Chicago Blackhawks-Do They Still Have Positions To Be Addressed?

By Patrick Comia |

As the closing hour of Monday’s 3:00 pm EST Trade Deadline comes to an end, a team that has remained quiet today are the Chicago Blackhawks.

Yesterday, they made a move to obtain the services of Antoine Vermette from the Arizona Coyotes. This move is sure to reinforce their lineup down the middle.

In another move, the Blackhawks saw them acquire defenseman Kimmo Timonen. Though this move is a head-scratcher for me. He is a great defenseman, or was. However, it is up in age (39) and has not played a single minutes this season. And, it was reported he just started skating with his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers, shortly before being traded.

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So my question is, are the Blackhawks content with what they have? Or, do they need to make another move to help reinforce the positions that are suspect? The positions I am referring to is defense and at right wing?

With Patrick Kane unavailable for the remainder of this season, you would think they would pursue a player to fill in the vacancy. However, the moves made up to this point don’t address that.

Defenseman Johnny Oduya was placed on injured reserve. So, the move for a defenseman made sense. However, the Blackhawks obtained a questionable player in Timonen. And referring to questionable, I mean an older veteran that has been out of action since last season. What kind of production or performance are the Blackhawks expecting?

And, then there is the issue with Patrick Sharp. It seems that the controversy surrounding him have not been brought up as a possible factor to trade him. Also, Sharp addressed the issues that have been plaguing him and the team recently. On chicagotribune.com, he put out the following statement:

“…when people delve into your personal life and make up rumors and things that are completely false and untrue, it takes a toll on you. And it takes a toll on your family, your friends, and it’s completely unnecessary.”

Honestly, it was the best thing Sharp could have done. Not only is he tackling his accusers head on, but he is saving his reputation as a Blackhawk. You have to respect the player and the man.

Back to hockey, do the Blackhawks feel comfortable with their team to pick up where Kane left off? Perhaps. Per NHL.com, the team has three true right wingers. (On Monday afternoon, Ben Smith was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for C, Andrew Desjardins -reported by Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com and TSN)

I could be wrong, and I am proven that. However, it seems quiet on the Blackhawks front.

How do you feel?

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