Heading into Saturday (Feb.11), the Chicago Blackhawks sit 2nd in the Central Division and Western Conference with a record of 34-17-5 (73 points). The latest rumors suggest the Hawks could be looking for a bit of rental help down the final stretch.
With a record of 34-17-5 (73 points), the Chicago Blackhawks sit just five points behind Central Division/Western Conference leader Minnesota Wild.
Despite the impressive start after 56 games, the Hawks do have some issues. They put themselves in a hole early on with an embarrassing penalty kill, and quite frankly it hasn’t gotten much better. Heading into Saturday, Chicago ranks 28th on the PK at 76.5 percent efficiency. They’re a little better on the man advantage having scored 31 PPG on 166 opportunities, operating at 18.7 percent (18th). Still, they could use some help on special teams.
Recent Deadline History
The Chicago Blackhawks are a modern-day dynasty. They’ve got three Stanley Cup wins over the last seven years and would like to add another championship to the mantle. GM Stan Bowman made a few moves in the summer, most notably bringing back D Brian Campbell, who won a Cup with the team back in 2010. The experienced veteran was expected to cash in on July 1, but it seems he took a discount for a chance to win.
in three separate deals.
Biggest Need: Top-Six LWer
The missing piece of the puzzle is exactly the same as last year. A top-six LWer to play alongside Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. The Hawks have been forced to juggle their lines a bit in 2016-17, tearing apart the Panarin-Anisimov-Kane for quite a while. They attempted to plug the hole with Andrew Ladd last year, but ultimately fell short in the end. I’d argue the Chicago Blackhawks are built much better this time around, so that Ladd-type addition could be exactly what they need to win their 4th Cup in eight years.
By adding that top-six left winger, Hossa can re-join Toews on the top line with the new addition. In turn, Nick Schmaltz and Richard Panik can slide to the third line centered by Marcus Kruger. This would leave the Hawks with arguably the most potent 4th line in the NHL: Dennis Rasmussen, Tanner Kero, and Ryan Hartman – three very underrated players.
NHL Trade Deadline Prediction: Hawks Shed Some Salary While Making Moves for Stretch Run
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Well, we’re used to the Chicago Blackhawks being forced to shed salary they’d otherwise rather keep. Names such as Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Nick Leddy, Brandon Saad, plus many others come to mind. Yet, somehow the Hawks manage to fill those holes with up and coming players.
Unfortunately, there’s a distinct feel and difference this time around. Chicago had no choice but to extend winger Artemi Panarin earlier in the season. The problem? That extension they just gave Brent Seabrook the year before pretty much stretched them to the limit. Now, Chicago might be forced to do something they haven’t had to do since winning that first Cup in 2010; that’s to break the core group up. It’s been Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson that make up the six players. The question becomes, who do you move?
Well, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense to move an aging Marian Hossa, if you could even find a taker. Toews, Kane, and Keith are untouchable. That leaves just a pair of defenders in Seabrook and Hjalmarsson. It’s not surprising that folks are split on this one already. You pretty much have to ask yourself which you value more. A solid two-way defenseman with an offensive touch, or a responsible stay-at-home blueliner. Either way, teams would be lining up to acquire either one of these guys.
Next: Vegas Golden Knights Mock Expansion Draft Roundtable
The way I look at it: if you know you have to trade a big piece like this with an expansion draft on the way. Why not make that move before June’s draft? As it stands, the Hawks are pretty much spoken for in terms of who they’ll protect. Imagine opening up an extra defensive slot ahead of the draft? Then again, I wouldn’t be overly surprised if the Chicago Blackhawks simply wait until the offseason to make a strong, calculated decision. Only time well tell.
Potential Deadline Targets
F Patrick Sharp (DAL), F Thomas Vanek (DET), F Jiri Hudler (DAL), F Jarome Iginla (COL), F Alex Burrows (VAN), F Drew Stafford (WPG), Ales Hemsky (DAL), Shane Doan (ARZ), F Patrik Berglund (STL), F Nail Yakupov (STL)