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Some quick rumor updates on stories we've all been following.
By now, it's fairly clear Johnny Oduya is signing elsewhere than Chicago—possibly today. That his agent Don Meehan would come out and announce yesterday afternoon that Oduya is not returning to Chicago was interesting. Why make the announcement? Other teams have been free to contact Oduya up to that point. Or was it to let the Hawks know that Oduya's camp was folding up their tents and moving on?
Just seemed odd that he would make a point of an official statement as such.
One source told me it was just posturing, that Oduya's camp still wanted a deal with Chicago. But as more and more time passes without a deal, it is becoming more evident that Oduya is likely ticketed elsewhere.
The acquisition of Trevor Daley in the Patrick Sharp deal, at $3 million+ per year was probably the most clear indicator.
I did hear though, that in trying to re-ink Oduya, Stan Bowman was very busy yesterday morning, talking to teams about Bryan Bickell. Three specific teams I heard linked to the talks were New Jersey, Arizona, and Boston.
However, I also heard that the demands from other teams, as far as a Chicago throw-in to take Bickell's salary on, were enormous. One team is rumored to have asked for Teuvo Teravainen. Other names I heard mentioned were Andrew Shaw, Philip Danault and the rights to Marcus Kruger.
Hence why no deal was done yesterday.
Allegedly, Bowman has one reasonable offer that requires the Blackhawks to take some salary back. But then again, that mitigates the desired outcome of cap reduction.
Meanwhile, Kruger still sits out there unsigned, and the third defense pairing, if the season started today, is Trevor van Riemsdyk and David Rundblad.
If Bickell can't be dealt and no meaningful cap savings accrued, it does raise some question about what other assets Bowman might have to move. Shaw? Corey Crawford?
All for now and more as I hear it,
JJ
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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