As the Blackhawks continue to stumble through the 2024-25 season, they’ve still made it clear that they’re looking to buy a center. The news was interesting considering that they won’t be contending for a Stanley Cup anytime soon, but it could also help the team down the road if the acquisition was young enough. Armchair GMs everywhere have advocated for Chicago to go get a top, young talent in the trade market as soon as possible, especially one who could break Connor Bedard out of his ongoing slump.

Over the past week, an opportunity has opened up for the Blackhawks to go get the center they’ve been looking for via trade, and one who might not cost them too many assets. Ducks forward Trevor Zegras has made it clear that he’s not happy with his role on the team, and is looking for a role Chicago can easily offer.

Trevor Zegras prefers playing center.@AlysonLozoff has the story on why No. 11 prefers playing in the middle.#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/D9i392uCNG

— Ducks on Victory+ (@DucksOnVictory) November 9, 2024

This isn’t the first time that Zegras has been at the center of the rumor mill. Back in June, I listed him as one of four star forwards on Chicago’s “trade watch list” because of rumors that he could be open to a move to a bigger market like Chicago.

With the Ducks still squarely in the middle of a rebuild, they likely won’t shy away from trading him before this year’s deadline. In doing so, they could rid themselves of the last year and a half of Zegras’ contract with an AAV of $5.75 million.

That number wouldn’t be a problem for the Blackhawks, however, who would be the perfect fit for Zegras’ services. It became evident at the start of the season that Chicago had a big hole at second-line center, and with Bedard being moved to the wing, they could now have a hole at top-line center. The Blackhawks could certainly use a bit more offensive firepower.

Zegras has been far from productive this season, with two goals and seven points in 19 games. If part of that can be attributed to him playing on the wing, there’s incredible buy-low potential with the 23-year-old star. The Blackhawks are armed with two first-round picks next summer and could deal one of those, along with a prospect, to get the deal done. Since Zegras is still just 23, there’s plenty of upside for him to become an integral part of Chicago’s offensive attack for years to come.