According to reports from the Sun-Times and Chicago Breaking Sports, both restricted agents Andrew Ladd and Antti Niemi have received qualifying offers from the Blackhawks. Niklas Hjalmarsson has also reportedly also received a qualifying offer. While this keeps both Ladd and Niemi from becoming unrestricted free agents, it does not keep the Hawks from trading them to keep within salary cap guidelines.
Ladd has surfaced in trade rumors, and he was a hot topic during the NHL draft Friday in Los Angeles. He still can be moved despite receiving the qualifying offer.
If Ladd, Niemi or Hjalmarsson received offer sheets from other teams and opted to sign elsewhere, the Hawks would receive draft-pick compensation.
Teams have until 5pm Eastern time today to submit their offers. After 5pm, restricted free agents become unrestricted free agents.