NHL Trade Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks' Slide Limits Trade Partners

The Chicago Blackhawks are in a bit of a fix concerning their playoff positioning. A nine-game losing streak has brought the team crashing back to earth after sitting atop the Western Conference. It's also made life very difficult for GM Stan Bowman.

Bowman has a big chunk of cap room he was saving for a rainy day. Now, as it pours down upon the Blackhawks, the trade market continues to dry up.

Chicago lost 3-2 in Nashville despite a better effort on the ice. The 'Hawks power play was shut out yet again, making them 0-19 on their current road trip. Three penalties were successfully killed, but the Predators were a goal better in the end.

Bowman gave a vote of confidence to head coach Joel Quenneville going into the contest, so don't count on a change behind the boards to spark a reversal of fortune. The Blackhawks could get a kick start from injured defensemen Steve Montador and/or Niklas Hjalmarsson, but the play on the back end was encouraging Tuesday.

That leaves the prospect of a trade as a potential spark. After all, Bowman left money in the coffers for a mid-season acquisition. The time for dealing is upon us, only Bowman is having difficulties lining up a partner.

There aren't many teams in the Western Conference out of the running for the playoffs right now. The two points picked up by the Coyotes, Avalanche, and Flames during Chicago's slide have contributed to the pack forming for the last two or three spots.

Chicago is now a part of that pack, like it or not. Nashville opened up a seven-point gap in the standings between themselves at the fifth seed and the 'Hawks at the sixth seed. Los Angeles is even with Chicago on 65 points. Phoenix and Calgary are right there, two and three points behind the Blackhawks, respectively.

The team Bowman has assembled has been swallowed up by the chasing pack. Even Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota can hold out hope for a postseason appearance. Anaheim seems to be chasing rainbows, but Bob Murray looks to be holding onto his assets right now.

The only teams that seem out of it are the Oilers and Blue Jackets. That leaves Bowman waiting for some Eastern Conference teams to give up on the season.

Carolina sits in a position to deal, but signed Paul Gleason recently, eliminating a potential difference maker on the blue line. Tuomo Ruutu, a move that could at least bring the appearance of a big trade for Bowman, is currently injured.

The question for Bowman will be whether to give up a wealth of prospects in order to spark interest from the Islanders, Sabres, Canadiens or Lightning. He also has to wonder if his team will benefit from a deal by the time the market loosens up in two weeks.

Even two weeks ago, the Blackhawks were a team worth upgrading. Now, one has to wonder if a big move would make a difference or not. The big issue at hand is that the pool of talent Bowman expected to be available at this point of the season has not materialized.

Help isn't on the way and may not be coming at all. If Chicago is to right the ship, they should count on doing it themselves for the time being.