Chicago Blackhawks Should’ve Traded Mascot Tommy Hawk

The NHL’s trade deadline has come and gone, but the Chicago Blackhawks missed out on making a big move

The Chicago Blackhawks were rumored to be working out a big trade for over a week prior to Monday’s NHL trade deadline. While I wanted them to trade Artem Anisimov for a Derick Brassard-like package, a move they can make right now is trading Tommy Hawk and starting over. That’s right: Trade the mascot.

Whether you like it or not, the ‘Hawks are in the midst of a rebuild. It will be there first in about 10 years of glory. The team has enjoyed the Stanley Cup three times in a six-season span. The ‘Hawks have set attendance records, hosted the NHL draft and played in multiple outdoor games.

Can you think of a better message to the fan base and the team by trading the mascot? It would show everyone that nobody is safe and the culture in Chicago needs to change.

While I was the person who suggested the ‘Hawks fire Tommy Hawk in the offseason, now is the right time for a change. I mean, Tommy Hawk isn’t even the most popular mascot in his own building. Benny the Bull is going into the Mascot Hall of Fame this year. What has Tommy Hawk done for us lately?

No more jokes

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All kidding aside, the ‘Hawks are in need of some change in the organization. Prior to Monday, the ‘Hawks only moved Richard Panik, Ville Pokka and Michal Kempny out of town. I fully expected general manager Stan Bowman to be more active before the trade deadline.

I thought Tommy Wingels and Lance Bouma would have new addresses before or on Monday. That turned out to be true, but not for the same reason. Wingels was moved to the Boston Bruins for a draft pick, while Bouma was assigned to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.

Rumors swirled around Anisimov, and I was hopeful a deal could get done for him. That did not turn out to be the case, however.

Ryan Hartman was a name that had been mentioned in trade rumors also — and that one came to fruition when he was moved to Nashville for a two-pick, one-prospect package.

While The Athletic’s Scott Powers made his case for keeping Hartman, if the ‘Hawks could recoup a second-round pick and other picks for Hartman, I would’ve make the trade. It would be one fewer guy the ‘Hawks have to pay next season. Hartman has regressed from his breakout year last season and was in need of a change of scenery.

I was of the opinion that anyone who does not have a no-movement clause in his contract and is not named Alex DeBrincat, Nick Schmaltz or Vinnie Hinostroza was fair game to be traded. If Bowman could’ve gotten Brent Seabrook to waive no-movement clause, I would’ve let him pick his new home.

Now I am not calling for a fire sale, but if the ‘Hawks can get better for the long term by trading a short-term asset, I would’ve been all for the move.

Next: Learn About New Blackhawks Prospect Victor Ejdsell

Bowman seemed to realize the ‘Hawks are not a player away from contending next season. They are several players away from getting back to the playoffs. He has started addressing holes.