Chicago Blackhawks: Three options for Brent Seabrook beyond this season
By Ryan Sikes
Would the Chicago Blackhawks consider buying out Brent Seabrook’s contract in the offseason?
After the Chicago Blackhawks won their third cup in six years, the front office gave defenseman Brent Seabrook an eight-year, $55M contract, one that would guarantee he would be with the team for life. However, with four years remaining on his contract and three consecutive sub-par seasons, you have to wonder how much longer he’ll stay with the team.
Seabrook was instrumental in helping the Hawks win all three of their Stanely Cups, including a dramatic Game 7 overtime winner against Detroit during the 2013 run. But his last true productive year was the 2015-2016 season when he tallied 49 points, including 14 goals and 35 assists, and had a plus-minus +6 rating.
Since then, his stats have fallen off, and the Blackhawks defense has suffered because of it. In both the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons, Chicago ranked in the bottom of the league with fatal turnovers occurring in their zone. Blame the goalie all you want, but he can only do with what’s in front of him, and the truth of the matter is that Seabrook is no longer the player he once was.
Add to that Seabrook’s injury this year is likely to force him to miss the 24-team playoff when the league resumes play.
So what are the options?
1. Chicago Blackhawks buyout his contract
The Blackhawks would essentially be paying him to play elsewhere for the next four years with cap hits of $6.6M, $3.6M, $6.6M, and $5.1M over the time frame. It’s not ideal, but the Hawks front office has to ask themselves which would be worse? Continue to let him play or pay him to go away?
Remember, the Hawks also have Lucas Carlsson likely coming next year, and Adam Boqvist will be expected to have a larger role. Seabrook is a strong veteran presence that these younger players can learn from, and buying out his contract may not be the most suitable option at this time.
2. Move him to the third line next year
Niklas Hjalmarsson thrived on the third line during his time in Chicago, but playing on the second line with Arizona, Hjalmarsson’s stats have taken a substantial hit recording a negative plus-minus rating in two-of-three seasons. Long gone are the days that Duncan Keith and Seabrook are paired together. Keith is another story altogether as his play continues to decline, but it might be time to move Seabrook down to the third line with either Olli Maatta or Nicolas Beaudin, depending on how the roster shakes out.
3. Wait two more years and trade him
Seabrook has a full no-movement clause through the 2021-2022 season with those restrictions easing up after that. Keeping in mind that the Blackhawks approached Seabrook last offseason about lifting his no-movement clause, which he respectfully declined, the Hawks front office could raise the question again this offseason.
Three underrated players against Edmonton Oilers. dark. Next
He has stated that he likes being in Chicago, which I respect, but the Blackhawks are entering a transition phase and need to detach themselves from these bad contracts they are currently married to. If Seabrook declines the request again this offseason, the best option may be to wait two more years and then trade him, knowing they will have to eat a large chunk of his salary in the process.