3 Reasons the Chicago Blackhawks Should Trade Ryan Carpenter

The NHL trade deadline is on March 21, and teams around the league are evaluating their positions. The Chicago Blackhawks look to be sellers at the deadline. They are second-worst in the Central Division above the Arizona Coyotes, 15 points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference with a 19-26-8 record. A lot can change in a month, but right now, it would be safe to assume they’ll be sellers. In that case, it’s easy to point out two tradeable assets from the Blackhawks that have made headlines in recent weeks: Marc-Andre Fleury and Brandon Hagel. However, I want to focus on another dark horse that the Blackhawks may part ways with: Ryan Carpenter. Here are three reasons why a Carpenter trade would be beneficial.

1. Carpenter’s Position Is Currently Redundant

Carpenter was a free agent signing by the Blackhawks in July 2019. He signed with a clear, bottom-six center role in mind. Before signing with Chicago, he made it to the Stanley Cup Final with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018. During his entire career thus far, he has been recognized for being a reliable forward that plays a defensive role and can help on the penalty kill. He doesn’t give much offense as his 82-game goal average is eight, but that’s okay because his strengths rely on the defensive side of the game. When he signed in 2019, the Blackhawks’ expectations as a team were to be competitive. With that came a need to fix their penalty kill, which was dead last in the league at the time, and he is known for his positive influence on the penalty kill.

Unfortunately, the Hawks improved in some aspects, but they haven’t been competitive during Carpenter’s tenure. His strengths are suited for a team with championship ideations because those teams already have players that fit most needs like scoring and goaltending, yet, championship teams can never have enough shutdown defensive players like him. The Blackhawks haven’t been able to fully utilize his strengths because they struggle in so many areas that playoff teams do not. They struggle on offense, special teams, and defense. In my opinion, Carpenter’s role has been wasted in Chicago because of the team’s other glaring needs. Therefore, the shutdown role doesn’t do much for them at the moment, making his position redundant.

2. Carpenter May Attract a Decent Trade Return

When you picture the trade deadline, you may instantly think of the flashy players who give teams the best returns, such as Taylor Hall or Phil Kessel. You may not be thinking a player like Carpenter could garner much of a return, but that isn’t the case at all. He averages 19 points a season, but there is a reason why players like Patrick Maroon (Tampa Bay Lightning), Brian Boyle (Pittsburgh Penguins), and Blake Coleman (Calgary Flames) are sought after every trade deadline. They bring skills that are invaluable to a team come playoff time. Every team needs a reliable shutdown forward who can do the little things well and provide depth. Carpenter is good on the forecheck, brings physicality, grit, and a boost to special teams. Teams become desperate for players like him at the deadline because they bring security.

Overall, trading Carpenter would be fair to him and the Blackhawks. He is in the last year of his contract, and I don’t believe he is in the club’s plans past 2021-22. He brings a necessary skill set to the bottom-six and on the penalty kill that would benefit any team, especially a playoff team. The Blackhawks can’t productively utilize his play anymore, so it may be beneficial to give him to a team that can. It’s a win-win because he could get a fresh start while Chicago can get some pieces for him to aid their rebuild.