NHL Rumors: The AHL Debate, and Will the Chicago Blackhawks Go After A Top-Six?

The 19-Year-Olds in the AHL Debate Continues

Discussions are ongoing between the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and the National Hockey League (NHL) to find a compromise regarding 19-year-old drafted players. Currently, these young athletes are ineligible to play in the American Hockey League (AHL). This rule presents a dilemma: if a player isn't prepared for the NHL, their primary alternative is often the NCAA, a move that causes NHL teams to lose direct control over their development pathway.

NHL teams are keen to safeguard and nurture these prospects within their systems. However, the CHL is advocating for certain limitations on such allowances. The debate is centered on specifics: should this eligibility apply only to first-round draft picks? Is there a cap on how many 19-year-olds each NHL club can place in the AHL – perhaps one, or up to four? Numerous details still need to be resolved. Dan MacKenzie, the CHL president, is scheduled to attend the General Managers' meetings on Wednesday, where further negotiations are expected, though an immediate resolution is not anticipated.

Will the Chicago Blackhawks Go After a Top-Six Forward This Offseason?

Should the Chicago Blackhawks aim to bolster their roster with a top-six forward this offseason, a trade appears to be a more probable route than free agency. Alex Tuch, initially considered a premier unrestricted free agent option, either looks set to re-sign with the Buffalo Sabres or would attract significant interest from numerous teams if he reaches the open market. Other potential free-agent forwards include Mason Marchment and Anthony Mantha.

The Blackhawks possess a strong collection of draft picks and promising prospects, holding 12 selections in the first two rounds across the next three drafts.

Potential trade targets for Chicago include Robert Thomas from the St. Louis Blues, Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, and Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Thomas is under contract for five more years at an annual cap hit of $8.125 million. Robertson, a pending Restricted Free Agent (RFA), is expected to command a salary in the $10-12 million range. Knies, a 23-year-old power forward, also has five years remaining on his deal at $7.75 million per season.

At the trade deadline, the Blues' reported asking price for Thomas was substantial: a first-round pick, a top prospect, an additional quality prospect, and a young NHL forward. The Blackhawks could potentially package the Edmonton Oilers’ 2027 first-round pick along with prospects Ryan Greene, Vaclav Nestrasil, and Gavin Hayes. However, any demand for Anton Frondell or Roman Kantserov would likely be a non-starter for the Blackhawks.

A significant question remains regarding the willingness of divisional rivals like the Blues or Stars to trade with Chicago. Furthermore, it's uncertain whether Robert Thomas would agree to waive his no-trade clause for a move to the Blackhawks.