Disaffected forward would be perfect trade acquisition for stumbling Blackhawks

As the Blackhawks continue to stumble through the 2024-25 season, they’ve still made it clear they’re looking to sign a center. The news was interesting considering they won’t be contending for a Stanley Cup anytime soon, but it could also help the team along the way if the acquisition was young enough. Armchair GMs everywhere have advocated for Chicago to pursue a top young talent on the trade market as soon as possible, especially one who could break Connor Bedard out of his ongoing slump.

Over the past week, an opportunity has opened up for the Blackhawks to acquire the center they’ve been looking for via trade, and one that might not cost them too many assets. Ducks forward Trevor Zegras has made it clear that he is not satisfied with his role on the team and is looking for a role that Chicago can easily offer.

It is not the first time that Zegras has been at the center of the rumor mill. Back in June, I listed him as one of the four-star forwards on Chicago’s “trade watch list” due to rumors that he might be open to a move to a bigger market like Chicago.

With the Ducks still in the midst of a rebuild, they likely won’t shy away from dealing him before this year’s deadline. That allowed them to get rid of the final year and a half of Zegras’ contract with an AAV of $5.75 million.

However, that number wouldn’t be a problem for the Blackhawks, who would be a perfect fit for Zegras’ services. It became apparent at the start of the season that Chicago had a big hole at second-line center, and with Bedard being moved to the wing, they could now have a hole at top-line center. The Blackhawks could definitely use a little more offensive firepower.

Zegras has been far from productive this season with two goals and seven points in 19 games. If part of that can be attributed to him playing on the wing, there is incredible buy-low potential in the 23-year-old star. The Blackhawks are armed with two first-round picks next summer and could trade one of them, along with a prospect, to get the deal done. With Zegras still only 23, there is plenty of upside for him to become an integral part of Chicago’s offensive attack for years to come.