Frequently Asked Questions
Should the Blackhawks trade their young players like Hartman and Schmaltz for rental players?
No, the article strongly advises against trading young talent like Hartman, Schmaltz, Motte, Pokka, Forsling or Hinostroza for rentals. Last season's trades for Andrew Ladd, Tomas Fleischmann, and Dale Weise were disappointments, while traded prospect Phillip Danault is now thriving in Montreal.
What is the most likely Blackhawks trade deadline move according to this analysis?
Radim Vrbata from Arizona is given an 8/10 probability and called "the subtle and safe move" the Blackhawks will likely make. He's cheap at $1 million, leads the Coyotes with 35 points, and is a pending free agent with offensive upside.
Why won't the Blackhawks trade for Gabriel Landeskog?
Landeskog has a 0/10 probability because it would be "utterly insane" for the Blackhawks to add another expensive, long-term forward to their already tight salary cap situation. His $5.57 million cap hit makes him unaffordable for Chicago.
What are the chances of Patrick Sharp returning to the Blackhawks?
Sharp has only a 4/10 probability of returning because Dallas isn't quite out of the playoff race yet. He plays a critical role in the Stars' playoff push, so unless February goes badly for Dallas, he likely won't be moved.
Who would be better between Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata for the Blackhawks?
The article states Hanzal would be chosen over Vrbata "99 out of 100 times" because he's big, versatile, and an effective two-way center when healthy. However, Arizona's asking price for Hanzal is reportedly steeper than the Blackhawks can afford.