NHL Trade Rumors: Five Chicago Blackhawks Prospects They May Need To Move

The Chicago Blackhawks may be looking to upgrade their roster in the coming weeks.  Right now, two of the more glaring needs for the Blackhawks are:

1.  A play-making center to play on the second line.

2.  A defenseman not named Nick Boynton.

Bringing up Nick Leddy this week is an indicator that for now the team is going to address this issue in house for the time being.

I believe that if the Blackhawks are going to play the trading game, they should address the center position first.  Getting a player that can center the second line keeps Patrick Sharp at wing where he is most effective.  It will also allow Dave Bolland to anchor the third line, where he is better suited.

Of course, in order to get something, you have to part with something.

In order to bring in a player, the Hawks will have to move at least one player on their 50-man roster.  Chicago will also likely need to move some salary out of town in order for any new pieces to fit under the salary cap, but may have to toss in a prospect or two to get an impact player.

Here are some players in the Hawks system that may have to move in order to improve the club.

Shawn Lalonde, D

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LONDON,ON - SEPTEMBER 12: Shawn Lalonde #42 of the Chicago Black Hawks gets set to clear a puck in a game against the Ottawa Senators during the NHL Rookie Tournament on September 12,2010 at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario, Canada. The Senators

With Dylan Olson recently signing a contract with the Blackhawks and Nick Leddy already up with the team for the moment, Lalonde, Chicago's third round pick in 2008, could be expendable.

The 6-1, 190-pound defenseman has offensive skill and can play physical.  He hasn't come along as quickly as some Hawk fans had initially hoped, but definitely has NHL potential.

Brian Connelly, D

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 30: Brian Connelly #56 of the Chicago Blackhawks passes the puck against the St. Louis Blues during a pre-season game at the Scottrade Center on September 30, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Although the 24-year old defenseman is currently leading Rockford in points this season, the Hawks don't seem to have a place for him.

Connelly is a puck-mover who will contribute more offensively.  Chicago called up Leddy, who has more upside in that role.

Connelly, 5-10 and 165, does not posses the physical presence of Lalonde or the newly signed Dylan Olson, but may be a fit for another NHL team.

Kyle Beach, W

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 24: Kyle Beach #12 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Detroit Red Wings during a pre season game on September 24, 2010 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Chicago's first round pick in the 2008 draft, Beach currently is in Rockford, where he has 17 points so far this season.

The potential is still vast with Beach, who is an aggressive scorer with good size.  Rather than waiting for Beach to "mature" (stop playing dumb), the time might be right to move him before the shine wears off.

Giving up a player of Beach's potential might come back and bite the Hawks, but they are much deeper at wing then they are at center.

Igor Makarov, W

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LONDON, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 11: Igor Makarov #26 of the Chicago Black Hawks skates in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL Rookie Tournament on September 11,2010 at the John Labatt Centre in London,Ontario. The Leafs defeated the Hawks 6-

Makarov has been in Rockford, playing in his first season in North America after being drafted in the third round of the 2006 draft.

He's fast with a lot of upside on the offensive end.  Again, alone Makarov is not going to clear any cap space, but he could be a guy the Hawks send out of town to help bring in a center.

Brandon Pirri, C

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LONDON,ON - SEPTEMBER 14: Brandon Pirri #14 of the Chicago Black Hawks skates in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the NHL Rookie Tournament on September 14,2010 at the John Labatt Centre in London,Ontario. The Hawks defeated the Penguins 9-5

This would be a tough decision for the Hawks.

Pirri, a second round pick in 2009 who was a late cut for Canada's WJC team, looks to be the center Chicago needs. Just probably not this season.

Pirri is just 19 and is his first year of professional hockey after a year in college at RPI.  He was up with the Blackhawks for a game early in the season.  The organization would like to see him fill out a bit more physically, but could center the second line for a while in Chicago if he continues to develop.

The question for the Blackhawks looms large this month.  Is filling an immediate need at center worth the price of a player who could potentially fill that need in the future?