3 Chicago Blackhawks RFAs to trade before signing them

The Chicago Blackhawks have some decisions to make this off-season. Most people are so focused on the draft as Chicago is expected to select Connor Bedard with the first overall pick.

However, there is a lot more to be done beyond the draft if they are to make the most out of having Bedard for all of his elite years at a minimum.

There are some moves to be made with players that are currently in the organization right now. A few restricted free agents are in need of contracts ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Chicago might not have enough room for them all or they may not want to bring them all back. These are three restricted free agents that the Hawks should trade away before signing them:

1. Ian Mitchell

Ian Mitchell is someone that the Chicago Blackhawks may trade.

Ian Mitchell is a nice young defenseman but he is hard to evaluate. He was amazing in college and he has amazing leadership abilities.

However, he has only really played as a young defenseman on a bad team since coming to the NHL. Now, he is an RFA that needs a contract. Obviously, he deserves a chance to become a full-time NHL player.

The Blackhawks are rebuilding but they have some other defensemen in the system that have passed Mitchell up. They could absolutely trade his RFA rights for another team to get a deal done with him.

If the Hawks traded him, another team would probably give him a deal worth two million or less at the NHL level. That is not something the Hawks should be committing to right now.

It is unfortunate that Mitchell may not become a good Blackhawk but he can become a good NHL player elsewhere.