Buyout Bound: T.J. Brodie's Troublesome Season Sinks Him In Chicago

A Lost Season

T.J. Brodie's first season with the Chicago Blackhawks has been nothing short of a disaster. After signing a four-year, $20 million contract in the offseason, Brodie has struggled mightily, posting just eight points in 48 games. His play has been so poor that he has been a healthy scratch on multiple occasions, a rare occurrence for a player of his experience.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to Brodie's struggles. First, he has been forced to play in a new system under a new coach. Brodie is a puck-moving defenseman who is best suited to playing in a more offensive role. However, the Blackhawks have asked him to play a more conservative style, which has limited his effectiveness.

Second, Brodie has been hampered by injuries. He has missed 12 games this season due to a variety of ailments, including a concussion. These injuries have prevented him from getting into a rhythm and developing chemistry with his teammates.

Finally, Brodie has simply not been playing well. He has been making uncharacteristic mistakes and has not been able to generate offense the way he did in previous seasons. It is possible that Brodie is simply past his prime, or that he is not a good fit for the Blackhawks' system.

Consequences

Brodie's struggles have had a major impact on the Blackhawks. With Brodie in the lineup, the Blackhawks have a record of 18-22-8. Without him, they are 12-10-5. This suggests that Brodie is a significant part of the team's success, or lack thereof.

Brodie's struggles have also damaged his trade value. When the Blackhawks signed him, they were hoping to get a top-four defenseman who could help them compete for a Stanley Cup. However, Brodie has not lived up to expectations, and he is now seen as a liability. It is unlikely that the Blackhawks will be able to trade Brodie this offseason, and they may be forced to buy him out of his contract.

Conclusion

T.J. Brodie's first season with the Chicago Blackhawks has been a disaster. He has struggled on the ice, and his injuries have prevented him from getting into a rhythm. The Blackhawks are a worse team with Brodie in the lineup, and they are likely to buy him out of his contract this offseason.

Brodie's struggles are a reminder that even the best players can have bad seasons. They are also a reminder that the NHL is a business, and that players can be expendable if they are not performing.