Connor Bedard's dream linemate might be available this summer

There is little doubt that this offseason needs to be different for the Chicago Blackhawks. The players and fans want the team to be playing meaningful games at the end of the season and to see general manager Kyle Davidson make additions to the roster that will help them push for the postseason.

A perfect offseason would be bringing in a top-six forward, a left-handed veteran defenseman, and a physical presence for the bottom six. There are plenty of names floating out there in the trade rumor mill. Jason Robertson, Matthew Knies, Robert Thomas, and Elias Pettersson top many wish lists this summer, but a new name has entered the conversation.

Bedard Would Love This Trade

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, the New York Islanders might be looking to make a big change to their lineup this offseason.

“A league executive told The Citizen that the New York Islanders are exploring the market for forward Mathew Barzal,” he reported. “The club would like to clear some cap space, but it’s a big financial commitment with four years left at $9.15 million through 2030-31.”

Barzal would definitely fill that top-six need here in Chicago. The 29-year-old plays mostly center, but has plenty of experience on the wing. He’s a playmaker with great vision and speed, excels at zone entries, and creates offense for his linemates. Sounds like the perfect linemate for Connor Bedard.

Speaking of Bedard, he’s known Barzal since he was 12. It wasn’t that long ago that he told Jackie Redman that Barzal is his dream linemate.

As great an addition as he would be, as Eyes on Isles points out, trading Barzal just doesn’t make sense. They didn’t hire Pete DeBoer and acquire Brayden Schenn only to trade away their most dynamic forward. They are in win-now mode, but the bottom line still matters to ownership, so any trade will be all about saving money, which is a shame.

What Does Barzal Cost?

For argument’s sake, if Barzal was put on the market, what would the cost be? You’d have to imagine the asking price would be similar to what the St. Louis Blues reportedly want for Jordan Kyrou: an established player, a prospect, and a draft pick. The Blackhawks can easily come up with the draft pick and prospect, but it’s that established player that will be an issue in any trade.

If the Islanders want to compete next year, they will need someone to fill the void left by a Barzal trade. The Blackhawks really don’t have a guy they can send to New York who can do that. Are you willing to give up Frank Nazar for Barzal? Jay Zawaski suggested Ilya Mikeheyev on . I feel the Islanders would want more than that. Plus, would Mikheyev want to sign with them? It’s doubtful they’d want a veteran like Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, or Ryan Donato either. This is where the Blackhawks will struggle to complete a significant trade this summer unless they are willing to part with a young player they have pegged as part of their championship core.