The Chicago Blackhawks, according to TSN’s Farhan Lalji, have “serious interest” in a pair of pending unrestricted free agents on the Vancouver Canucks -- defenseman Dan Hamhuis and winger Radim Vrbata.
Assuming the report is true, click here and here to better understand it from Chicago’s perspective.
It’s still not known if Hamhuis is willing to waive his no-trade clause. That’s a decision with which the 33-year-old has been wrestling.
“If you look at it from a pure hockey aspect — if I was chasing the money — leaving would be the best option to have the most exposure, if I was traded to a top-end team,” he told The Province recently. “But there’s more to it than that in my decision. I look at it that it’s a great situation in Vancouver for me and for my family. I certainly would consider what that would do to the family, too.”
As for Vrbata, some are skeptical about Chicago’s interest in the 34-year-old who’s currently out with an injury:
Vrbata is playing RW, 3rd line, for Vancouver. How, exactly, is that a fit for #Blackhawks ... who need a top 6 LW for Toews/Hossa?
— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) February 25, 2016
That being said, there have reportedly been scouts from the ‘Hawks taking a look at him.
As for a potential return, the Canucks could theoretically have interest in a young defenseman like Ville Pokka. It’s worth wondering if they’d be willing to take on Bryan Bickell’s contract to sweeten any deal.