NHL Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks, Hamhuis and Vrbata
Dan Hamhuis of the Vancouver Canucks and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks
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On the Chicago Blackhawks …

  • Farhan Lalji: Hearing that the Chicago Blackhawks have serious interest in Canucks Dan Hamhuis and Radim Vrbata. Not known if Hamhuis will waive his no-trade clause.
  • Craig Morgan: The Blackhawks are one of eight teams that Radim Vrbata would waive his no-trade clause for. The Coyotes are also on his list of teams that he’d accept a trade to.
  • David Pagnotta: From a non-Canucks executive. The sense is that Dan Hamhuis is aware of the situation, and the Canucks would approach him if/when something is close for his blessing. There is high interest from three or four teams.
  • Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman is hoping to make a move or two before the deadline that could alter the course of the Blackhawks for this year and beyond.Source saying they weren’t close to any deals as of yesterday, but doing a lot of “tire kicking” to get a feel of what they might be able to do, and the cost to do it.

    Some teams are still deciding on whether they are buyers or sellers.

    The Blackhawks have already buried the Bryan Bickell’s and Rob Scuderi’s contracts in the AHL to get a bit more cap relief.

    The Blackhawks are looking for a top-six left winger to play with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, with Andrew Ladd and Mikkel Boedker coming up. Source said that the Hawks were still not sure what the Jets are doing with Ladd, so there haven’t been any serious talks between the teams. TSN reported that the Jets are going to trade him, and that the Blackhawks were one of six teams.

    Source said the Blackhawks would try not to give up a highly-valued prospect or player for a rental. So, trading Teuvo Teravainen for a rental is slim.

    There is talk that the Blachawks are interested again in acquiring a top-four defenseman, though Joel Quenneville backed his current group.

    “Our defense can handle it,” Quenneville said. “Right now, we’re a way better team when our (defensemen) are active on the back end. … The guys are all capable of joining the attack and making plays with the puck, all seven of the guys here.”