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A Hawk-related source has been telling me for a few weeks now that Chicago will likely be the opponent when the puck drops at Nationals Park in the 2015 Winter Classic.

UPDATE: 9:44 Eastern.

Second source confirming Hawks to be opponent in Winter Classic


Not much new to report (right now) on the trade front.

Yesterday's blog kindled some debate on Facebook about how much the Hawks need to bring in a center, or how likely it is.

My source reminded me this morning that Patrick Kane's price tag for re-signing in Chicago depends highly on who is his center.

So while some dismiss the urgency of the Hawks to find a true 2C, they shouldn't. As reported here for over a year now, Kane's re-signing is not nearly the "slam dunk" that Jonathan Toews' re-signing is.

Kane has won a lot of accolades in Chicago. But my source tells me he really wants a Hart Trophy and a Richard Trophy. To get those, he needs to have a truly stellar season or two. And to do that, he probably needs a center not named Handzus or Regin to get him the puck. Probably not named Shaw either. Otherwise, the lure of Buffalo for Kane is quite real.

If I get any more rumor scoop today, I'll be back.


JJ

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