The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, who could be major players this summer in free agency, are expected to cut ties with former No. 11 pick Victor Soderstrom.
The summer work for Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson is already well underway as he works to try and build the franchise back into a routine playoff contender.
But with the 2025 NHL Entry Draft quickly approaching, the Blackhawks are expected to cut ties with a former 11th overall pick that they acquired in March.
Defenseman Victor Soderstrom, who they picked up from the Utah Mammoth along with Aku Räty and the contract of Shea Weber in return for a 5th round pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, isn’t expected to receive a contract offer.
Via Scott Powers of The Athletic, the Blackhawks aren’t expected to sign him.
The Blackhawks aren’t expected to sign defenseman Victor Söderström, whose rights they acquired from the Utah Mammoth at the trade deadline in March. The Blackhawks were unsure whether they’d be able to sign Söderström, but they thought it was worth exploring as part of the multi-player trade.
He had 37 points (9G, 28A) in 49 games this year with Brynäs IF in the SHL.
Additionally, the Blackhawks aren’t expected to have 2021 6th round pick Ilya Safonov after he signed with Ak Bars in the KHL.
Will the Blackhawks be major players on the open market?
The Blackhawks have been linked to pending Toronto Maple Leafs UFA forward Mitch Marner, who is expected to cash in big time on the open market.
If the Blackhawks somehow landed Marner, it would be the biggest free-agent signing arguably in team history and the biggest since they snagged Marian Hossa from the former divisional foe Detroit Red Wings in the summer of 2009, which led to 3 Stanley Cups in 6 years.
