The Chicago Blackhawks could use additional scoring depth up front and another body on the blue line, and they might look to the Vancouver Canucks to fill both needs before Monday’s 3 p.m. ET NHL trade deadline.
TSN’s Farhan Lalji reported via Twitter on Thursday that Chicago has “serious interest” in Vancouver defenseman Dan Hamhuis and top-six right winger Radim Vrbata. Hamhuis would have to approve any deal because of the no-trade clause in his contract.
Hamhuis, when healthy, is able to fill a top-four role and log more than 20 minutes per night, including special teams. He’s not an elite scorer, but he’s not a bad puck-mover, either.
Vrbata has been a consistent goal scorer throughout his career and has enjoyed plenty of success in Vancouver, primarily as the third piece of the top line alongside Henrik and Daniel Sedin. He has tallied 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 57 games this season, and his HERO chart shows he grades as a second-liner in most facets of the game.
Vrbata and Hamhuis are pending unrestricted free agents.
Chicago has all of its first-round draft picks to offer in a potential trade with Vancouver, in addition to an estimated $4,758,163 of salary cap space to use at the deadline, per General Fanager.
Jim Benning has made many questionable moves in his short time as Canucks general manager, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Blackhawks acquired Hamhuis, Vrbata or both for a price less than expected.
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
