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Tis the season, the holidays are right around the corner and the Blackhawks just might deliver this season.
Since sending Rostislav Olesz to the Rockford IceHogs, along with moving Rob Klinkhammer to the Ottawa Senators, the Blackhawks have reared their heads into the rumor mill.
Although they have nearly $6.5 million in cap space, the Blackhawks have not shown any intentions to spend to the limit.
WHO'S ON THE BLOCK
The Carolina Hurricanes have expressed interest in moving a few pieces from their blue-line. GM Jim Rutherford has gone on the record with his displeasure in defenseman Tomas Kaberle, clearly looking to move his 3-year $4.25 million contract.
"He's still a real good player, I don't know what's going to end up happening here with him now, because we have the young kid, Faulk, the 19-year-old, who we're real happy about. He may very well get lost in the shuffle here. I don't know where it goes from there. I know there's some teams interested in him, but they're not quite sure they want to take on all the money, so that becomes a little more complicated.
"He got off to a slow start, totally by his own doing. Now, he has to figure out how to get out of it, or he won't be playing with the Hurricanes long."
At this time, with Kaberle's contract it is doubtful the Blackhawks would make a pitch for the offensive defenseman.
Despite that fact, this doesn't mean Chicago and Carolina are unlikely to be trade partners this season. More-likely, the Blackhawks are looking at Tim Gleason, 28, the soon-to-be UFA with an easy cap hit of $2.75 million. Gleason could be a perfect fit for the Blackhawks, desperately in need of another defenseman in a shut-down role without threatening Nick Leddy's development in a more offensive role.
Even if Gleason isn't on the list, Carolina seems to be a likely partner with Bryan Allen in the mix as another defenseman they may consider parting with. The towering 6-5 physical defenseman is on the last year of his deal and would be another solid choice for the Blackhawks to solidify their core.
Another option to consider could be Cory Sarich, who has been spinning the wheels all across rumor mills with a perceived trade request away from the Flames. Doubtful the Blackhawks would have much interest in the physical defenseman mainly due to his staggering cap hit at $3.6 million. However, that expires at the end of this season leaving him to walk as a UFA anyway. One thing they will have to decide, is he better than O'Donnell, Lepisto, or Scott?
It's also possible that the Blackhawks could be making a play for the Islanders Mark Streit, but with another year remaining on his deal at a $4.1 million cap hit might hamper their interest. Regardless, unless the Islanders are out of playoff contention by the deadline it might be hard to justify trading their captain.
There are plenty of options for the Blackhawks if they want a defenseman, the problem is, there are many other teams in the same market. Tampa Bay and Columbus among the more desperate teams in need of defensive help.
Good news, the Blackhawks have a plethora of NHL-ready players they can afford to part with - many of them highly coveted throughout the league. It's only a matter of time before they pull the trigger to bolster their defense... who's it going to be?
Click here to view the article
Since sending Rostislav Olesz to the Rockford IceHogs, along with moving Rob Klinkhammer to the Ottawa Senators, the Blackhawks have reared their heads into the rumor mill.
Although they have nearly $6.5 million in cap space, the Blackhawks have not shown any intentions to spend to the limit.
WHO'S ON THE BLOCK
The Carolina Hurricanes have expressed interest in moving a few pieces from their blue-line. GM Jim Rutherford has gone on the record with his displeasure in defenseman Tomas Kaberle, clearly looking to move his 3-year $4.25 million contract.
"He's still a real good player, I don't know what's going to end up happening here with him now, because we have the young kid, Faulk, the 19-year-old, who we're real happy about. He may very well get lost in the shuffle here. I don't know where it goes from there. I know there's some teams interested in him, but they're not quite sure they want to take on all the money, so that becomes a little more complicated.
"He got off to a slow start, totally by his own doing. Now, he has to figure out how to get out of it, or he won't be playing with the Hurricanes long."
At this time, with Kaberle's contract it is doubtful the Blackhawks would make a pitch for the offensive defenseman.
Despite that fact, this doesn't mean Chicago and Carolina are unlikely to be trade partners this season. More-likely, the Blackhawks are looking at Tim Gleason, 28, the soon-to-be UFA with an easy cap hit of $2.75 million. Gleason could be a perfect fit for the Blackhawks, desperately in need of another defenseman in a shut-down role without threatening Nick Leddy's development in a more offensive role.
Even if Gleason isn't on the list, Carolina seems to be a likely partner with Bryan Allen in the mix as another defenseman they may consider parting with. The towering 6-5 physical defenseman is on the last year of his deal and would be another solid choice for the Blackhawks to solidify their core.
Another option to consider could be Cory Sarich, who has been spinning the wheels all across rumor mills with a perceived trade request away from the Flames. Doubtful the Blackhawks would have much interest in the physical defenseman mainly due to his staggering cap hit at $3.6 million. However, that expires at the end of this season leaving him to walk as a UFA anyway. One thing they will have to decide, is he better than O'Donnell, Lepisto, or Scott?
It's also possible that the Blackhawks could be making a play for the Islanders Mark Streit, but with another year remaining on his deal at a $4.1 million cap hit might hamper their interest. Regardless, unless the Islanders are out of playoff contention by the deadline it might be hard to justify trading their captain.
There are plenty of options for the Blackhawks if they want a defenseman, the problem is, there are many other teams in the same market. Tampa Bay and Columbus among the more desperate teams in need of defensive help.
Good news, the Blackhawks have a plethora of NHL-ready players they can afford to part with - many of them highly coveted throughout the league. It's only a matter of time before they pull the trigger to bolster their defense... who's it going to be?
Click here to view the article
