NHL Trade Rumors: Clock Winds Down on Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman (UPDATE)

The Chicago Blackhawks return from California in proverbial tail between their legs fashion. Further upstairs, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman is letting the sands run out as far as providing help for the season's final weeks.

With mere hours looming until the trade deadline, no deals are in place. The 'Hawks dropped a pair of games on the West Coast and find themselves in need of something to aid in putting a dreadful February in the rear-view mirror.

The clock's ticking...what's up Bowman's sleeve?

A shocking eleventh-hour trade? Tacit acceptance of the fate of the team he assembled this summer? A face-saving band aid and a sob story of a trade market that didn't break Bowman's way?

Answers are coming by this afternoon. Quite possibly, a lot of questions as well.

I feel a lot of "open letters" to Stan Bowman on the horizon.

Throughout the trade process, Bowman has refused to overpay. He has clutched his cap surplus, his genius draft picks and his top prospects close and hasn't let them go.

Has he been saving them for the big move no one sees coming, or will they be wasted on the small potatoes obtained to create the false impression of upgrading? We should all know in a few hours.

I'll be keeping an ear to the ground throughout the day and be ready to offer an opinion to any transactions that develop. Check back to the 'Hawks page on Bleacher Report periodically to see what transpires.

UPDATE: Johnny Oduya of Winnipeg was obtained for 2nd and 3rd round picks in the 2013 draft. The Blackhawks have also dealt John Scott to the New York Rangers for a 5th round pick this summer, as per ESPNChicago.com.

Stan Bowman is preparing to address the media soon. I'll try to have my thoughts up later this evening.