Report: Hawks Expected To Use These Three Players As Trade Bait.

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MarcO
March 4, 2021 (4:56 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks continue to roll along and sit only three points the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Discover Central Division. As long as the Hawks don't completely crumble they should have a really good shot at making the playoffs. Even with a playoff run, the Blackhawks are still expected to sell off some assets during the NHL trade deadline. We've heard some chatter about Dylan Strome however that's a bit a of a tougher deal that might wait until the offseason. However Hawks' insiders Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus of The Athletic revealed the three players that are likely going to be used as trade bait at the deadline:"Janmark, forward: Any of the Blackhawks' upcoming unrestricted free agents (UFAs) are probably possibilities. Janmark may have the most trade juice given his surprising offensive production. Even if the Blackhawks wanted to re-sign him, what's keeping them from trading him for assets and then signing him after the season?
Carl Soderberg, center: The 35-year-old veteran, signed in a pinch after Dach broke his wrist, took a while to make an impact, but he has been excellent of late. He has four goals and four assists in his past eight games. A productive, veteran two-way center who's a plus-faceoff guy and can both kill penalties and play on the power play? There could be some value there to a contender looking to bolster its lineup down the middle. Think Michal Handzus in 2013.
Wallmark, forward: Wallmark is a well-regarded two-way forward who hasn't made the kind of impact in Chicago that some expected, thanks to the early arrival of some younger players such as Hagel and Kurashev. But Wallmark is a very reliable, very affordable ($950,000) center on an expiring contract. That's exactly the type of player who gets traded at the deadline. He might fetch only a midround draft pick or less, but do the Blackhawks really see him as a long-term piece?"Do you think the Hawks will move all three?

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