Blackhawks could poach this rising star compared to Andrew Shaw

The Chicago Blackhawks have a lot of money to play with this offseason, and they are also stocked with assets they can use in potential trades.

Basically, this will be a pivotal summer for the Blackhawks, who have missed the playoffs six years in a row (their longest drought since 1952) and are starving for success.

The good news is that Chicago has shown improvement the last couple of years and has one of the NHL’s top rising stars in Connor Bedard, so there is absolutely hope for the future. The Blackhawks just need to make the right moves.

Chicago has been connected to a plethora of potential options in both free agency and on the trade market, so there should be no shortage of possible acquisitions at Kyle Davidson’s fingertips in the coming weeks and months.

But Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation just linked the Blackhawks to one compelling name in particular: Buffalo Sabres wing Zach Benson, a player Bamford himself compared to Chicago fan favorite Andrew Shaw.

Chicago Blackhawks linked to Zach Benson

The Blackhawks would have to sign Benson to an offer sheet and then hope that the Sabres don’t match, but with Buffalo hard up for cash, Chicago might have a chance to poach the exciting 21-year-old.

“The Sabres, like the Stars, don’t have a lot of cap space to play with this summer. And Benson emerged as one of the stars for Buffalo in these playoffs. They also have to make a decision on Alex Tuch, so a significant offer sheet here could force their hand on Tuch. Again, not a big player here (5-10, 177) but plays the Andrew Shaw-type game Blackhawks fans love,” Bamford wrote.

If the Sabres do ultimately decide to re-sign Tuch, it could certainly open the door for the Blackhawks to swoop in and steal Benson, who totaled 13 goals and 30 assists during the 2025-26 regular season and managed five scores and four assists in 13 playoff games.

Benson was originally selected by Buffalo with the 13th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft and posted 11 goals and 19 dimes during his rookie campaign. He followed that up with 10 scores and 18 assists in Year 2.

Shaw, of course, helped Chicago win a pair of Stanley Cup championships in 2012-13 and 2014-15, playing a pivotal role in both runs and establishing himself as a Blackhawks legend along the way.

If Chicago were to acquire Benson and he were anything like Shaw, expect Chicago fans to fall in love fast.

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