Chicago Blackhawks Must Have Different Approach For Trade Deadline

Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman is seemingly always pushing pens and working magic year round

The trade deadline is still months away, but rumors regarding the needs of the Chicago Blackhawks in order to contend come playoff time will remain a hot topic until March rolls around.

Last year, we saw young Phillip Danault traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann, and Marko Dano sent to the Winnipeg Jets for Andrew Ladd. While these deals may have been seen as a great statement of the ‘Hawks’ confidence in contending for back-to-back Stanley Cups, both deals fell flat, and now the Blackhawks possess none of these players.

Let’s not repeat last year’s trade philosophy.

I’m aware that I am not a fortune teller or any bit of the scout and true mastermind that Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman is, but trading away the future can’t be an option this year.

Names like Tyler Motte, Nick Schmaltz, Ryan Hartman, Graham Knott, Ville Pokka, Mark McNeill, etc., were brought to this organization for depth and to blossom into players who will one day take place of the ’Hawks’ core.

Although some of these players may never become superstars in the NHL or may never even receive an opportunity to reach the NHL level, teams need organizational depth.

Trading away the future for veterans is not the answer for success. Instead, the Chicago Blackhawks must continue to develop the talented group of rookies they have. So far the season has looked very promising from the younger players on the team. The future can only get brighter as they continue to learn and prosper.

What could have been

Danault was playing outstanding hockey before his trade to Montreal last year, and now remains a starter with the team, averaging 13 minutes a game with five goals and four assists.

Although it’s too late now, imagine what Danault could’ve been for the Blackhawks. The everyday third-line center, perhaps? Today, all I can think about is the fact that the players who the ‘Hawks acquired while giving up Danault were pretty much no-shows throughout the rest of the season.

Dano may not have had the best shot with the Blackhawks, but the kid is talented nonetheless. Dano has three goals and two assists for the Winnipeg Jets this season to add to an already bolstered offensive team.

Dano possessed some excellent offensive ability and was a big loss as far as depth goes. Dano could easily be a bottom-six forward on the ’Hawks’ current lineup, possibly even more.

The Blackhawks have looked very strong so far with 17 games in the books. Although any team in the league could use another scorer or blueliner, the Chicago Blackhawks have proven themselves to be a contender once again with Lord Stanley in mind.

Next: Chicago Blackhawks’ Who’s Hot, Who’s Not: Hossa, Crawford Sizzling

There is absolutely no room to doubt what the ‘Hawks have shown so far is a fluke, and so Chicago should continue to ride this team throughout the season as long as the injury bug stays away. Keep the young players and listen to trades throughout the season, but refrain from jumping the gun and trading away a potential star.

Home/Editorials