Chicago Blackhawks: Three potential 2020 free agent defense adds

Sami Vatanen can best be described as a solid two-way defenseman. There are some people who really aren’t keen on his game but there are times that he looks really good. The eye-test tells you he is an okay defenseman and the analytics community tells you that he isn’t that good. The best way to evaluate hockey players is by taking all bits of information you can and forming an opinion. Vatanen might be the best example of that. His seasons with the New Jersey Devils were mostly on bad teams so that certainly doesn’t help.

He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Anaheim Ducks. A few weeks into his sixth, he was traded to New Jersey in a huge trade involving Adam Henrique. There were times that Vatanen was relied on to be their top defenseman. He is best suited to be on a good team as their third or even fourth defenseman. In a role like that, he might thrive.

He had five goals and 18 assists for 23 points in 47 games with the Devils. He was injured at the trade deadline but the Hurricanes still acquired him. He hasn’t played a single game with them yet and it is still being determined if he ever will. If the pause ended now, he would be healthy enough to play with Carolina so you never know how that pans out. One thing that is for sure is that he will be on a new contract by the time next season starts. The Blackhawks bringing him in to help ease in guys like Boqvist and Mitchell in would be smart.