Blackhawks Trade Rumors

"The Hawks plan to target puck-moving defensemen, and there could be four good ones available in San Jose's Brian Campbell, Ottawa's Wade Redden, Colorado's John-Michael Liles and Montreal's Mark Streit. It's no secret that the Hawks would love to come out of the summer with either Campbell or Redden."

"The offense would be boosted by a defenseman who can play quarterback on the power play and Sharks free agent Brian Campbell fits the bill perfectly. The veteran scored eight goals and added 54 assists splitting time with the Sabres and Sharks but is rumored to want up to $8 million per season. The Hawks are well below the salary cap. Other defensemen the Hawks could be interested in are Ottawa's Wade Redden and Colorado's John-Michael Liles."

"While not ruling out a trade, Tallon has targeted some potential free agents who would fit the bill. Heading the list is San Jose's Brian Campbell, who tied for third among NHL defensemen with 62 points and averaged more than 25 minutes."

"Tallon said he expects to sign all of his restricted free agents, a list that includes Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Adam Burish, James Wisniewski, Jordan Hendry and Rene Bourque."

"Kevyn Adams said he "absolutely would love to come back" next season, but Jason Williams' situation seems to be in a bit of flux after Hawks coach Denis Savard cut his ice time the last two games."

" Could Mike Babcock be the next coach of the Senators? The Detroit Red Wings bench boss could become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and while he has had contract talks with the Wings, there is a possibility he could be on the open market this summer... Chicago's Martin Havlat had shoulder surgery earlier this week. He will be ready for training camp next September, but don't be surprised if he's no longer with the Hawks. With one year left at $6 million US on his contract, many observers believe he will be traded in the off-season. "

"Surely everyone has noticed the Blackhawks making a strong push for a playoff spot without Nikolai Khabibulin and Martin Havlat, their two highest-paid players. What does this mean for next season? Maybe something, maybe nothing. General manager Dale Tallon listened to offers for both players at last month's deadline but couldn't pull the trigger. Now, with Khabibulin and Havlat injured, it's only going to be more difficult for Tallon to move them this off-season."

"NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made no promises Wednesday, but he did give the Blackhawks hope that they will be one of the next teams to host an outdoor game. During a news conference at the United Center, Bettman said there likely would be another outdoor game next season and that the Hawks were getting strong consideration to host it, possibly at Wrigley Field."

"The Hawks are one of six teams high-scoring Lightning center Brad Richards has agreed to be traded to, and according to ESPN.com, the Hawks have made an offer for him."

"With Sundin staying his course in Toronto and Peter Forsberg signing with the Colorado Avalanche yesterday, Murray continues his search. Names like Marian Hossa (Atlanta Thrashers), Sergei Fedorov (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Martin Lapointe (Chicago Blackhawks) have been bandied about."

"Tallon is more likely to pick up a defenseman today, and the Hawks need at least one with Brent Sopel out two to three weeks with a broken bone in his left wrist. Tallon, though, said Sopel's injury hasn't changed his planning for the trade deadline."

"Meanwhile, the Rangers are believed looking elsewhere for help on defense, perhaps toward Edmonton's Joni Pitkanen, since Tampa's Dan Boyle yesterday signed a six-year, $40 million extension that removes him from the top of the rental market... With Boyle re-signing with the Lightning, Tampa is expected to have to deal former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brad Richards, who has a no-trade clause and may have the Rangers, and possibly the Devils, on his short list of acceptables."

" Kings D Rob Blake could be dealt to the Avs, although he has refused to waive his no-trade clause ... There has been talk in NHL circles that the Senators may again ask D Wade Redden if he's interested in moving. Listening to Murray lately, that seems highly doubtful. Redden killed a deal to the Sharks for D Matt Carle and a draft pick earlier this month ... The Sabres have to make a decision on D Brian Campbell, who's also set to become an unrestricted free agent. "

"There are reports from Chicago that the Blackhawks might move highly paid ($6 million) and underperforming winger Martin Havlat (10-17-27 in 33 games)... In Tampa on Saturday, two well-placed NHL sources gave insight into the status of the two most prominent forwards: Hossa and Sundin. “Atlanta definitely is trading Hossa,” said one source, who guessed Montreal might be his destination. “They can’t sign him. They have to trade him.” Another source passed along word that the Detroit Red Wings offered Sundin a two-year contract extension if he would waive his no-trade agreement with the Maple Leafs. However, he refused to OK the deal."

