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Chicago Blackhawks Didn’t Trade For Thomas Vanek For a Reason

By Shepard Price

Feb 21, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Schmaltz (8) celebrates his goal in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Minnesota Wild 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Schmaltz (8) celebrates his goal in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Minnesota Wild 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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A Lot of Trades Happened Around the NHL Trade Deadline, But the blackhawks Had a Reason For Not Trading For Thomas Vanek.

The Chicago Blackhawks this year made two deadline deals. They traded for Johnny Oduya and for Tomas Jurco. Oduya has yet to play for the Blackhawks, and Jurco is a depth forward. But the Blackhawks will need more veteran presence in the playoffs. They should have made a trade for Thomas Vanek. Here’s why.

Vanek As A Blackhawk

Mar 2, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Thomas Vanek (26) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Thomas Vanek (26) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Thomas Vanek is 33 years old. He’s played 13 seasons in the NHL, and has never won the Stanley Cup. That fits the typical Blackhawks trade deadline target. He’s also had 38 points this season, including 15 goals. Plus Vanek plays left wing, which has been a need for the Blackhawks over the years.

Vanek was acquired by the Florida Panthers for defenseman Dylan McIlrath and a 3rd round pick. McIlrath was sent down through waivers and went unclaimed. The thing is, the Blackhawks would have given the Red Wings a much better trade package without having given up too much.

The Blackhawks were, according to Scott Powers of the Athletic, looking to shop both Mark McNeill and Ville Pokka. McNeill, a forward, was sent to Dallas as part of the Oduya trade. Pokka, a defenseman, remains in Rockford, Chicago’s AHL affiliate.

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The Blackhawks, according to Cap Friendly, remain in control of their 2018 third-round pick. Pokka has the potential to be a better defenseman than McIlrath. That package could have meant another scoring forward for the Blackhawks, and also the opportunity for more depth heading into the playoffs.

Why Didn’t The Blackhawks Trade For Vanek?

That’s a good question. Perhaps it was just that Stan Bowman feels fine with the roster as currently assembled, with the additions of Jurco and Oduya. According to the Tribune, Bowman has said that he didn’t anticipate making any big moves before the deadline, but Oduya fell in his lap.

If that’s true, perhaps Bowman and the Blackhawks feel confident with Nick Schmaltz as the first line left wing. Schmaltz has sparked a new fire in Jonathan Toews, who led all NHL players in scoring in February. Since his return in January, Schmaltz has had 15 points, including 5 goals.

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In that same time frame, Thomas Vanek has had 9 points, including 4 goals. So maybe Bowman saw his young forward as better, and even if the return was small, it wasn’t worth giving up a defensive prospect for a position the Blackhawks may already have.

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