Fortunately for Hawks, needs are few
First, Jarome Iginla was asked if he had any particular teams in mind to which he’d prefer to be traded. He dodged the question, saying, “It’ll all work itself out.”
Then he was asked if he had submitted a list of teams to Calgary Flames management. He danced around the question, saying, “I know there’s a lot of talk out there.”
Then he was asked if, at this stage of his career, it was important for him to go to a team that had a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup.
Iginla, the Flames genial captain, simply smiled, waved his hand and began walking away from the media throng, saying, “I’m done, guys.”
Less than 24 hours later, it appeared he finally was. Iginla, the biggest prize in this year’s tradedeadline feeding frenzy, was a healthy scratch Wednesday and appeared to be on the verge of being dealt to the Boston Bruins — one of those contending teams on that reported list — for young defenseman Matt Bartkowski, prospect Alexander Khokhlachev and a first-round draft pick, according to numerous reports out of Canada.
The Blackhawks also were rumored to be on Iginla’s list, but he was a tough fit for the Hawks, who are stacked at right wing with Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane, and who are more in the market for depth at center (both Patrick Sharp and Kane have played center in the past but greatly prefer to play their natural positions on the wing). The Bruins, meanwhile, needed to make a move to answer the Pittsburgh Penguins’ deals to land veteran forward Brenden Morrow from the Dallas Stars and big defenseman Douglas Murray from the San Jose Sharks.
Iginla’s ordeal — amplified by a voracious Canadian media and his Hall of Fame stature — is over. But for countless players across the NHL, theirs is just beginning. As the April 3 trade deadline looms, they must deal with ever-intensifying speculation and must do their best to block out the noise.
“I think we probably haven’t reached that point yet, but once it gets down to the last couple days, you’ll start thinking about it a little more,” Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane said.
Of course, the week leading up to the trade deadline is far less stressful for a team such as the Hawks than a team such as the Flames. The Hawks, if anything, are buyers, looking to add a player or two and unlikely to move significant pieces off their roster. The Washington Capitals’ Mike Riberio and the Stars’ Derek Roy are two highly attractive centers, but the price might be too high for either.
At 25-4-3 and with the most points in the league, they’re in the advantageous position of not desperately needing anything. In fact, even if they don’t make a move, no team in the league is going to get the boost at the trade deadline that the Hawks will, with Marian Hossa (possibly Friday against the Anaheim Ducks) and Patrick Sharp (possibly next week) on the verge of returning from shoulder injuries.
“We like our team, we like the depth of our team and our organization, as well,” said Hawks coach Joel Quenneville, who said he’s involved in discussions with management about team needs and potential deals. “It’s been a good year and a fun year to date, so I’m very happy with what we have, and I’m excited about it.”
But even for the Hawks, the possibility of adding a checking center who can win faceoffs could mean somebody is on the way out of the lineup, even if it’s not a major shakeup. Quenneville said he hasn’t thought that far ahead, and neither should his players.
“We’re in a short-term business as coaches, trying to get everybody ready and make sure their focus is on the proper areas,” he said. “We’ll control what we can control as individuals.”