"When Blues defenseman Barret Jackman goes on the league-wide market today, it will be a signal that the Devils couldn't come up with a satisfactory package to land the 2003 Rookie of the Year, an upcoming unrestricted who doesn't turn 27 until March 5... They made the case that their most pressing need really is for a center such as Chicago's Robert Lang. "

"Meanwhile, the 6-foot-3-inch Carter could be a nice fit for the Bruins, both for his size and touch, but they don't have that Kaberle-like blue liner to offer in return... It's that kind of package that gives Chiarelli some legit clout with Atlanta GM Don Waddell when talking a swap for Marian Hossa, but it's too much to yield if Hossa, age 29, doesn't first agree to a long-term deal (sign-and-trade agreement)... A couple of other top offensive performers rumored to be available: Alex Tanguay (Calgary) and Martin Havlat (Chicago)."

"Lapointe is believed to be coveted by two teams (Ottawa and Detroit) needing more of a physical presence... According to reports, Columbus is very interested in Richards, perhaps offering goalie Pascal Leclaire. "

"The ChicagoBlackhawks have discussed dealing centre Tuomo Ruutu to the Pittsburgh Penguins. - The Florida Panthers have told teams they'd rather not give up captain Olli Jokinen because they remain in the playoff hunt in the Southeast Division. There's talk Florida might bring in Los Angeles left winger Ladislav Nagy. - The New York Islanders are trying to re-sign centre Mike Comrie, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. GM Garth Snow said he has been pleased with Comrie's play and the two sides are looking at a long-term contract. "

"Defenseman Andrei Zyuzin is sure to be offered in trade talks this week. An unrestricted free agent this summer, Zyuzin was scratched for the 16th straight game Tuesday."

"Perreault, 36, has had an up-and-down season but remains one of the best faceoff men in the NHL. That skill, coupled with the fact he'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, made him a likely trade candidate before the Feb. 26 deadline. Trade talks are expected to heat up this week as Dale Tallon joined other general managers for three days of meetings in Naples, Fla."

"Hawks general manager Dale Tallon has admitted involvement in the Forsberg negotiations, and two European news outlets reported during the weekend that Forsberg, 34, is weighing a three-year, $11 million offer from the Hawks. Hockey Night in Canada reported that a trade of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin to Ottawa for Wade Redden was a possibility, and sources in New York believe the New Jersey Devils are after Martin Havlat. If they get him, Havlat could play with Patrick Elias, a longtime friend. Tallon reportedly has long been interested in defensemen Brian Campbell of Buffalo and Dan Boyle of Tampa Bay."

"Tallon said he's still waiting to hear from free agent Peter Forsberg, who's expected to decide soon whether to return to the NHL and with which team. The Hawks are believed to have made the veteran center an offer for the rest of this season and the next two, which reportedly interests Forsberg."

"The NHL trade deadline is Feb. 26, and the Blackhawks, for a change, are in the thick of rumors that are swirling around the league."

" There appears to be truth to the report that the Devils and Thrashers talked in preseason about a trade of John Madden for Bobby Holik. The discussion is believed to have fallen apart for good because of the significant deferred payments due Madden, which would have traveled to the Thrashers. ... The drumbeat increased on the possibilities of New Jersey obtaining either Robert Lang or Martin Havlat from Chicago, neither a rental. "

"There is talk that if the Montreal Canadiens win the Marian Hossa sweepstakes, they might make a push for Chicago Blackhawks right winger Martin Havlat as well... While all the attention in Florida has been focused on centre Olli Jokinen, sources say centre Jozef Stumpel and winger Radek Dvorak are being shopped... A new name has surfaced on the NHL trade market with the clock ticking toward the deadline: Los Angeles Kings centre Mike Cammalleri."

