinson or Ilya Mikheyev.
"The argument for Dickinson will highlight that he's a center, he's the team's best faceoff-taker, he's a year younger than Mikheyev (30 vs. 31) and he has a sizable leadership role as an alternate captain and extremely smart person.
The argument for Mikheyev will highlight that he has contributed more offense more recently than Dickinson, he has stayed healthier (missing just three games since the start of last season compared to Dickinson's 32 and counting), he better fits the Hawks' speed-based identity and he might be slightly cheaper to re-sign."
The argument for Mikheyev will highlight that he has contributed more offense more recently than Dickinson, he has stayed healthier (missing just three games since the start of last season compared to Dickinson's 32 and counting), he better fits the Hawks' speed-based identity and he might be slightly cheaper to re-sign."
Dickinson is in the last year of his deal with an AAV (average annual value) of $4.25 million, and Mikheyev is also in the last year of his deal with an AAV of $4.75 million. Both players are pending UFAs.
Mikheyev has seven points (4G, 3A) in 16 games, and Dickinson has three points (1G, 2A) in eight games.
The Blackhawks Are Off To A Hot Start
The Blackhawks have won 10 games so far this year, and they are off to a hot start that has fans in the Windy City envisioning the return of postseason hockey for what would be the first time since 2020.
The Blackhawks are being led by young players like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, along with Spencer Knight in goal.
Previously on Chicago Hockey Insider
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