Chicago Blackhawks Lose Out on Acquiring Andrei Kuzmenko

The Vancouver Canucks have traded Andrei Kuzmenko. It just was not to the Chicago Blackhawks.

There was hope the Hawks would be able to acquire the talented forward who fell out of favor in Vancouver.

The Blackhawks were thought to be a natural trading partner with the Canucks.

The Hawks desperately need scoring and Kuzmenko had 39 goals last season. The Blackhawks have plenty of trade assets in draft picks and young prospects to put together an attractive offer for a talented player that Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet did not want around anymore.

Kuzmenko would have been the perfect linemate for Connor Bedard when he returns from injured reserve. Bedard and Kuzmenko forming a lethal scoring top line is not meant to be.

The Canucks are not interested in draft picks or prospects. They are interested in going all in for a Stanley Cup as they just completed a blockbuster trade.

Lindholm is one of the top players available on the trade market and the Canucks were able to use the asset they had in Kuzmenko to get him.

Vancouver is at the top of the Western Conference standings so it makes sense for them to make a move that bolsters their chances of winning the cup.

Let's be clear, there have been no reports that the Blackhawks ever made an offer. It stands to reason that the front office could have made a call if Kuzmenko was officially on the trade block since the team was interested in signing him as a free agent a couple of summers ago.

Those who were hoping Kuzmenko would become a Blackhawk should not get their hopes down too much. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent after next season.