It looks like the dismantling of the Chicago Blackhawks has begun. Various media outlets, including TSN, are reporting that the Stanley Cup champions have traded forwards Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and blueliner Brent Sopel to the Atlanta Thrashers. Forward prospect Akim Aliu is also part of the deal, and headed to ATL.

Coming back the other way are forwards Marty Reasoner and Jeremy Morin. The icing on the cake however is the acquisition of a couple of draft picks, a 1st and a 2nd in this year's Entry Draft.

In fact, both of the picks given up by Atlanta were acquired from New Jersey in the Ilya Kovalchuk deal in early February.