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Chicago Blackhawks Rumors: Signing free agent Mike Hardman

By Vincent Parise

LOWELL, MA - FEBRUARY 13: Mike Hardman #19 of the Boston College Eagles skates against the Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks during NCAA men's hockey at the Tsongas Center on February 13, 2021 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Eagles won 4-3 after trailing 2-0. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
LOWELL, MA - FEBRUARY 13: Mike Hardman #19 of the Boston College Eagles skates against the Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks during NCAA men's hockey at the Tsongas Center on February 13, 2021 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Eagles won 4-3 after trailing 2-0. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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If the Chicago Blackhawks were smart, they would care more about the future than just this season. It would be awesome if they ended up making the playoffs this year but that isn’t the most important thing. The most important thing would be getting themselves ready to compete in the future. They have a lot of nice young pieces that should help them in the future. Mike Hardman of Boston College is going to be the next one on the list.

Apparently, the Chicago Blackhawks are going to sign Mike Hardman to a free-agent deal.

Mike Hardman is an undrafted free agent that just finished his season at BC. He had a very good season for them as he had 10 goals and 19 assists for 19 points in 24 games this year. He is a big (6’3″, 190 lbs) right-wing that can play the game in a way that would fit this Chicago Blackhawks team.

Not many more people are plugged into NCAA hockey more than ESPN’s John Buccigross. He was the first to report that Hardman will be signing with the Hawks. It is a reliable source and he claims that he believes it will be announced on Tuesday.

This is phenomenal news for the Blackhawks. There is a good chance that they trade away a veteran forward or two that is on an expiring contract so Hardman would fit right in. He is a big winger that would look great next to a big-time center like Kirby Dach. The matchup game they could play with these two opposite Patrick Kane/Alex DeBrincat’s line would be very fun to watch and hard for opponents to deal with.

This is the type of decision that could help the Blackhawks break out of their slump. It could also be a good way to get some of their forwards going again like they were before last week’s road trip. It is also a great opportunity for a young college kid to get his break in the National Hockey League.

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The Blackhawks are still a premier franchise that these kids should want to play for, especially as they try to build it back up to what they once were. Hopefully, this is a signing that can get them an extra boost as they continue to grow. We don’t know for an absolute fact if he is going to be in the NHL right away but there is a very good chance.

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