Amid Uncertainty At Position, One Forward Is Returning To The Blackhawks

We’ve reached the point in the offseason where next season’s Blackhawks roster is impossible to predict, especially at the forward position. Even with signings like Andreas Athanasiou, almost half of the group is set to hit some type of free agency on July 1st. Although the Blackhawks currently have the second-most cap room behind only the Anaheim Ducks, it seems likely that Chicago may let many of these players walk as they continue to build from the ground up. No one quite knows what the group will look like come October.

Despite the complete uncertainty on the attacking lines, Joey Anderson is reportedly returning on a one-year, two-way deal. The contract, which is worth $800K, will see Anderson becoming a restricted free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season, when he’ll be 26 years old.

History

Anderson, a 25-year-old winger, was drafted 73rd overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He then played in two seasons for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, logging 64 points in a total of 75 games. After his second collegiate season, he signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Devils, and moved between their NHL and AHL clubs often.

After being traded before the 2020 season to the Maple Leafs, Anderson signed a three-year deal. Throughout his three seasons, he was extremely successful at the AHL level, but couldn’t get it going with the big club. Finally, he ended up being part of the blockbuster pre-deadline trade this spring that sent Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty to Toronto.

Anderson was a staple in the bottom part of the lineup to finish out the season, and typically paired with players like Mackenzie Entwistle and Boris Katchouk. He tallied six points while playing in 24 games for the club, as well as three points in two games to close out the season with the IceHogs, and three points in five AHL playoff games.

Outlook

Anderson fits well into the Luke Richardson scheme, as a straightforward, quick skater. With fans hoping their Blackhawks acquire some more talent to surround draft prospect Connor Bedard with, they may expect him to spend plenty of time with the IceHogs, and he doesn’t seem like much more than a depth piece.

However, Anderson’s contract is the right price at the right time. At only $800K, he won’t exactly strain the salary cap, and the one-year deal fits right in with GM Kyle Davidson’s goal, which is to maintain flexibility under the cap for as long as possible. Even if Anderson doesn’t start the season on the NHL roster, he could be the first name called up in the event of an injury, and will be more than serviceable in that role. Plus, if that happens, Anderson will get a chance to prove himself once more on a lineup that still doesn’t have championship-caliber talent, and could still develop into an every-night winger. The deal may not be the most jaw-dropping for fans, but it’s a high-upside move with virtually no downside.