Live Bait (blackhawks)

* Marc-Andre Fleury will have plenty of contenders kicking the tires on him but he controls his own destiny; my spidey sense says he does get traded for a 1st and another asset then re-signs with the Hawks in the offseason for another year.

* Calvin de Haan is good as gone as contenders seek veteran help from defensive defensemen on their blueline; it's likely just a matter of which team and trying to get an optimal 2nd rounder but a 3rd seems more realistic.

* I would think that Erik Gustafsson is being dangled to see if there are any takers for any draft pick (i.e. 5th round or later); if he stays put, the Hawks either try shipping him out again this summer or just let him walk.

* Although there are no rumors to Seth Jones being shopped, I wouldn't be surprised if the Hawks are surreptitiously talking to other teams about him for a blockbuster package in order to start the rebuild without him and his 8 x $9.5M contract.

* Similar to Gustafsson, Jake McCabe may be put out there as trade bait to see if there are any suitors but for the same reason why de Haan may be coveted (i.e. contenders wanting a veteran defensive defensemen).

* Connor Murphy actually would have been the biggest trade chip out of him, McCabe, and de Haan but his recent head injury is a concern and likely scares off buyers; perhaps he's on the market this summer instead.

* General manager Kyle Davidson will no doubt listen to offers for Patrick Kane that come across his desk; however, like Fleury, Kane controls his destiny and will simply decline to waive his NMC so he can stay in Chicago.

* There seems to be renewed and heightened interest in Dylan Strome but my gut is that the Hawks retain and re-sign him not only because the offers could be underwhelming but also because the Hawks need a top 6 center for a rebuild.

* Like de Haan, Dominik Kubalik is good as gone and boils down to which team with the return being either a classic hockey trade (i.e. for another roster player) or a 2nd or 3rd rounder; my preference is a pick rather than a reclamation project.

* By that same vein, another team looking for a reclamation project could have interest in Henrik Borgstrom who has one more year left at $1M AAV on his contract; he's either gone at the deadline or offseason for a draft pick or prospect.

* Ryan Carpenter is the third "good as gone" candidate eventually heading to a contender seeking a 4th liner who can take draws, play in defensive situations including the penalty kill, and bring some grit; expect a 4th rounder or later in return.

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Blackhawks Notebook

* Interim head coach is again going with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen for this weekend's games.

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IceHogs Notebook

* Cliff Watson has a knee injury that will take him out for 1-2 weeks; Kale Howarth is also still on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

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See you on the boards!

Sources: Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, NBC Sports Chicago, The Athletic Chicago

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