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Got some fresh info. to share with you this morning.
First, in case you were wondering, the Hawks are all but out of the running for Rick Nash.
They made a good offer at one point, but, the mystery of Nash's "preferred destination" list aside, the demands now attached by Columbus GM Scott Howson really do not suit what the Hawks can offer or would need to do in order to take Nash and his contract on.
Apparently, any talks that happened with Washington are now dead. Though in light of Washington's performance last night, those could potentially heat up again.
The Hawks are still interested in an Edmonton defenseman: big, physical guy. I am also hearing that there is no interest or possibility of bringing Nikolai Khabibulin back, and this comes as no surprise to me.
The two teams I would focus on now as far as trading partners are the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Colorado Avalanche, although it appears deals with either club will come close to or at the deadline. Another team would be the Winnipeg Jets.
I have no new names to report with the Lightning.
However, the Hawks have their eye on two Colorado defensemen, including Kyle Quincey, who Scotty Bowman and Barry Smith have familiarity with going back to Quincey's days in the Red Wing organization. The Hawks are also interested in a lower line Colorado forward who is very much like Tampa's Nate Thompson: tough to play against, can play center or wing, defensively strong.
Quincey is interesting because he checks a lot of boxes for the Hawks: has some experience, can play the point on the power play, moves the puck well and has good size.
Not much else to report tonight as the Hawks host the Red Wings. This, like Sunday's matinee against St. Louis, is another big test of the Hawks' newfound mojo, and perhaps a bigger one as the Red Wings are firing on all cylinders right now—and know how to win at this time of year.
More as I have it,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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