We’ve talked a fair amount here about the Blackhawks’ blue line. After Connor Murphy was traded to Edmonton, they were the youngest defense group in the NHL. The average age on the ice actually got older when Artyom Levshunov (20) got hurt and he was replaced by Kevin Korchinski (21).
While I’m in favor of the Blackhawks continuing on their plan to develop their young players, Chris Pronger made some strong points when we spoke a couple weeks ago about having a veteran presence on the back end to help young players when the going gets tough. And, based on responses on that piece and in subsequent discussions here and on social media, it appears fans are in favor of adding someone with more experience this summer.
The question then becomes: who?
As I’ve mentioned before, an easy option could be running it back with Matt Grzelcyk. He’s a known commodity and wouldn’t take much of a financial commitment. There’s also the thought of bringing Murphy back as a UFA this summer. It’s possible.
But, if the Blackhawks go out onto the open market for blue line help this summer, there are a few intriguing names hitting the restricted free agent market. The Blackhawks would, ideally, bring in a veteran who’s a willing shot blocker and a little more physical. And, in a perfect world, the Blackhawks would be looking for someone who wouldn’t need a lot of term on a deal.
I’m not going to get into the realities that would set in if/when the Blackhawks look for a veteran defenseman here (someone would have to go from the group that’s in Chicago now). But keep in mind that if the Blackhawks bring in a vet, that player is either coming in to be a seventh defenseman or take on a regular spot to make an impact.
Here are five veterans who will be unrestricted free agents this summer who might intrigue the Blackhawks’ front office on the open market. I also threw in a few names that might be considered depth pieces on two-way contracts (like Dominic Toninato last summer).
Blackhawks Veteran Defense Targets
Brett Kulak, LHD
6-1, 192Age: 32Status: UFAMost Recent Contract: 4 years, $2.75M AAVMost Recent Team: Colorado Avalanche2025-26 Stats: 83 games, 1 goal, 11 assists, 18:58 ATOI, 108 blocked shots
There was a really nice feature on Kulak from Peter Baugh at The Athletic on Kulak’s 2025-26 season, in which he was traded twice (which is how he appeared in 83 games in the regular season). Kulak has appeared in 663 regular season games in his career. He’s played with elite players during his career. He’s a willing shot blocker. And he’s young enough that a multi-year commitment wouldn’t be a terrible play. Kulak might be a guy who can give you additional minutes as a third left-handed defenseman behind Alex Vlasic and Wyatt Kaiser.
Carson Soucy, LHD
6-4, 211Age: 32Status: UFAMost Recent Contract: 3 years, $3.25M AAVMost Recent Team: New York Islanders2025-26 Stats: 76 games, 5 goals, 7 assists, 16:31 ATOI, 91 blocked shots, 105 hits
Soucy got traded from the Rangers to the Islanders during this season. He’s a nice option for a third-pair guy who’s played with some really good players over the last few years. Soucy would be more of a physical penalty killer as a third-pair option; in 30 games with the Islanders he skated 40 seconds on the power play.
Jamie Oleksiak, LHD
6-7, 252Age: 33Status: UFAMost Recent Contract: 5 years, $4.6M AAVMost Recent Team: Seattle Kraken2025-26 Stats: 78 games, 5 goals, 10 assists, 16:56 ATOI, 106 blocked shots, 112 hits
If you’re looking for a fully matured behemoth of a defenseman who could teach Vlasic and Louis Crevier how to throw their big frames around. He’s a willing shot blocker and hitter who rarely gets cheated. And, as a player entering his mid-30s off a year on a bad team, might have limited options. However, coming off a deal with a $4.6M cap hit might make him the most expensive add on this list.
Ryan Shea, LHD
6-1, 200Age: 29Status: UFAMost Recent Contract: 1 year, $900,000Most Recent Team: Pittsburgh Penguins2025-26 Stats: 80 games, 6 goals, 29 assists, 18:53 ATOI, 91 blocked shots
Shea is a nice reminder that every defenseman has a different development timeline. He was originally drafted in the fourth round (No. 121) in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Blackhawks. But Shea didn’t make it to the NHL until the 2023-24 season with the Penguins. This season was the first in his career that he’s appeared in more than 39 NHL games, and he had a really nice campaign in Pittsburgh.
Alexander Petrovic, RHD
6-5, 212Age: 34Status: UFAMost Recent Contract: 2 years, $775,000 AAVMost Recent Team: Dallas Stars2025-26 Stats: 54 games, 2 goals, 8 assists, 15:21 ATOI, 77 blocked shots, 88 hits
Petrovic being a cheap right-handed option that would likely fit the seventh defenseman role is interesting. He’s played on some good teams around good defensemen in his career, and he’s a massive player who hits like a freight train. He was on a deal with a low cap hit, so the cost here likely wouldn’t be significant and he could have trade value down the road.
Depth Options
Here are a few names that might make sense on two-way contracts for the Blackhawks. Keep in mind the Blackhawks acquired 32-year-old Derrick Pouliot before the deadline and he has one year remaining on his contract with the organ-I-zation.
Connor Mackey, LHDJacob Moverare, LHDKyle Capobianco, LHD
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