Why the Blackhawks SHOULD acquire Sergei Bobrovsky this summer

Now some may be wondering how trading for a 33 year old 2x Vezina Trophy winner with four years left on a $10 million dollar cap hit would help the Chicago Blackhawks rebuild, but the answer is Sergei Bobrovsky probably would not play a game for the Blackhawks if they trade for him.

Nick Kypreos reports that the Florida Panthers are looking to move Bobrovsky and eat half of his $10 mill AAV in order to do so. Which is exactly why the Kyle Davidson and the Hawks should be picking up the phone to acquire Bobs. They would likely not have to give up much to get Bobrovsky, and probably would get nothing else back in return of value, but they could flip Bobrovsky to a contender in need of a goalie for a large return. The Salary Cap rules for contracts work in a way where cap hits can be retained by 50% up to two times, so if Florida eats 50% of $10 mill for 4 years than the Hawks can eat 50% of $5 mill for 4 years. That leaves a high level goalie on the table at only a $2.5 mill cap hit for a contender in a need of goalie to acquire. This is where the Hawks can get a return for Bobrovsky as teams such as the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs are in need of a goalie and up against the salary cap. The Blackhawks are in a window where cap space isn't a problem for a few years with no sign of contending, but that cap can be valuable to other teams by the Blackhawks eating salary cap for them. This is the chance for Davidson to get back some assets while giving up virtually nothing off their team and possibly even get an overpay from a contender desperate for goalie and a Stanley Cup.