On the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas spent a solid chunk of the 97-minute show discussing the Chicago Blackhawks and their disappointing 4-13-1 start to the season.

Just a few days ago, Friedman reported on Saturday Headlines that the Blackhawks have become “suddenly very active” on the trade market. The segment aired in the midst of an abysmal 9-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, which extended the current losing streak to six games.

Friedman said the Blackhawks are willing to part with their 2027 late first-round picks, acquired from the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers, while veteran forwards Jordan Greenway and Teuvo Teravainen are also available.

He further noted that other NHL teams have asked the Blackhawks about “some of their prospects and some of their guys who can play center.” Earlier this season, the Philadelphia Flyers were believed to be interested in Hawks forwards Frank Nazar and Oliver, both of whom have played center in their young careers.

After setting the stage on Saturday, Friedman added some more context to the Blackhawks trade rumors on Monday’s episode of 32 Thoughts. He again mentioned GM Kyle Davidson being open to moving his 2027 draft picks and some veterans for more offensive support.

“I do think the Blackhawks are trying to do something. I think they are trying to find, in particular, offensive help. They have five picks in the upcoming draft that are early. They have theirs, which is looking like a high pick again. They have Edmonton’s and Florida’s. Then, they have their second-round pick and Vancouver’s. Right now, Vancouver and Chicago, being two of the lowest totals in the league, those could be five of the first 35 picks in the draft.

“I don’t know if they’re looking at trading their pick, but I definitely think the Florida and Edmonton picks are in play. I obviously believe those two second-rounders could be in play. Then, they have Greenway and Teravainen out there. I think Teravainen needs a fresh start, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the player feels the same way, too. Although I don’t know that for sure.”

The Blackhawks would be foolish to trade their own 2027 first-round pick, but the rest of this year’s draft capital is Davidson’s best shot at fetching an impact forward from another team.

Teravainen and Greenway aren’t attractive assets that can command a notable return, and it’s hard to imagine any team wants to take on their full cap hits, even with expiring contracts. Teravainen, with six points in 15 games, has a $5.4 million cap hit. Greenway, with just one goal and no assists in 16 games, has a flat $4 million cap hit.

Even if the Blackhawks retain salary, they’re not looking at much of a return. The same goes for Andrew Mangiapane and Ian Cole, two other veterans on expiring deals.

The other avenue for Davidson would be reaching into his prospect pool and dealing from his collection of young talent. Friedman again mentioned other clubs checking in with Davidson about prospects, although not explicitly stating which ones, and players who have experience at center.

The Blackhawks have a deep prospect pool, but trading away those players obviously comes with risk, as punting away potential future help could make the situation even worse down the road.

Friedman voiced caution about Davidson making a move simply for the sake of change, and potentially doing something he and the organization might regret later on, like trading away a promising young player. But with such a dramatically underwhelming start, all options appear to be on the table right now.

“I always think that no move is better than a bad move. I really believe that. But Chicago is so disappointed with the way this has begun, they are out there and looking hard at things.”

Friedman’s Breakdown

Friedman offered his personal assessment on the messy start for the Blackhawks, which was accurate and insightful. He spoke about how difficult it is for a young, inexperienced group to play the physical, grown-man style of hockey it takes to be successful in this league.

“When you have a young team — and they have a really young team — one of the things that’s hardest to figure out is how to play when you don’t have the puck. How are you successful in the NHL when you have to get it back?… I think when you’re really young in this league, that’s the hardest thing to learn.

“You have to lose with dignity. Either you play hard, or you play tough. The other team might beat you, but you’re getting your pound of flesh out of them… In this day and age, when you go down with a fight, you make life really hard on the other team, but lose. When I watch Chicago right now, I see a team that doesn’t know how to check yet.

“It sounds like I’m insulting them, but I’m not. When you’re as young as they are, that’s one of the hardest and last things you learn. That Carolina game the other night. The Hurricanes, even the best teams in the league have trouble checking them. But if you have trouble checking, period, they can do that to you. I don’t know how you fix that so quickly.

“They have to be more structured and check, or they’re going to get pounded. They have a lot of good young players, and some of these guys will be really good players. But they’re not yet ready to win in this league because when they don’t have the puck, they’re not good enough or able enough yet to take it back. You get your butt kicked when you go through that.”

Much of the online finger-pointing has been toward Blashill and Davidson for the Blackhawks situation, but the players are also at fault for the mess. The young players haven’t matured enough to take the next step, while the veterans have underachieved in terms of setting the proper example or standard.

For the young guys, it’s somewhat understandable, given their inexperience. But the lack of ruggedness and willingness to battle and check from the rebuild’s core group has been eye-opening, nonetheless.

They must commit to being harder to play against for improved results.

Friedman On Blashill

Friedman also weighed in on the Blackhawks keeping Blashill and the rest of the coaching staff on board despite the bumpy ride through 18 games. He wasn’t surprised by the decision, only because of the significant injuries the team has dealt with.

Connor Bedard, Patrick Kane, and Bowen Byram have each already missed time this season.

“Firing the coach in this case is the easy thing to do. It’s very clear to me, based on what I’ve heard, they want to upgrade their roster. They feel one thing Bedard absolutely needs is offensive help. I know they’re looking for that.

“I’m not surprised about Blashill staying because Bedard’s been hurt and Byram’s been hurt. That’s your number-one player and number-one defenseman. And I think [he] deserves a longer runway when those two guys have both been out. They haven’t had them together for any length of time.”

Clearly, before the Blackhawks make any major changes, such as firing Blashill, Davidson is first committed to upgrading the current roster.

Davidson is scheduled to meet with the media on Wednesday afternoon, and it will be fascinating to hear what questions he receives, why he decided to stick with Blashill, and his response to the early-season adversity in Year 5 of his rebuild.