Blackhawks Await Trade Deadline Fallout Before Facing Utah

The Chicago Blackhawks know they will be hosting the Utah Hockey Club on Friday night. What remains uncertain is exactly who will be suiting up for the Blackhawks when they take the ice.

The game comes just 5 ½ hours after the NHL trade deadline, leaving room for last-minute roster changes. With the second-worst record in the NHL, the Blackhawks have been sellers leading up to the deadline, moving key pieces in an effort to rebuild around 2023 Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard.

Recent Chicago Trades:

Seth Jones to Florida Panthers – Last weekend, Chicago traded the five-time All-Star defenseman along with a fourth-round pick (2025) to Florida for goalie Spencer Knight and a 2026 first-round pick.
Taylor Hall to Carolina Hurricanes – In late January, the Blackhawks sent former Hart Trophy winner Hall to Carolina in a three-team deal, acquiring a third-round pick (2024) while also absorbing $4.6 million of Mikko Rantanen’s salary as he moved from Colorado to Carolina.

Now, more moves could be on the way, with Ryan Donato (team-leading 23 goals) and starting goaltender Petr Mrazek rumored as potential trade pieces.

Blackhawks’ Coach Focused on the Present

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the roster, interim head coach Anders Sorensen is focused on working with the players he has.

“We coach the guys that we have in front of us, right?” Sorensen said on Thursday. “That’s our job, and then (the front office), they handle the rest and apply trust. So, we just deal with what we have.”

The Blackhawks lost 4-3 in overtime to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, ending their brief two-game winning streak. However, they have a chance to earn points in four straight games for just the second time this season (the first came in a 1-0-3 stretch from Jan. 16-24).

Utah Aims to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

The Utah Hockey Club enters the second game of a back-to-back, coming off a 4-2 comeback victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.

Key takeaways from Utah’s win in Detroit:

Comeback Effort – Utah trailed 2-1 after the first period but rallied with two third-period goals to secure the win.
Clayton Keller’s Milestone – Keller recorded his 300th career assist while also earning his team-leading 48th assist of the season.
Dylan Guenther’s Scoring Touch – Guenther notched his 23rd goal of the season, surpassing Keller for the team lead.

With seven wins in their last 10 games, Utah is just three points behind Calgary for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

“These are the games we want to be in,” Utah forward Lawson Crouse said. “As much as we didn’t like the first two periods, we pulled together, and we came out strong.”

Utah’s Goaltending Situation

Thursday’s win featured the return of Karel Vejmelka, who signed a five-year contract extension on Wednesday with an annual cap hit of $4.75 million.

Vejmelka’s performance in Detroit:
- 38 saves
- Fifth win in his last six starts

Utah’s other goaltender, Connor Ingram, has seen limited action since the 4 Nations Face-Off break. His last start came on Feb. 22, where he allowed four goals in a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

Game Preview: Key Matchups & Trends

1. How Will Chicago’s Roster Look Post-Deadline?

Donato and Mrazek could be gone, leading to an even younger lineup.
Spencer Knight could make his second start since joining the team.

2. Can Utah Keep Its Playoff Push Alive?

A win would put even more pressure on Calgary for the final wild-card spot.
Utah has won seven of its last 10 games, showing strong form down the stretch.

3. Goaltender Battle: Vejmelka vs. Knight/Ingram?

Vejmelka has been hot with five wins in his last six games.
If Spencer Knight starts for Chicago, he will face his former Panthers teammate in Vejmelka.

Prediction: Utah Continues Its Playoff Surge

With Chicago possibly fielding a weakened roster post-trade deadline, Utah should have the upper hand. The Hockey Club’s strong recent form, Keller’s offensive production, and Vejmelka’s steady goaltending give them a great chance to capitalize against a Blackhawks team in transition.

Final Score Prediction: Utah 4, Chicago 2

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Can Utah Overtake Calgary in the Playoff Race?

Utah is closing the gap in the Western Conference, and another win would tighten the wild-card battle even further. But with Chicago embracing a full-scale rebuild, Friday’s game could be a major test of how well Utah handles a team in flux.

Will Utah seize the moment, or can Chicago’s young core pull off a surprise win? Find out Friday night at the United Center.

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