Chicago made a notable leap in roster quality this summer. While they’re not yet in playoff contention, they’re no longer a team to be taken lightly. The club is deliberately moving away from a losing mentality, aiming to cultivate a winning culture. Staying at the bottom of the standings for too long, no matter how much talent a team has, can lead to complacency with losing.

Trade with Vancouver

A few days before the trade market opened, Vancouver was scrambling to free up cap space. Chicago was quick to take advantage, seizing the chance to bring in players for minimal cost and even improve asset base in the process. In cap-stressed situations, clubs often have to part with decent players, not just offload taxing contracts, making some deals attractive to teams with extra space.

Acquisition of Ilya Mikheyev is a perfect example of that. In the trade, Chicago added a Top-9 (potentially Top-6) forward and a second-round draft pick, while sending a fourth-round pick to Vancouver. Sam Lafferty was also part of the deal, but the Hawks chose not to renew his contract. Ilya Mikheyev, a few years ago known for his productive, two-way play, struggled to find a key role in Vancouver. However, his skillset remains, and in Chicago, with more trust and responsibility, he could return to form. Mikheyev is signed for two more years at $4.04 million per season.

Extensions

Chicago locked in players they valued, offering substantial contracts to Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson, Andreas Athanasiou, and Petr Mrazek. As for others, the team allowed them to enter the market, with no significant players leaving. Notable among those released were Taylor Raddysh, with 14 points (5+9) in 73 games, and the energetic Collin Blackwell. Joey Anderson was the only rotation player to earn an extension. Once seen as a promising two-way forward, Anderson struggled to find success in the NHL. Chicago gave many players a chance last season, and Anderson capitalized, earning a spot. Over 55 games, his scoring was modest (5+12), but he maintained a +5 rating—a rare feat on a team where Connor Bedard posted -44 and Foligno -29. Anderson’s new contract, at two years and $800,000 per season, gives him time to secure a role as a valuable bottom-six player.

New Signings

Chicago added key players to boost roster quality. They brought in a reliable backup goalie who could potentially be a starter, as well as experienced defensemen and offensive talent.

Tyler Bertuzzi signed his first multi-year contract at age 29, with a four-year deal worth $5.5 million per season. Though not an extensive contract, it’s a step up from the one- or two-year deals he previously had. Bertuzzi left Detroit in pursuit of a Stanley Cup, but was unsuccessful in Boston and Toronto. Chicago is currently rebuilding, so a Cup isn’t immediately within reach. However, by the fourth year of his contract, the team should be vying for at least a playoff spot. Without an overloaded roster of stars, Bertuzzi’s production could very well exceed his time in Toronto. In Chicago, he’ll play a more critical role, and he has proven scoring ability, having recently posted a 62-point season in 68 games.

The big summer reunion is Teuvo Teräväinen’s return to Chicago after eight years. Drafted by the Hawks in the first round, Teräväinen won his only Stanley Cup with Chicago. He now rejoins the team on a three-year, $5.4 million per season contract—a solid signing given Chicago’s recent contracts in the $4-4.5 million range. Teräväinen remains effective on both ends of the ice, strengthening Chicago’s attack in the offensive and neutral zones. If he finds chemistry with Connor Bedard, he could reach new scoring heights.

Pat Maroon brings leadership, charisma, and a winning attitude to the team, helping to elevate Chicago’s bottom six. Known for his locker room presence, Maroon signed a one-year contract at $1.3 million. Craig Smith, a veteran forward with 928 NHL games, will assist Maroon in mentoring younger players and building a professional culture. If Smith stays healthy, he’ll reach the 1,000-game milestone in Chicago. Last season, he delivered solid numbers for a fourth-liner—11 goals, 9 assists, and a +2 rating over 75 games. Smith signed a one-year deal for $1 million.

To support the defense, Chicago added Alec Martinez as a “playing coach.” Martinez, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, has faced injury challenges, impacting his performance. Known for his shot-blocking and gritty play, Martinez is signed to a one-year, $4 million contract. Although his performance may not fully justify this price, his mentoring for Chicago’s younger players is invaluable. Last season, he posted 17 points (4+13) and a -2 rating in 55 games, with 165 blocked shots.

J.T. Brodie, another veteran defenseman, joined from Toronto. Though not as decorated as Martinez, he remains productive, with 26 points (1+25) and a +17 rating in 78 games last season. Brodie signed a two-year deal at $3.75 million per season. Together, Martinez and Brodie are expected to mentor Kevin Korchinski and Artem Levshunov.

Chicago also signed Laurent Brossoit to support Petr Mrazek, fostering healthy competition between the goalies. At 31, Brossoit has yet to serve as a primary starter, but he’s a dependable backup. Last season, he posted a strong record of 15 wins, 3 shutouts, and a 92.7 save percentage over 22 games. His highest regular-season games played is 24, which he’ll likely exceed in Chicago barring injury. Brossoit’s two-year contract is worth $3.3 million per season, bringing Chicago’s goalie payroll to nearly $8 million annually.

Draft

Chicago had what could be considered an ideal draft, securing three picks in the first round and a promising selection in the third. While it looks excellent on paper, only time will reveal its true success.

With the second overall pick, they selected Artem Levshunov, making him the highest-drafted Belarusian in history. Previously, Belarus’s highest pick was defenseman Ruslan Salei, chosen ninth in 1996. Levshunov impressed scouts with his rapid development throughout the draft year, climbing steadily each month. He ultimately landed at second, just behind the top pick, Celebri. Levshunov’s strong skating and physical presence make him a standout on both ends of the ice. His dominant college hockey performance (9 goals, 26 assists, and a +27 rating in 38 games) led to an immediate entry-level contract, meaning he’ll likely see some NHL time this season or spend the majority in the AHL.

At 18th overall, Chicago picked Sacha Boisvert, a big, skilled center with a versatile scoring toolkit. Known for his accurate shooting and solid playmaking, Boisvert posted 68 points (36+32) and a +5 rating over 61 USHL games last season. He has the potential to develop into an ideal second-line center, complementing Bedard in Chicago’s long-term plans.

Finally, with the 27th pick, they selected Marek Vanaker, a technical winger with elite skating and sharp offensive skills. Known for his vision and hockey IQ, Vanaker needs to improve his physical play and defensive game. With 82 points (36+46) in 68 pre-draft games, he shows strong promise as a future offensive asset.

This article was prepared with data sourced from CapMeHonest.com.

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