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5 free agents the Blackhawks can sign to get back to the playoffs

By Griffin Youngs

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 17: Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville and center Jonathan Toews (19) during the third period during a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild on December 17, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Blackhawks won 4-1. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 17: Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville and center Jonathan Toews (19) during the third period during a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild on December 17, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Blackhawks won 4-1. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 03: Michael Grabner #40 of the New Jersey Devils skates during the game against the New York Rangers at Prudential Center on April 3, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – APRIL 03: Michael Grabner #40 of the New Jersey Devils skates during the game against the New York Rangers at Prudential Center on April 3, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

3. Michael Grabner

The game has evolved over the years, and one issue last season was that the Blackhawks couldn’t keep up with the amount of speed in today’s game. The youth movement in the league has changed how the game is played, but there’s not much the Blackhawks can do about that without trading up for a top pick in the draft or rushing the development of already drafted players from their bare prospect cupboard. Michael Grabner can solve the speed problem for the Blackhawks right now.

While Grabner isn’t young anymore, he brings breakneck speed to any lineup in the NHL. Grabner is a proven finisher that can be penciled in for 20-25 goals each season, and is one of the most consistent and dependable penalty killers in the NHL. His speed allows him to keep pace with the youth movement of today’s NHL, and is a viable defensive option on a shutdown line as well as supporting cast on a scoring line.

Grabner recorded 36 points in 79 games last season with the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, 27 of those points being goals and nine being assists. With time to adjust to a system, Grabner will fit well with any lineup in the league.

The Blackhawks’ depth on both wings is severely lacking, and Grabner is by far the best option on the market to help them patch those holes. Outside of Grabner, the next highest scoring right winger on the unrestricted free agent market is Alex Chiasson, who recorded 18 points for the Washington Capitals while floating between fourth line minutes and being a healthy scratch. Chicago needs to act fast in order to bring him on board before it’s too late.

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