NHL Trade Rumors: Blackhawks Must Trade for Derick Brassard

Chicago needs to make acquiring Derick Brassard their number one priority. John Jaeckel of hockeybuzz.com is reporting that the Hawks have interest in Brassard and other Blue Jackets:

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My information is, Columbus GM Scott Howson approached the Hawks as recently as yesterday, asking what they would offer for (Jeff) Carter. I have also heard for weeks now that Howson and Stan Bowman have been engaged on Rick Nash, then Derek Brassard and now Carter.

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Blackhawks' GM Stan Bowman is in a place of desperation. His talented Hawks are preparing for a Stanley Cup playoffs run, and he has uncertainty at center, not to mention a lack of depth and size on the blue line. 

Captain Jonathan Toews' has apparently suffered the second concussion of his career. Al Cimaglia of myfoxchicago.com reported this:

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On Wednesday, Joel Quenneville commented on the injury status of Jonathan Toews for the Dallas game. He listed Toews as day-to-day with an upper body injury and is out for Thursday night’s contest.

Shorty thereafter, it was reported by Jay Zawaski of 670 The Score, that his source indicated Toews suffered a concussion.

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This could certainly complicate things in regards to his availability going forward. The Hawks need to be proactive in adding a potential replacement to the roster, in case Toews can't go.

Jaeckel mentions that a roster player would be the asking price for Brassard, and if the Hawks' are serious about a playoff run, they'll go hard to make the deal.

Brassard is a talented young playmaker, who could benefit from being surrounded by a more talented team. The Blue Jackets are the worst team in the NHL with a 18-36-7 record and a league worst, 43 points. The next closest team is 11 points ahead of them. It's been a bad year to say the least.

Brassard should welcome the chance to play on a better team, with a chance to make a serious playoff run.

Don't get me wrong, if Toews is out for an extended time, there is no way the Hawks won't feel the absence of their captain—and one of the league's best players—but in a worst-case scenario, Brassard could give quality minutes in his stead.

Through 54 games, Brassard has tallied 11 goals and 15 assists in just over 15 minutes of ice time per game. His numbers aren't overwhelming, but much of that I believe can be overcome with a change in scenery.

Brassard is only 24, and he was the sixth pick overall in 2006. He seemed to be headed for stardom early, but an injury in 2008 slowed him. Even still, his scoring numbers have ascended every year, over the past three seasons.

Acquiring Brassard at this stage in his career could prove to be a huge pick up late this season, as well as an unexpected benefit moving forward.

With Brendan Morrison headed for free agency, Brassard could at worst, slide into his spot in the center rotation.

He is signed through 2013-14 with a cap hit of $3.2 million. It's an investment worth making for the present, as well as the potential upside Brassard offers.