Three Chicago Blackhawks emerge on ESPN's intriguing trade candidate list

Jason Dickinson, the 30-year-old center, isn't a huge scorer but brings a reliable two-way game that playoff teams covet. In 17 games this season he has five points and a 52.3 faceoff win rate, showing he can help in tight, defensive matchups. Pending unrestricted free agent status gives Chicago flexibility to shop him if a contender wants depth up the middle.

Connor Murphy, a veteran right-shot defenseman, also hits the trade board. Teams always talk about how hard it is to find experienced defensemen with a right shot, and Murphy fits that mold.

If the Blackhawks decide to sell, his experience and size could fetch a solid return, especially from a club hunting for defensive depth at midseason.

Laurent Brossoit's inclusion is different; it's rooted in circumstance rather than performance.

The 32-year-old goalie is on a conditioning stint with the Rockford IceHogs and hasn't seen full NHL action since the 2023-24 season. Chicago has made it known it's open to calls on Brossoit, with other teams likely watching closely to see how he looks in game action before making an offer.

Fans are mixed on the rumors, with a segment buzzing about Murphy's size and veteran smarts and others wondering if Brossoit's comeback could be a sleeper deal come March.

The context matters: Chicago has been up and down this season, with flashes of promise around young stars like Connor Bedard, but also moments that expose gaps in depth. Moving veterans could accelerate a rebuild while stocking picks and prospects.

Putting valuable UFAs on the block today doesn't guarantee deals, but it does tell you the Blackhawks are listening.

Trade deadline positioning is about leverage, and Chicago's mix of cap space, draft stock, and young talent means trades now could shape this team's foundation for years.