Nervous time in NHL as trade deadline approaches
Players know it's coming.
Like a freight train bearing down upon them, every middle-of-the-roster guy wonders if it's their name that's going to be called. Their shoulder that's going to be tapped. Their belongings that will have to be packed.
Is it their time to be traded?
The NHL trade deadline is just four days away and any number of Blackhawks (or IceHogs) could be with different organizations come February 29.
Andrew Desjardins vividly remembers what happened to him last year when he came to the Hawks from San Jose for Ben Smith.
"I was about halfway dressed before practice … and I get tapped on the shoulder," Desjardins said. "By the time you get up and start walking, you kind of know what's going on - especially when it's so close to deadline. …
"As soon as they said, 'Coach wants to see you' I was like, 'Oh. I'm getting traded.' "
Trades bring a wide range of emotions as players have to leave their teammates, and - as Desjardins said - completely uproot their lives from what is often comfortable surroundings at home.
"You're all set up and everything," Desjardins said. "But in my case it was excitement. … For me, it was that time. I don't like to say that too much, but for me I think it was time for me to move on. It worked out so perfectly.
"But it's different for everybody. Not everybody's gonna be ecstatic to get traded."
Especially when you are the one leaving the Blackhawks.
Last year, the only players the Hawks traded were Smith (for Desjardins) and defenseman Klas Dahlbeck (in the Antoine Vermette deal). Other than that, GM Stan Bowman parted with draft picks in acquiring Vermette and Kimmo Timonen.
This year, though, it might take a lot more than that if the Hawks hope to add an Andrew Ladd (Winnipeg), a Mikkel Boedker (Arizona), a Teddy Purcell (Edmonton), an Eric Staal (Carolina) or any other number of players rumored to be available.
Plenty of teams are after Ladd, who was on the Hawks' title-winning team of 2010. The 30-year-old has 17 goals and 17 assists, and hasn't been able to come to terms with the Jets on a long-term deal. Bowman was reportedly in Winnipeg on Tuesday when the Jets lost at home to Dallas.
The Hawks might have to part with a first-round pick and a prospect to land Ladd. The asking price could always get steeper, too, if other teams sweeten the pot.
That's what makes these nervous days for players like Andrew Shaw (restricted free agent after this season), Desjardins, Teuvo Teravainen, Phillip Danault, Dennis Rasmussen, Trevor van Riemsdyk and others.
"It would hurt big time to leave this organization," Shaw said. "Great group of guys, great organization - they treat you so well. You're in the city of Chicago playing in front of some of the best fans out there in sports. It's a fun place to play."
Said van Riemsdyk, who has two years left on his deal: "Obviously it would (hurt). ... There's so many great guys in this room that make you feel so welcome and so great. …
"But that's how it goes. This is a business."
The Hawks could also move defensemen Erik Gustafsson (one year left at $667,500) or Viktor Svedberg (RFA in July). And of course, they'd love to unload Bryan Bickell's contract, but they might have to eat a good chunk of his $4 million cap hit if they can find a taker.
Desjardins said he expects no special treatment just because he signed with the Hawks in the off-season for less money than he could have received elsewhere.
Shaw won two Cups before he turned 24 and is an integral part of the team on and off the ice. Still, he knows the Hawks do whatever they can to win now - and worry about the future in the future.
Shaw said he'll feel a lot better if March 1 rolls around and he's still a Blackhawk.
"Focus on hockey and try not to worry about it," Shaw said. "But it's always there.
"You know, I love being a Blackhawk, I want to be here, I want to play here. I'd love to play my (entire) career here. I think they know that as well.
"Just waiting for that day to pass."
Scouting report
Blackhawks (38-19-5) vs. Nashville Predators (29-21-11) at United Center, 7 p.m.
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Radio: WGN 720-AM
The skinny: Nashville went through a rough stretch from mid-November to mid-December in which coach Peter Laviolette's team went just 4-8-3. The Predators treaded water for a bit but really got hot after losing to the Blackhawks on Jan. 19. Since that game, Nashville has gone 9-3-3 and now sits in fourth place in the Central Division. ... The Predators beat the Maple Leafs 3-2 on Tuesday with Filip Forsberg recording a hat trick before the game was 26 minutes old. Forsberg had just 2 goals through 21 games but now has 23 on the season. He has 9 in the last nine games. ... Corey Crawford starts in net for the Blackhawks. ... The Hawks are 3-1 vs. Nashville.
Next: Washington Capitals at the United Center, 11:30 a.m. Sunday
- John Dietz