"Yet another source said yesterday the Devils are trying to deal one of their eight defensemen, probably Johnny Oduya or Andy Greene, for a Top Six rental forward, almost certainly a center. Another figure reiterated Chicago's Robert Lang as a possibility and good fit, although he has another year on his contract and would probably be more costly."

"The countdown is on for the Ottawa Senators to choose the goaltender who will lead them into the Stanley Cup playoffs. Asked yesterday if he was close to making a decision on whether Martin Gerber or Ray Emery would get the reins heading into the final quarter of the campaign, head coach John Paddock said the time is coming... General manager Bryan Murray could still trade for an upgrade between the pipes, though the names that have been thrown out so far (Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson and Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin) seem both unrealistic and counter-productive."

"The Devils are believed trying to upgrade their team both on defense and at center. Brad Richards, Olli Jokinen, Ladislav Nagy, Robert Lang and Martin Havlat are names mentioned by inside figures up front, with Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell, Rob Blake, Joni Pitkanen and John-Michael Liles among the possibilities on defense."

"According to various reports, Peter Forsberg might need at least another week to decide if his foot is ready for him to make a return to the NHL. The Hawks are one of the teams that have offered Forsberg a contract that he hasn't rejected."

" Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brad Stuart and Buffalo Sabres blue-liner Brian Campbell, both unrestricted free agents after this season, are said to be on the Devils' radar screen. So are forwards Ladislav Nagy of L.A. and Robert Lang of Chicago. "

"OK, this apparently is no joke. According to an NHL source with inside knowledge of the situation, the Blackhawks are among the handful of teams still in the picture to sign free-agent center Peter Forsberg."

"Hawks general manager Dale Tallon has made what he termed a strong offer to free-agent center Peter Forsberg, who's trying to work his way back from a foot injury."

"How would Hawks fans feel about a trade of Cam Barker and Jack Skille, both former No. 1 draft picks, to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Brian Campbell?"

"There are other rumours floating around this team. The most plausible has goaltender Ray Emery going to Chicago in a straight-up swap for Nikolai Khabibulin... How about Antoine Vermette and a high draft choice for Marian Hossa, who once played for the Senators? "

"Chicago RW Martin Havlat and coach Denis Savard aren't getting along these days. Chicago papers speculated that Havlat could be shipped elsewhere because the all-star winger is only one season away from becoming an unrestricted free agent. League sources, however, say Savard could be in trouble... Minny D Nick Schultz could be moved before the Feb. 26 trade deadline... The Panthers can keep up their breathless denials all they want, but they have tried to move C Olli Jokinen several times this season and they're still trying."

"The six-year, $39 million contract Dion Phaneuf got from the Flames on Wednesday should affect deals for defensemen all around the NHL. Hawks general manager Dale Tallon has to sign Brent Seabrook and now wonders what the new asking price will be. Seabrook, scheduled to be a restricted free agent, earns $942,000 and could want to be paid in the neighborhood of $3 million a year."

" Reports from across the league are trickling in. Peter Forsberg has apparently said thanks but no thanks to Dallas, Nashville, Detroit, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Calgary. Unofficially, that would leave Philadelphia , Colorado, Anaheim, Vancouver, Chicago and Ottawa still in the running for the Swedish star's services. "

"Lightning GM Jay Feaster said during Tuesday's nationally televised game he intends to speak to the agent for Boyle, George Bazos, about a possible contract extension before Boyle becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer... Chicago is believed to be the most interested and have scouted the Lightning extensively the past two weeks, as have Phoenix and Ottawa, who were both in attendance Saturday."

