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I heard yesterday afternoon from a top source that the Vancouver Canucks had come back to the Blackhawks about center Ryan Kesler.

You may recall, I first reported here back around March 1 that there might be a possibiiity of the American-born pivot landing in Chicago. The story I related then was that Hawk free agent-to-be Patrick Kane had asked Hawk management to pursue his US Olympic teammate Kesler (so Kane could play on his line), and that Kesler had made it known to Canuck management that he’d like a trade—and Chicago was his first choice.

I was told the teams talked before the 2014 trade deadline and decided to bookmark the conversation ‘til before the draft. I was also told that how the Hawks performed in the playoffs might have some impact on how hard they’d go after Kesler. The Hawks did well, but the lack of a bona fide second line center might also have led to their demise against the Kings in the Western Conference Finals.

So the two clubs talked some more. I then heard that the Hawks backed away from the table about ten days ago, when the Canucks demanded winger Brandon Saad in any Kesler deal. So it was off.

But now, the Canucks have come back (I’m told) and therefore, one has to assume that Saad is off the table.

Bruce Garrioch reported the following yesterday in the Ottawa Sun: “In the case of Kesler, he requested a trade last fall and only wants to go to either the Chicago Blackhawks or Pittsburgh Penguins.”

If true, Canuck GM Jim Benning would basically be an idiot not to talk to the Hawks and get their best offer to evaluate versus the Penguins. The Hawk-Canuck rivalry, let’s face it, is not really alive anymore. Names and fortunes have changed. The Canucks are in a re-tool/rebuild mode. The Hawks are trying to win Cups while their window is open..

Canuck President Trevor Linden said this to the Vancouver Sun yesterday:

“I can’t tell you a lot. We’re working with Ryan to make his situation one that can work for both sides. Other than that, I don’t want to get too far down that path. I think it’s detrimental to the process and to Ryan and what we’re talking about … We have talked at length internally but we haven’t completely resigned ourselves that (a trade) is the path we’re going to go down.”

Sounds to me like the Canucks will probably deal Kesler to the highest bidder. And that could be the Hawks. I will not pretend to know the Penguins needs or assets that well. But the Hawks have two assets (at least), either of whom could be the centerpiece of a very attractive package for the Canucks.

The first is W/C Patrick Sharp. At 32 years of age, and with two Stanley Cups, an All-Star Game MVP and Olympic Gold on his wall, Sharp would bring proven winning leadership and a still solid overall game to British Columbia. And he is about as marketable a face as a team could have. Sharp has a modified no-trade clause which means the Hawks could only deal him to a team he would agree to go to (among 6-8). Would Sharp, a native of Thunder Bay, ON, enjoy Vancouver? One would have to think so.

Can Pittsburgh afford to send an asset like that to the Canucks? Mmmm, I doubt it.

The other asset I mentioned is C/W Teuvo Teravainen. There is little doubt that he will be a good NHL player. The questions however are how soon and at what position? Teravainen has everything you want in an NHL forward—except size. At 170 pounds, he can skate, handle the puck, pass, shoot, play the point on the power play, win faceoffs and even kill penalties.

If the Hawks see Teravainen as a potential 2C, they have to ask how long will it take for him to fulfill that role. And that, in spite of all the typical Hawk fan hyperbole surrounding a different prospect every couple of years, could take 2-3 years. Center is a tough position to master in the NHL, tougher than wing.

If the Hawks see Teravainen as a right wing (his natural wing position), who does he supplant? Kane? Not bloody likely. Marian Hossa? Not any time soon.

So in spite of Teravainen’s obvious promise, there is an argument that a Cup contending team—with a hole at center—might want to deal him to fill that hole.

Now, if the Hawks deal Sharp and not Teravainen, second line left wing is now vacated and that could be a nice, lower pressure spot for Teravainen to acclimate himself to a Top 6 NHL role.

Two other assets that could individually be added to a package might be either Nick Leddy or Johnny Oduya (though the Hawks would likely want, say, Chris Tanev back).

Or how about either 2011 first round picks C/W Philip Danault, who projects as a 3rd line/shutdown center in the NHL, or W/C Mark McNeill, who might end up sort of a poor man’s (or better) Andrew Ladd.

There are rumors out there that the Hawks are talking similarly with the Ottawa Senators about center Jason Spezza. And I would not rule that deal out either at this point.

However, because Kesler seems to have a very narrow set of teams he’s amenable to and the Hawks head the list, plus the Kane connection (no small consideration in light of ongoing contract extension talks for Kane right now), it seems at this moment to be the hotter rumor.

And maybe the greater possibility.


More as I have it,


JJ

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