Lots of trade talk going on and the Chicago Blackhawks may not be finished
Scott Powers: Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said that there has been plenty of trade talk around the league. Bowman plans on continuing to watch the trade market to improve his team.
Ben Pope: Bowman: “We want to find some new players for our team. Whether that’s through trades or free agency, it doesn’t really matter.”
Tracey Myers of NHL.com: After acquiring defenseman Olli Maatta, GM Bowman said that he isn’t finished trying to make moves.
“Whether that’s through trade or free agency, it doesn’t matter too much. Right now, the trade chatter has been pretty active throughout the League. I’ve been in a number of conversations, and I expect that to continue over the next week.”
Bowman expects to continue to be active for the next couple of weeks trying to “improve our defense and the rest of our team.”
If they aren’t able to make any more moves they will look at the free agent market.
Jimmy Greenfield of Chicago Tribune: Bowman is looking to give the Blackhawks as many options as they can leading into next season.
“We’re going to keep looking for ways to improve our team, not just the defense but I’m not setting that aside either,” Bowman said on Sunday during a conference call with reporters. “It’s still early in the process here so as far as who’s going to be in our lineup on the opening night that’s a long ways off and that’s not really the focus of the discussions we have right now.
“We’re trying to bring in as many options as we can. Because this is the time you get a chance to improve your team. Over the next month or so is when there’s a lot of player movement.”
Scott Powers of The Athletic: (before Olli Maata trade) GM Stan Bowman had set out to bring some more depth to the Blackhawks blue line.
The Blackhawks had inquired about Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray. When healthy Murray looks like a top-four defenseman, but he has a long injury history.
They also had checked in on the Carolina Hurricanes to see the availability of Justin Faulk, Calvin de Haan and Dougie Hamilton.
“I think they’re talking about adding a top-4,” a source said. “But in fairness, they have probably talked about everyone in the top 7.”
A source is saying the Blackhawks and Dylan Sikura could have a new deal done in the next few weeks.
Source saying goaltender Ivan Nalimov still waiting to hear if the Blackhawks will sign him or not.