Blackhawks forward publicly asks to not be traded by Chicago at NHL trade deadline
Colin Blackwell is trying not to worry about the possibility of being traded and would rather stay with the Blackhawks.
"The only thing that really stresses me out about it, I don't really worry about myself anymore, but I've got a pregnant wife and stuff along those lines," Blackwell said. "So that's the most stressful part. For me I've been through it before and there's so much stuff out of your control.
"For the most part, I try not to think about it, try not to read too much into it. So much stuff can happen. For me, this is where I want to be. I'm enjoying the role that I'm playing. Throughout the course of my career, I always end up changing teams when I finally feel comfortable and I feel like I've got the coaches' and players' trust around me. I feel like I've finally gotten that after a year and a half of being here.
"For me, I don't want to go anywhere. The only thing I worry about is the family around me and how much stuff like that, whether they read it or something does happen, affects them."
With seven seasons already under his belt in the NHL, Blackwell has played for five different teams, and yet he remains driven and focused on leaving a positive impression on the coaching staff in Chicago.
"If you look at the trajectory of my career, every single time I have gotten a chance or gotten comfortable, a coach was let go or the end of a contract or expiring contract like right now and you get traded at the deadline or happened to be an expansion draft, stuff like that," Blackwell said. "That has been the trajectory of the last several years.
"Right now, I'm feeling comfortable where I'm at, how I'm playing. This is what you strive for as a player, to feel comfortable and get that confidence from some coaching staff and players that you're playing with and earn your keep in a role on the team"
Luke Richardson, the head coach of the Blackhawks, understands that Blackwell's skills and performance may attract interest from other teams. However, he empathetically hopes that Blackwell will stay with the team, as he values his contributions to the team's success.
"He's been great since he's been back," Richardson said. "A spark plug for us. Even last night, moving his feet, making strong plays all over the ice. He gives you all he's got and he's a great penalty killer as well. He's pretty good in the faceoff circle on the right side for that line.
"I think he's a really good utility tool for any team. I wouldn't be surprised if somebody calls about him. We're happy to keep him, too. Or I am."
Blackwell will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. With his $1.2 million cap hit, he is an appealing choice for contenders seeking forward depth, especially if the Blackhawks agree to retain a percentage of his salary to lower the cost even further. While he is certainly eager to chase a Stanley Cup, Blackwell is determined to do so with the Blackhawks and not with any other team.
"To be honest with you, I try not to think about it," Blackwell said when asked whether it would be bittersweet to be traded to a contender. "Like I said, I'm happy where I am. It's not something I'm trying to think about. I'm grateful to put on an Original Six franchise sweater every single night. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have here. This is somewhere I would like to be and hopefully it's past the trade deadline as well.
"This is something that I've seen, dating back to last year and seeing what's hopefully building for the future and that's something that I'd like to be a part of. So like I said, I'm comfortable here. I like it, and I'm finally feeling that comfort, which is hard to do in this league when you bounce around a little bit, so I try not to think about that stuff and just try to take it day by day."
| POLL | ||
Would you like to see Blackwell stay with the Blackhawks ? | ||
| Stay | 148 | 73.6 % |
| Would like to see him play for another team | 53 | 26.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
