Amidst an extended rebuild, the Chicago Blackhawks are under increased pressure to improve their on-ice performance this season. We covered recent reporting indicating the market increasingly expects the team to be in the mix for a playoff spot at some point in the next two years.
This summer’s Bowen Byram trade suggested Chicago’s hockey operations department understands the importance of acquiring quality NHL players who also happen to be young, and it seems there could be more deals of that nature to come either during the regular season or in the next offseason.
Scott Powers of The Athletic wrote today that he would “be surprised if the Blackhawks don’t trade at least two [of their three 2027 first-round picks] to help improve their NHL roster.” Two first-round picks can be the centerpiece of a trade for a major core piece, though it does ultimately depend on where those picks ultimately end up in the order.
Last summer, the Montreal Canadiens were able to acquire a young top-pairing defenseman in Noah Dobson for an asset package centered around two first-rounders in the middle of the selection order. In June, the St. Louis Blues were able to add a young, cost-controlled center in Mason McTavish for two first rounders – No. 15 and No. 29.
A deal of that sort could be what Chicago looks to do in the coming year.
Other notes from around the hockey world:
Former San Jose Sharks prospect Linus Oberg has decided to transfer from the SHL, where he has spent his entire pro career thus far, to Finland’s Liiga. The 26-year-old forward has signed a deal with Finnish club Kiekko-Espoo.
Oberg was a seventh-round pick of the Sharks in 2020 and has nearly 350 games played in the SHL. Last year, he scored 13 goals and 18 points in 52 regular-season games for the SHL’s Malmo Redhawks.
Igor Ozhiganov, a defenseman who was a member of the 2018-19 Toronto Maple Leafs, has signed a contract extension to remain with Dynamo Moscow of the KHL. The 6’2″, 209-pound right-shot defenseman has been with Dynamo since 2023.
A two-time KHL All-Star, Ozhiganov has served as Dynamo’s captain for the last two years. Ozhiganov helped the club reach the KHL’s semifinals in 2025, and scored 30 points in 63 games in 2025-26.