On Monday evening (May 8), the Chicago Blackhawks won the 2023 Draft Lottery and will be the eventual home of generational prospect Connor Bedard because of it. This is exactly what Chicago was hoping for when general manager (GM) Kyle Davidson announced the club’s rebuild last season, and now they will soon have a future face of the franchise to build around.

The Blackhawks are heading into the 2023 NHL Offseason with a lot of money, and they are in a position to add to their roster this offseason because of it. Bedard is going to need help around him, so let’s discuss three free-agent forwards who Davidson should consider targeting this summer.

Connor Brown

The 2022-23 season was simply a nightmare for Connor Brown. The 29-year-old was limited to only four games due to a torn ACL and was held off of the scoresheet in each of them. This is just about the worst-case scenario for a player with an expiring contract, and now he is entering the offseason with not too much value because of it. As a result, he is likely to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal, and the Blackhawks could be the perfect destination for him because of it.

The Blackhawks are going to have a lot of cap space to use and could pay Brown extra to get him to come to Chicago. It certainly is a move for Davidson to consider, as Brown is a very effective middle-six, two-way forward while playing at his best. For example, during the 2021-22 season with the Ottawa Senators, he had 10 goals to go along with 39 points in 64 games. As a result, he could be a good veteran to have on a line with Bedard next season.

If Brown produced well in a top-six role in Chicago, he would instantly become a notable rental candidate for the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. Thus, there is more reason than one to take a chance on the eight-year veteran.