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I was taken a little by surprise that the Blackhawks might trade Nick Leddy—for the right return—when a source told me it was a possibility in the wake of Johnny Oduya's contract extension a number of weeks back.
Then, scuttlebutt creeped out that the Hawks were "infuriated" that Leddy's agent, Neil Sheehy—who is also Ryan Suter's agent—"played" them in the Suter bidding. And my first thought was, this could have consequences for Leddy, who is an RFA in 2013
Well, the latest possible nail in Leddy's Blackhawk Coffin could be statements made recently—including today— by GM Stan Bowman on defense prospect Adam Clendening. One of few standouts on a disappointing U.S. World Junior team in 2012, Clendening is what Leddy is: a smallish, puck-moving defenseman and power play specialist. He's also legitimately good—and may have some of the innate hockey smarts that some question with regard to Leddy.
Bowman's statements today indicate that the Hawks see Clendening as being "close" to making the jump to the NHL— as in this year close.
Where would that leave the Hawks? Along with Leddy, Johnny Oduya and Duncan Keith, four 190 pound-ish puck rushers in their top 6. And this on a defense that has arguably been too small and soft for a couple of years now. Just replay the Tivo from the Phoenix playoff series if you need any convincing.
Some might argue that Clendening could just take the place of Niklas Hjalmarsson. And while Hjalmarsson might well be dealt in the next few weeks, he needs to be "replaced" with someone who does what he does, plays more in his own end, blocks shots and kills penalties. Not with someone who does what Keith, Oduya, and Leddy already do to varying degrees.
To me, all this (and especially Bowman's comments today) points to Leddy, not Hjalmarsson, being the next Hawk player dealt. Stay tuned, as Leddy also arguably, due to perceived upside and salary, likely brings more in return than Hjalmarsson does.
Like, say, Tomas Plekanec, for just one example.
In other news, a source told me this morning that Roberto Luongo's wish list really only includes Florida—a team that seems stuck in neutral on Lu and with a goalie of the future in Jacob Markstrom—and Chicago.
Why not Toronto? Well maybe Lu sees the media and "fish bowl" atmosphere on hockey in Toronto as being too similar to the pressure and at times kind of crazy expectations in Vancouver.
But watch this. As much as Stan Bowman and Mike Gillis probably don't want to do a deal with eachother, I hear it could (conceivably) still happen.
All for now,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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