Blackhawks connected to game-changing move for power play expert

The Chicago Blackhawks definitely need to get Connor Bedard some help this offseason, as he essentially has Tyler Bertuzzi and not a whole lot else assisting him on the wing.

Luckily, the Blackhawks possess a nice amount of cap space heading into the summer, so they can afford to land a top free agent.

Chicago also owns the No. 4 overall pick in the NHL Draft as well as three second-round picks. Plus, it lays claim to three first-rounders in 2027, so if the Blackhawks want to swing a blockbuster trade, they certainly have the goods to do so.

But they might not have to.

There will be plenty of intriguing names available both in unrestricted and restricted free agency, and in terms of the latter, Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation has floated a very interesting possibility for Chicago: Vegas Golden Knights star Pavel Dorofeyev.

Chicago Blackhawks could steal Pavel Dorofeyev

Dorofeyev is a restricted free agent, meaning the Blackhawks would have to sign him to an offer sheet and then hope the Golden Knights don’t match. But given the sizeable portion of money Chicago has to spend, it’s possible it could outbid Vegas for the winger.

“Dorofeyev, 25, is coming off a second straight 30+ goal season. Here’s the kicker: 20 of his 37 goals came on the power play this past season (13 of 35 the previous year). He’s got decent size (6-1, 194) and is Russian, which would be a nice addition with Ilya Mikheyev moving on and Roman Kantserov coming into the fold,” Bamford wrote.

The former third-round pick finished second in the league in power play goals this past season, which would be a welcome addition to a Chicago team which managed just 40 power play scores during the 2025-26 campaign.

Dorofeyev also racked up 37 goals and 27 assists as a whole, which would make him quite easily the Blackhawks’ second-best offensive threat behind Bedard. On top of that, he is still young and can grow alongside of Bedard moving forward.

It could potentially cost Chicago $10 million or more annually to snatch Dorofeyev on an offer sheet, but considering just how much help the team needs and how much it wants to cultivate Bedard, it might just be worth it.

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