Chicago Blackhawks On Trade Deadline: Experts Weigh In

John Jaeckel

I have heard the ’Hawks have talked recently with numerous teams about both forwards and defensemen. The teams are Colorado, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Arizona and most recently Dallas.

The players: Tomas Tatar, Ondrej Palat, Brian Boyle, Matt Duchene, Jarome Iginla, Fedor Tyutin, Michael Stone, Martin Hanzal, possibly Luke Schenn and/or Kevin Connauton, Patrick Eaves and possibly Johnny Oduya.

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There is a lot of smoke around Colorado: I have heard from sources in both Chicago and connected to another NHL team that Stan Bowman and Joe Sakic have been talking a lot lately — but I also heard (recently) that the ’Hawks have backed out of talks on Matt Duchene, as Sakic has insisted on Bowman including Ryan Hartman in a multi-player deal (also including Marcus Kruger, to make the cap money work this year).

Like I said, talks on that player concluded, but I would watch that situation, based on something I heard (recently) from someone connected to the front office of another Western Conference team.

Palat, Boyle and Tatar are also longshots.

My best guess today on what the ’Hawks will do is acquire someone like Patrick Eaves or possibly Hanzal. They may also be able to add a depth defenseman. Less likely a Stone or Tyutin or Oduya, but someone more along the lines of a Connauton or Schenn.

I would also not rule out a larger, higher-profile deal — because in spite of the typical nay-saying at this time of year, I have heard the ’Hawks have pursued Duchene hard, and they were intrigued (at least) by possibilities with Palat.

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Doing nothing is also possible, but it seems there is a lot of movement and talks about a lot of players — a fluid market. I have also heard the ’Hawks will make at least one large move this summer, and that may also point to them doing something right now that defies the “conventional logic.”