Blackhawks Have No Need For Last-Minute Additions To Roster This

After signing eight free agents on July 1, Blackhawks are already stocked with veterans. See the full depth charts in The Hockey News Yearbook, available at newsstands and via The Hockey News Store. https://thehockeynews.store/

No, a player like defenseman Jarred Tinordi won’t be scooped up at the last minute to fill a roster spot. The Blackhawks have about $6.7 million of space under the NHL’s $88 million salary cap. When it comes to numbers, Davidson could easily add one more veteran player, even on a traditional one-year contract without resorting to a lower-risk professional tryout (PTO).

The Blackhawks payroll is set to drop to $57.4 million in 2025-26 as six players become free agents and forward Philipp Kurashev becomes an RFA. But Davidson needs to maintain wiggle room to re-signs Kurashev and possibly upcoming veteran UFA’s Taylor Hall, Andreas Athanasiou, Ryan Donato, Pat Maroon, Craig Smith and Alec Martinez, depending on how their 2024-25 seasons work out.

Related: Blackhawks Have Important Decision to Make on Philipp Kurashev’s Next Contract

Simply, the shopping list of current free agents isn’t especially compelling in comparison to what the Blackhawks already have.

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So unless someone gets injured, don’t expect the Blackhawks to go after the likes of James van Riemsdyk, Tyson Barrie or Max Pacioretty.

Related: Is Eight Enough? Blackhawks Lengthen Free Agent Flurry, Sign D-Man T.J. Brodie on Monday Evening

Instead, tune in to training camp and see how promising youngsters battle for jobs. They won’t be handed out just because Chicago needs to fill an NHL spot and hopes a prospect is ready.  A year ago, Lukas Reichel was pencilled in as the No. 2 center behind Connor Bedard. Reichel is at best a No. 4 center this time and might land back at Rockford of the AHL.

Here’s an early glimpse of the Chicago roster by positions.

Goaltending is set…