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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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COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 5: Ian Cole #23 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 5, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ian Cole
COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 5: Ian Cole #23 of the Columbus Blue Jackets controls the puck during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 5, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ian Cole /

1. Ian Cole

Finishing right back where we began, the Blackhawks desperately need dependable talent on the blue line.

The Blackhawks have nearly no reliable options on defense. Everybody underperformed, all the way from Duncan Keith to Jordan Oesterle, and that was a huge factor in the Blackhawks falling apart as badly as they did last season. Brent Seabrook’s contract is looking to be one of the worst in the entire league at $6,875,000 for the next five years. They need somebody who can be a reliable option on the back end if they want any shot at playoffs next season.

Ian Cole is the best value defenseman on the free agency market this offseason. He’s not a top tier name like John Carlson or Mike Green, but that will work in the favor of any team looking to employ his services. The 29 year old defenseman is perhaps the most consistent option on the market this season, and will likely be able to fit within the Blackhawks’ budget.

Last season, Cole recorded five goals and 15 assists for 20 points on the season as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets. Cole was dealt to Ottawa as a part of the Derrick Brassard trade, and was immediately flipped to Columbus the next day. Columbus snuck into the playoffs by one point, and Cole was big reason why. Cole helped stop the bleeding on a horrible penalty kill, and his defense proved to be the difference in several close games down the stretch that snuck Columbus into the postseason.

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Signing Cole alone won’t push Chicago over the edge. But Cole gives the Blackhawks at least one viable option on the backend for solid defense, and takes that little bit of pressure off of Corey Crawford next season. Once the big-name defensemen are off the board, Cole is next in line, so the Blackhawks need to get there first.

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