"All indications point to Tallon wanting to be both a buyer and seller at the deadline. Veterans Martin Lapointe, Yanic Perreault and Andrei Zyuzin are available, with each scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the season. Ottawa and Detroit are believed to be interested in Lapointe, with both teams in need of more grit for the playoffs. "

"I don't buy into too many trade rumors, but one I read today said the Blackhawks were shopping Martin Havlat. Being a semi-diligent reporter I put in a call to general manager Dale Tallon and he said he'd heard the same rumor. Turns out it's not true. "I'm not shopping him at all," Tallon said. Tallon also said he's not close to any other deal. "

"John-Michael Liles is aware he is being mentioned in trade rumors, and the Avalanche defenseman expects the speculation to continue right up until the NHL's Feb. 26 trading deadline... Coincidentally, the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Pepsi Center tonight, and they are one of the teams believed to be interested in Liles, 27, who is in the final year of his contract and would be eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1."

"Contending that some players were happy to sign big contracts but didn't seem to show a commitment to winning, Savard said, 'Let's go upstairs [to management] and get them out of here.' He will get his chance because general manager Dale Tallon said he would meet with Savard before the Hawks' next game Wednesday night in Colorado, the first of a seven-game trip, to discuss Savard's dissatisfaction with some players."

"Not only has Hawks pro scout Marc Bergevin been following the Tampa Bay Lightning this week, so has Dallas Stars co-general manager Brett Hull. There has been speculation that if the Lightning trades for a goalie, it could be the Stars' Marty Turco and not Nikolai Khabibulin."

"The hard part for Tallon is finding a team both with a goaltending need and a dealing GM. We'd suggest stumbling Toronto, but GM John Ferguson Jr. may be fired today and might not answer his phone. Perhaps Tampa Bay GM Jay Feaster would bite, though defenseman Filip Kuba, whose ears are burning after recent criticism by head coach John Tortorella, might not be enough in return."

"General manager Dale Tallon said Monday he's still working on a deal to bring in a veteran defenseman."

"Teams have been sniffing around Rangers 6-foot-6, 240-pound defenseman Marek Malik, an 11-year vet, and it would be logical to think the Hawks might be one of them. On the other hand, since everyone we know in hockey thinks the Hawks are going to overpay to get Buffalo free agent Brian Campbell next summer, why not deal for him now and get him acclimated to Barnum and Bailey?"

"General manager Dale Tallon a few days ago was believed to be close to making a trade for a veteran defenseman to play the point on the power play. A deal still could happen at some point this week, according to team sources."

""There's a strong possibility there will be a trade shortly," Tallon said Thursday night. "We're looking to get more of a veteran on the back end to help our kids and somebody who fits into our plans." Tallon could pull the trigger on a deal for a defenseman as soon as Friday, and it likely would be more significant than Thursday's deal"

"If by some miracle Peter Forsberg's surgically repaired right foot responds well to intense skating over the next few weeks in his native Sweden, the Flyers will be waiting with pen in hand... With the NHL trade deadline less than two months away, some high-profile players already are being mentioned in trade rumors as teams try to trade heavy contracts for prospects. Two of the most intriguing names are Mats Sundin and Jaromir Jagr."

"Tallon might have the answer to that as he's surrounded by other NHL GMs in Prague to scout young talent and has been talking trades to help bolster the Hawks' depleted group."

"Unless the Hawks continue to suffer injuries, it's likely Sergei Samsonov won't play another game with them this season."

"We live in a town that grows ivy on outfield walls, installs showers to cool down sweaty fans and moved an NFL championship game indoors because of bitterly frigid weather. So what I'm proposing here is not odd. Did you see that hockey game Tuesday, the one played outdoors at a Buffalo football stadium, the one romanticizing the face-chapped, teeth-chattering joys of Northerness? That should be us next year, going 60,000 strong at Soldier Field."

" Know this: As sure it snows in Buffalo in the wintertime, the NHL will be playing outdoors again. All that is left to be determined is where and when? How, after all, on the heels of two very successful ventures, in Edmonton four years ago and Buffalo two days ago, can the league, ah, close the door on the idea of playing outside again? "