Deadline arrives as Blackhawks look to make a move

After weeks of kicking tires and playing phone tag, it's decision time for NHL general managers.

The trade deadline is today at 2 p.m., and if recent history is any indication there again will be a flurry of activity. Last year 44 players changed teams on deadline day.

Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon is expected to make some sort of move, and late Monday night there were rumors of a possible deal between the Hawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins involving Tuomo Ruutu.

Hawks pro scout Marc Bergevin recently spent a lot of time following the Penguins, who were believed at one point to be willing to move left wing Ryan Malone and defenseman Brooks Orpik -- both of whom are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents.

But Malone has 10 goals in the last 14 games, so he might be off the block.

"We're looking at every possibility -- we Google, too," Tallon said. "There's nothing we haven't thought of to try and make ourselves better. We're continuing discussions to see what's out there that makes sense."

The Hawks have made it known that winger Martin Lapointe and center Yanic Perreault are available because of their status as unrestricted free agents.

Andrei Zyuzin also is available, even though the Hawks are down a defenseman with Brent Sopel out for the next several weeks with a broken hand.

There was plenty of trade talk around the league Monday, but no deals other than free agent Peter Forsberg signing with Colorado.

"Everyone will push the panic button (today)," Tallon said. "Up until now everyone has been kicking tires and seeing if there was a better deal to be made."

Tallon said he has been laying groundwork for possible deals for weeks.

"You try to set yourself up and tell people what you want to do, who's available and what you're looking for in return," Tallon said. "You spread a lot of fertilizer, add a little water, a little sunshine and hope it comes to fruition."

Tallon claimed to be pursuing some of the bigger names available, such as Tampa Bay center Brad Richards. Most speculation Monday centered on Dallas and Columbus being the most interested in Richards.

It's not easy making big trades, particularly for those teams such as the Hawks that are not interested in renting players.

"The obstacles are term, (salary) cap issues, no-trade clauses -- there are a lot of things in play," Tallon said. "Are you going to rent a player who is a free agent, pay a big price and not be able to retain that player?"

That would be the Hawks' concern about trading today for a player such as Buffalo defenseman Brian Campbell or Tampa Bay defenseman Dan Boyle.

With 20 games remaining, the Hawks still believe they are in the playoff race in the Western Conference. Getting the right player before today's deadline could allow them to make one last push.

"I like our team, but I'm sure if something comes along that's going to help us they won't hesitate to make a move," Hawks coach Denis Savard said, alluding to Tallon and his staff.

Savard estimated the Hawks need to win 14 or 15 of their final 20 games to have a shot at the playoffs.

"But that's too much to look at for us," Savard said. "We need to win every week and if that's not good enough, it's a good start to where we're heading."