The Chicago Blackhawks and pending unrestricted free agent Sam Gagner have expressed mutual interest in each other, reports Scott Powers of The Athletic.

Gagner, 27, joined the Columbus Blue Jackets last offseason on a one-year deal and produced a career season, bagging 18 goals and 32 assists while earning just $650,000.

The Blackhawks have already made numerous changes since a first-round sweep at the hands of the Nashville Predators in April. Chicago sent dynamic winger Artemi Panarin to Columbus for Brandon Saad, and also dealt reliable defender Niklas Hjalmarsson to Arizona. Not to mention, future Hall of Famer Marian Hossa has been ruled out for the entire 2017-18 season due to a skin condition.

As always, salary cap restrictions will be the biggest hurdle. Despite recent moves, Chicago is still a projected $2.9 million over the limit, per CapFriendly.

However, should a deal come to fruition, Gagner could fit nicely with the Blackhawks at a reasonable price. He'd help the club's weak depth down the middle and could feasibly replace a chunk of Panarin's production on the power play.