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Quick Trade Update

February 16, 2010, 2:37 PM ET [ Comments]
John Jaeckel
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
A couple of reports over the last 24 hours, originating with an on-air host at ESPN Radio in Chicago, have the Hawks close to a finalized deal involving both Cristobal Huet and Corey Crawford.

Allegedly, the original source of the rumor was a member of the Hawks' organization, who said this was the reason Huet did not play Sunday in Columbus, when most expected him to.

Like a lot of rumors, there are elements to this that add up and those that don't.

In the same report, the host apparently said the Hawks were looking at getting a "power forward" in return. This is somewhat at odds with the Hawks' current depth chart, which boasts Troy Brouwer, Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd, not to mention an injured Ben Eager.

All the practical reasons aside that Huet would be difficult to deal (the subject of a recent blog of mine!), I did find it very odd that he didn't play Sunday afternoon in Columbus, some 17 hours after Antti Niemi played through an OT/shootout win in Chicago.

Typically, in that scenario, Joel Quenneville would definitely play his other goaltender, barring injury. And to the best of my knowledge, Huet is not injured.

This could be (if it's anything legit) a deal the Hawks were close to concluding at the trade freeze, but couldn't get all the i's dotted in time to submit the paperwork to the league. And if that is the case, then I am guessing the dance partner to be (in order of likelihood): Atlanta, Montreal, Florida, Dallas, Minnesota.

I have some feelers out on this. And will report what I hear.
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