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With Unrestricted Free Agency kicking off in mere hours, this is what I'm hearing.
The Blackhawks have talked to and might still be talking to the Ottawa Senators about Jason Spezza. This deal would likely include Patrick Sharp.
The Hawks also have interest in free agent to be Paul Stastny, but the salary cap mechanics of this acquisition are much more cumbersome, and unlikely.
The Hawks are looking to unload contracts: Sharp, possibly Johnny Oduya or Nick Leddy, Michal Rozsival, Kris Versteeg. This is complicated by no movement clauses in some of the players' contracts.
Further, while some trades could go down today, or a trade, in all likelihood, there will be a lull in trade activity until after some players come off the market in free agency.
Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks added another center last night, Nate Thompson from Tampa Bay, a player the Hawks have been inquiring about the last couple of seasons. This leaves you to wonder if Duck GM Bob Murray isn't following the Dean Lombardi prescription to beat the Hawks: get bigger and better and more experienced down the middle, with the recent acquisitions of Thompson and Ryan Kesler.
Could be an interesting day today, or the calm before the storm.
JJ