The rumor mill is firing up as the March 21 trade deadline is a tad over a month away. With a chance to add new blood via futures like NHL-viable prospects and high draft picks, the Blackhawks need to maximize on trade returns and not let the other teams dictate deals to their advantage.
With the trio of recent Chicago players in rumors -- namely Marc-Andre Fleury, Patrick Kane, and Brandon Hagel -- the Hawks should be in the driver's seat if they see trades to be had involving them that would move the needle in a substantially productive direction for the franchise.
Of course, Fleury would need to approve a trade even though he doesn't formally possess a no-trade or no-movement clause as it's believed he has a handshake deal with the Hawks to not ship him out without his consent. Kane would need to waive his NMC. Hagel has no leverage whatsoever.
Marc-Andre Fleury
Ice Breakers 🧊🏒 With Robin Lehner injured, team sources say Vegas @GoldenKnights expressed interest in a Marc-Andre Fleury reunion.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 15, 2022
More at @DailyFaceoff ⬇ï¸https://t.co/hHrVm4eIwl
If this deal were to grow legs, Vegas would need to free up more cap space as their salary structure is already tight as it is especially when considering it took Mark Stone to go on LTIR in order to fit in Jack Eichel's paychecks and make him eligible to play after neck surgery.
However, according to Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon: "There is absolutely no credence to that rumor at all. I wouldn't normally speak (officially) on such things, but there will be so much racket about this, it's important to let people know that's not going to happen."
In yesterday's blog, I mentioned the subterfuge that NHL general managers play during this time of year whether that's denying trade rumors or claiming that their team is standing pat. It's okay to call their bluff because chances are they really are just fabricating a smokescreen.
Assuming the Golden Knights are serious about bringing Fleury back to Sin City, the Hawks could gain significant returns if they retain up to half of Flower's salary and take a contract back. If that's the case, the 2023 1st rounder or top prospect Brendan Brisson is where negotiation starts.
Patrick Kane
Teams have reached out to the Chicago Blackhawks to see if Patrick Kane is available in a trade, per @FriedgeHNIC.
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) February 16, 2022
Back in December, Larry Brooks from the New York Post wrote a piece proposing a blockbuster trade between the Rangers and Blackhawks involving Kane. With Alexis Lafreniere and Braden Schneider as the untouchables for the Blue Shirts, the Hawks would get the following:
Kaapo Kakko Vitali Kravtsov Nils Lundqvist 2022 1st rounder
Personally, I would swap out Kakko and Kravtsov with any two of a 2023 1st rounder, either rearguard Matthew Robertson or K'Andre Miller, or fiesty scoring winger Brennan Othmann. Will Cuylle has some intrigue as well being a power forward with grit, sandpaper, and pro-caliber shot.
While reuniting with former linemate Artemi Panarin may be attractive to Kane, the Rangers wouldn't be the only suitor for #88. Regardless who the ultimate trade partner is, a return package should ideally be comprised of at least one 1st rounder and at least one blue chip prospect.
And if the Hawks retain maximum salary ($5.25M) and also take on salary, the quantity of 1st rounders should double and/or the quantity of top flight prospects should amplify. Kane has quite a bit left in the tank and can be an elite difference maker. As such, contenders should pay up.
Brandon Hagel
The Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly being offered a first-round pick and more for Brandon Hagel ahead of the trade deadline. https://t.co/3BM9BkqMQO
— NHL Trade Talk (@nhl_tradetalk) February 15, 2022
Thus, the rumored return that the Hawks expect in exchange for Hagel -- specifically a 1st rounder and a high-end prospect -- is not only realistic but also exactly what should be what it takes for the Hawks to sign off on the trade paperwork.
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IceHogs Game Summary
Starting Lineup
Altybarmakian - Reichel - Teply Hardman - McLaughlin - Busdeker Barratt - Gicewicz - Morrison Osipov - G Mitchell - Gabriel
Phillips - I Mitchell Kalynuk - Galvas Beaudin - Regula
Soderblom Delia
Abridged Boxscore
1st Goal (1-0): Galvas (Gicewicz) 2nd Goal (1-1): Miller (Rossi, Linhart) 3rd Goal (1-2): Cramarossa (Thompson, McIntyre) SH 4th Goal (2-2): I Mitchell (Regula, Teply) Shootout (3-2): I Mitchell
IceHogs: * Teply (miss) * Reichel (miss) * I Mitchell (goal)
Wild: * Cramarossa (miss) * Rossi (miss) * Rau (miss)
SOG For/Against: 35/25 PP: 0-for-3 PK: 1-for-1
Game Notes
* Lukas Reichel is just so fun to watch as he processes the game swiftly then playmakes; he's also adept at hastily moving the puck from zone to zone knowing what he wants to do with it at any point on the ice.
* Whether it's a situation of dump and chase or a situation of cycling, Andrei Altybarmakian hunts down pucks, retrieves them for teammates, and creates space for his team.
* Ian Mitchell scored his 5th goal in 5 games to knot the game up in regulation plus notched the shootout winner; predicated on intelligence and hustle, his defense is also getting so much more refined.
* Jakub Galvas continues to execute simple smart plays, maintain poise under pressure, and make an impact in all zones even with subtle technical skill to halt the other team or propel his own.
* Wyatt Kalynuk is gradually tempering his snarl which allows him to go toe to toe with opponents who crash his crease and not cross the line with a one-way ticket to the penalty box.
* For such a smooth skater, Alec Regula can be frustrating when defending odd-man rushes as he fails to exert any giddyup to catch up to the puck carrier and neutralize threats.
* The Hogs are on the ice again this evening in Milwaukee to take on the Admirals.
Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS: Ian Mitchell scored the game-tying tally in the third and buries the game winner in the shootout for a 3-2 comeback win over @IAWild! https://t.co/633yHgSIRc
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) February 16, 2022
Roster Updates
Hogs on the Move: Galvas and Soderblom Return to Rockford Ahead of Tonight's Matchup, Morris Recalled to #Blackhawks https://t.co/u8kv7ll1KI
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) February 15, 2022
Galvas could also get the recall but it wouldn't be surprising if Mitchell or Kalynuk get the nod instead. Kalynuk is showing incremental improvement as the season wears on and deserves another cup of coffee at some point. All of them should otherwise play big minutes in the AHL.
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General Manager Updates
32 Thoughts, written version. Enjoy! https://t.co/PQlcaPQx8r
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 15, 2022
"A couple people told me Chicago, at one point, indicated it was thinking of interviewing something like 20 people for the GM job. I don't think that's still the case, but it sounds like there's at least one more interview this week. This is going to be interesting. There's definitely a push for 'non-traditional.' Ultimately will be interesting to see who makes the final call."
Guesses on who this candidate may be could depend on what "non-traditional" means. If it means outside the game of hockey, there are countless individuals from other sports who could be candidates.
But if "non-traditional" alludes to not having any general manager experience in hockey, then former goalie now analyst Kevin Weekes is one to consider. So is Meghan Chayka who is an analytics maven.
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See you on the boards!