Hawks not alone facing decisions

Deal or no deal.

This is the dilemma facing most NHL contenders, including the Blackhawks, as the clock ticks toward Wednesday's 2 p.m. trade deadline.

It's more than likely the Hawks will make a trade for an experienced center. The only question is how big a deal general manager Dale Tallon can swing.

History says there will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 trades made before Wednesday, although with so many teams still alive in the playoff races there's always a chance that number could be smaller.

In the Western Conference, only Colorado and Phoenix appear to be out of it with just 6 points separating eighth-place Anaheim from 13th-place Los Angeles.

Then there are salary-cap considerations. The majority of teams at the top of the standings are near the cap, the Hawks included, which makes trades much more difficult to complete.

There are fewer and fewer trades made in hockey as it is because of the salary cap. Since the start of the season in October, only 36 players had changed teams through Monday.

"I think it's obvious as a league we're probably getting more and more towards like football, where the team that you've built in the off-season is the team that carries you through the season," said Florida Panthers GM Jacques Martin on a conference call with reporters.

Last year's deadline saw 45 players traded in 25 deals. All but four teams made at least one trade.

Already there have been two deals of significance. On Thursday, Pittsburgh sent defenseman Ryan Whitney to Anaheim for winger Chris Kunitz. On Monday, Atlanta dealt defenseman Niclas Havelid to New Jersey for a prospect.

"There's a number of factors that are playing into this trade deadline," Vancouver GM Mike Gillis said. "The tightness of the races, the external economy factors. There are all sorts of stuff that is going to play into it.

"I know a number of teams are looking at their fan base and don't want to make the suggestion that they are giving up on the season."

Four of the biggest names rumored to be on the move are Tampa Bay center Vinny Lecavalier, Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger and St. Louis winger Keith Tkachuk.

However, the likelihood is none of them get moved.

Florida is sixth in the Eastern Conference and trading Bouwmeester could send the wrong signal to Panthers fans, even if he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent and might not re-sign.

"I think it's clear that our priority for this franchise at this point in time is to make the playoffs this year," Martin said. "I think we're in the process of evaluating what's available for Jay Bouwmeester, and come (Wednesday) a decision will be made whether we move forward with Jay on our team or if I feel that I can get something that makes us a better club."

While the Lightning has given no indication Lecavalier is available, Pronger could be in play for the right deal. Ducks GM Bob Murray told the Orange County Register he hasn't received an offer good enough for him to part with the hulking defenseman.

"If someone blows me away with a package, I'll listen," Murray said.

Most of the trades made before Wednesday will be for depth players.

"Part of the driving force in these deadline deals is getting depth," Boston GM Peter Chiarelli said. "I think that I can speak for all the teams. They always want to get as deep as they can."

Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks at the United Center, 7:30 p.m.

TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus (CLTV)

Radio: WGN 720-AM

At a glance: The Hawks lead the season series 2-1, winning the last two meetings. They beat the Ducks 4-2 in Chicago on Dec. 3, scoring 3 goals in the final 5:45. Cristobal Huet starts in goal after getting Sunday off. Huet has allowed 8 goals in his last three periods.

Next: Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden, noon Saturday

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=276206">Hawks focus on finding a center <span class="date"> [3/3/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>