The Chicago Blackhawks have placed veteran defenseman T.J. Brodie on waivers with the intention of buying out the remainder of his contract. This move, executed on Saturday, marks a swift end to Brodie's tenure in Chicago after just one season.
Brodie, 35, had signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Blackhawks in the previous offseason. However, his performance in the 2024-25 season fell short of expectations. In 54 games, he recorded just two goals and eight assists, averaging 15:37 of ice time per game, a career low. His struggles led to him becoming a healthy scratch late in the season, with his last game played on March 1st. Furthermore, his underlying numbers reflected a decline, contributing to a minus-18 rating.
By placing Brodie on waivers for the purpose of a buyout, the Blackhawks aim to free up a roster spot and gain some financial flexibility. If Brodie clears waivers, as is widely expected, the Blackhawks will be responsible for a dead cap hit of approximately $3.23 million in the 2025-26 season and $258,333 in the 2026-27 season, according to PuckPedia. Should another team claim Brodie off waivers, the Blackhawks would be relieved of any further cap implications related to his contract.
The decision to buy out Brodie highlights the Blackhawks' strategic focus on their younger defensive prospects. With a surplus of promising young defensemen, the Blackhawks are prioritizing their development and ice time, making Brodie's $3.75 million annual cap hit an expensive burden for a player who was, at times, a healthy scratch.
For Brodie, this move introduces uncertainty about his NHL future. While he is only a year removed from a 26-point campaign, his age and recent performance suggest he may be limited to a depth role if he continues his NHL career. Throughout his 15-season NHL career, Brodie has played for the Calgary Flames (2011-2020) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (2020-2024) before joining the Blackhawks. Across 962 career games, the Chatham, Ontario native has recorded 58 goals and 358 points.
The buyout window remains open for NHL teams until June 30th, allowing teams to make adjustments to their rosters and salary cap situations before the start of free agency.
