NHL Trade Rumor: Brent Seabrook On Blackhawks’ Trade Block

In the latest NHL Trade Rumor, Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman, may be on the trade block. Rumors have him linked to the Vancouver Canucks and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Blackhawks have been looking to move a player as they are currently over the cap and now provide a solid NHL trade rumor.

The latest trade rumor has them trading Brent Seabrook to either the Vancouver Canucks or Toronto Maple Leafs.

This NHL trade rumor comes courtesy of three sources – Jay Zawaski, John Jaeckel, and Adam Gretz of NBC Sports.

Says Gretz:

"“Last night, the Seabrook rumors exploded. Two independent contacts of mine, one in Toronto, and the other in Chicago, have added to that buzz with what they had heard”"

[From nhl.nbcsports.com]

Seabrook has played well for the Blackhawks, but his time in Chicago may have come to an end. Thanks, in large part, to the contract he signed last year for 6.875 million.

Why the Blackhawks Would Trade Seabrook

More from Rumors

• Three Teams That Could Be Active at the NHL Trade Deadline
• What Teams Could Acquire Erik Karlsson from the Sharks?
• Patrick Kane Trade Rumors Give Flashbacks to Giroux Last Year
• Five Players to keep an eye on for the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline
• Nazem Kadri Signing with the Islanders Would be a Mistake

Again, that contract is monstrous. It seemed like a mistake when Stan Bowman offered it to Seabrook.

Seabrook is now 32 and would be locked down in Chicago until around the age of 38.

Seabrook was part of the Blackhawks core for three Cups. He played a vital part in the middle of those Cups, in 2013.

Not only did he score the overtime game-winning goal against the Detroit Red Wings in game 7, he inspired Jonathan Toews back to playoff form.

That moment helped earn Seabrook a letter on his jersey as well as that contract. But he was nowhere near inspirational in this year’s playoffs.

And on that contract, he would have to be. He’s making more than either of the Blackhawks’ premier defensemen (Duncan Keith, Niklas Hjalmarsson).

Seabrook put up 39 points in 79 games in the regular season, but zero points in the playoffs. His possession numbers rose from last year, but they still weren’t good enough.

And 55% of Seabrook’s shifts started in the offensive zone. It’s easier to find a replacement at offensive defenseman than for either of Keith or Hjalmarsson.

Especially when Michal Kempny and Jan Rutta are both on the roster now.

Why Other Teams Would Trade for Seabrook

More from Puck Prose

• Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
• This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
• 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
• 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
• This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings

Vancouver and Toronto – the two teams linked to Seabrook – would both be taking a pretty big risk. Again, Seabrook is an aging defenseman on a bad contract.

But either team would likely be getting a defensive prospect (Ville Pokka, Gustav Forsling) in addition, and the Blackhawks could retain salary.

So it boils down to what Seabrook adds to either of these two teams.

The first is an offensive defenseman with the ability to score nearly 40 points.

He’s also a right-handed shot, which is something NHL teams often need more of. That’s why this NHL trade rumor makes some sense.

Toronto needs a top-2 defenseman, something Seabrook has been throughout his career. Even this season, he played 21 minutes a night. Those are top 2 minutes.

Seabrook would be able to play a veteran role on a team with Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner. Again, something Toronto could use.

Vancouver is desperately trying someway to win while the Sedins are still there. Bringing in a successful defenseman like Seabrook would help them towards that goal.

The Canucks are also linked to a return – Chris Tanev and a prospect or pick. That would work well for the Blackhawks.

Seabrook is also from British Columbia and may be more likely to waive his no-movement clause for the Canucks.

Likelihood of this NHL Trade Rumor

That’s hard to judge. Seabrook is somebody the Blackhawks would very much like to move.

He would have to waive his no-movement clause, though.

But Vancouver and Toronto make sense as landing spots.

Especially if the Blackhawks retain salary, Toronto could be particularly interested.

It’s really up to whether Seabrook is willing and the Blackhawks are in the mood to retain salary or trade away a good prospect.

Next: Alex Galchenyuk and Matt Duchene Is A Workable Trade

Either way, this might be something that needs to happen for the Hawks.