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I just heard at length from a source on a variety of topics concerning the Chicago Blackhawks.
Yes, these are 'rumors,' but the logic behind them seems right. Believe what you will.
First, as I reported earlier this year, the Blackhawks front office, specifically Joel Quenneville and the Bowmans, are truly working as a team. Any rift that may have existed in years past between Q and Stan Bowman is gone.
There are allegedly some in the front office who were not pleased with losing Brandon Saad—and felt Bowman was unprepared to handle the situation, should have traded Patrick Sharp earlier, etc. I'm told Bowman has defended his position, with the complete support of Quenneville, and has laid out a series of scenarios involving trading different players.
The one thing the team will do in all of those scenarios is re-sign Marcus Kruger, who Quenneville believes is essential to any realistic shot at a Cup this year.
And yes, one of those scenarios, let's call it "Plan D," would involve trading one Corey Crawford. However, bear in mind, that is literally the fourth option. The first three? They involve moving Bryan Bickell, and/or Kris Versteeg, and/or going very young.
Quenneville also believes, I'm told, the team needs to add a veteran defenseman this summer or before the trade deadline for a realistic Cup run. But one of those scenarios, the one that involves going very young, would likely mean the Hawks gamble on finding cap room at the deadline.
"Very young" also likely means Swedish rookie defenseman Erik Gustafsson makes the team in the 5-7 range.
Finally, again from a source, Brent Seabrook is staying in Chicago, this year and likely many more—and will wear the "A" that Patrick Sharp left behind in Chicago. And Seabrook has made it known to the Hawks that he will work with them on a cap-friendly extension.
There were those who scoffed when I reported Johnny Oduya would do the same last winter—well, in the end, it worked out otherwise, except it was common knowledge that Oduya was, in fact, willing to work with the Hawks earlier this summer, but they didn't have the money to close the deal.
Again, it's all rumor, but from a source I trust and the information is consistent with what I have heard from others who have been accurate many times.
All for now,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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