Chicago Blackhawks: 5 free agents to still consider

Casey Cizikas would create a different kind of Chicago Blackhawks fourth line.

The Chicago Blackhawks are a team that wants to establish an identity quick this season. We know about their top guys and how impactful they could be. Well, if they added someone like Zajac or Staal to be on their fourth line, they would have a well-balanced group of centers ready to take the reign. However, both of those guys can play up and down the lineup.

As for Casey Cizikas, whoever signs him will have him on their fourth line center no matter what. This is a guy who contributes lots of offense but is also scrappy in the meantime. He hits as hard as any fourth liner in the league while putting up decent points. If the Hawks wanted to add just a slight edge to the organization, then Cizikas would be worth a shot.

The Blackhawks haven’t been a very mean or tough team to play against for a few seasons now. If they added someone like Cizikas to the mix, things could get ugly in the bottom six. He is so good at his job and should be treated as such. He had seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 2021 which was an added luxury for the New York Islanders.

If it seems like the New York Islanders have a lot of players that could be out, it is because they do. A few of them might go back but some may now hit the market. The Chicago Blackhawks would be smart to consider at least one of them late in the offseason.