NHL Rumors: Blackhawks fire sale, Kessel to Boston, and DeBrusk for Chiarot?
Anthony Scultore
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The Chicago Blackhawks are playing much better since the start of the season that saw a coaching change to bring in Derek King. Despite the improvements, they are still unlikely to see postseason action.
Could the Hawks have a fire sale at the trade deadline? Who would be available? Let’s dive in.
NHL Rumors: Blackhawks fire sale
Marc-Andre Fleury is a pending UFA this summer, and will be a valuable trade chip for Chicago to bring in younger assets for the future. Even though he isn’t thinking about a trade, he is most likely one player likely to be moved.
Elliotte Friedman was on a NHL Network recently and broke down the Blackhawks.
“I heard there was a report that basically said it was anyone but (Patrick) Kane, (Jonathan) Toews, and (Seth) Jones,” Friedman began. “To be honest, I do believe teams asked about Kane and if they’re willing to do that. I don’t think they are.”
“You know (Dylan) Strome’s been on the market, but I think it would take an awful lot for someone like (Alex) DeBrincat,” he continued. “If he does get traded, the only thing you’re going to do is look at the package and say, ‘holy smokes– ok, I understand why it happened.’ Other than that I don’t think he gets traded.”
Friedman finished by saying both the Blackhawks and Canadiens probably have small list of untouchables. Taking everything into account, you can see that the Chicago, Montreal, and Arizona will be three teams moving plenty of assets for futures at the deadline.
Boston Bruins likely buyers
As the Boston Bruins heat up and move up the power rankings, they are most certainly going to be buyers at the trade deadline.
One player in particular they could be setting their sights on is Coyotes forward, Phil Kessel.
“We all know he’s headed to a team in need of a top forward who can contribute. In my fantasy hockey world, Kessel returns to Boston and helps the B’s win the Stanley Cup to complete the Kessel story arc,” Jeff Marek said in his most recent blog.
The move makes sense since Kessel is a pending UFA and won’t impact their cap next season. He is still productive at 34 years of age with 27 points in 39 games for the lowly Coyotes.
On another front, the Bruins still have to deal with Jake DeBrusk’s public trade request.
Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now contemplates if the Montreal Canadiens would be interested in DeBrusk in exchange for rental defenseman Ben Chiarot.
Jeff Gorton was interested in DeBrusk for the Rangers while he was there, so maybe this could be a possibility.
