Chicago Blackhawks: 10 Teams the Hawks Could Trade with

For the Chicago Blackhawks, it's near time. It's near time for Stan Bowman to pull the trigger and make a move. It seems clear, the Hawks need to improve and it may need to happen with a trade.

What's needed? If we talked about it a mere two months ago, it would have been a second- or third-line forward. While this would still help, the Hawks are scoring goals. Only one team, the Philadelphia Flyers, have scored more goals than the Hawks so far this season.

The trouble is, only two other teams in the Western Conference, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks, have given up more goals than Chicago. Those two teams are in the basement.

As of right now, adding another defenseman in the top six is critical. Most Hawk fans would like to see management acquire both a forward and a defenseman. With a little more than $6 million to spend in cap space and the prospects to move, the Hawks can do this.

Some teams in the NHL know their fate, others are slipping. Here is a list of teams that the Hawks should have on speed dial.   

Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks are hurting. As of Wednesday morning the Ducks are 8-16-5, with 21 points and sit second-to-last in the Western Conference.

It's a shame that Teemu Selanne signed on for one more year and this is the result. Will they move him? It's possible.

With the Ducks needing to retool, they have some pending unrestricted free agents that they will be dangling.

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Francois Beauchemin

Forwards: Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu, Jason Blake 

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames are such a difficult team to put a finger on. They have good players and can play well at times, but they always seem to pump their fanbase up right before letting them down.

Right now, the Flames are still in the hunt and time will tell how long that lasts. This team will have some major decisions to make in the next few weeks.

Although the Hawks and Flames have not always enjoyed each other's company, if the Flames find themselves selling, one would hope the Hawks could sniff out a couple of players.

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Cory Sarich

Forwards: David Moss, Lee Stempniak

Carolina Hurricanes

There's not much you can say about the Carolina Hurricanes other than it's another dismal year. Last place in the Eastern Conference is evidence enough. 

The Canes really need to think about what direction they are heading in for the future.

They too have a few unrestricted free agents-to-be in June. They will be better off shopping them instead of letting them walk.

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Bryan Allen, Tim Gleason

Forwards: Tuomo Ruutu, Chad Larose

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche are another team that will have some critical decisions to make. They do have some attractive players to consider.

Two defensemen, Erik Johnson and Kyle Quincey, are going to be restricted free agents over the summer and will get paid. 

The Avalanche have a hand-full of other players that will hit the open market and they may want to consider getting a return on some of them before hand.

I have written a number of times of how David Jones is high on my wish list. I hope he is there for the taking.

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Ryan O'Byrne

Forwards: David Jones, Milan Hejduk

Los Angeles Kings

What is happening to the L.A. Kings? Many thought the Kings would be cup contenders and some had them winning the West. Drew Doughty is not living up to his bulky contract and the team has been out of sync.

The Kings lost their fifth game in a row on Tuesday night and their playoff hopes are suddenly in jeopardy. There is still time for them, and after firing coach Terry Murray maybe things will change.

If they do miss the playoffs, do not expect a major fire sale; at the same time they may be willing to move a few players.   

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Willie Mitchell, Rob Scuderi 

Forwards: Jarret Stoll, Dustin Penner, Simone Gagne 

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils are still in the playoff picture in the East, but they may tail off. 

Odds of them holding onto Zach Parise after this year are minimal, and with his $6 million and Martin Brodeur's $5.2 million cap hit coming off the books, they are in a serious position to sell high now and buy big over the summer.

David Clarkson would be a great fit up front for the Hawks.

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Bryce Salvador

Forwards: David Clarkson

New York Islanders

There is a refrain in Long Island—the New York Islanders seem to be in a constant rebuilding phase.

One positive is their first line of Matt Moulson, John Tavares and P.A. Parenteau is a solid building block for the future.

Still, the Isles may want to trim some fat. Kyle Okposo needs a change of scenery and he could be a potential target.

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Mark Streit

Forwards: Kyle Okposo

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators are in last place in the Northeast Division in the East and will most likely be out of the money for the playoffs.

While the deck of cards they have is not as attractive as others, there are a couple of players that the Hawks could inquire about.

Both winger Nick Foligno and defenseman Filip Kuba are going to be unrestricted after this season. Foligno in particular, could be a nice fit on the third line.

The Sens are still rebuilding and they will be willing to listen if the Hawks offer a pick and/or a prospect.

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Filip Kuba 

Forwards: Nick Foligno, Chris Neil

Tampa Bay Lightning

Thank Goodness the 1-3-1 has not been working of late. The Tampa bay Lightning were supposed to be serious contenders this season after missing the Cup Finals by one game in the 2011 playoffs.

After signing defenseman Victor Hedman to a long term contract extension, they may find it difficult to keep two of their other blue-liners. They also have some attractive role players up front that may interest the Hawks.

As the Bolts continue to sink in the East, hopefully general manager Steve Yzerman still has a decent relationship with the Bowman family. There is a lot to like about some of the talent in Tampa.

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Pavel Kubina, Brett Clark

Forwards: Ted Purcell, Steve Downie

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets organization has been a good trading partner for the Hawks in the past, and that could continue.

The Jets are still finding their way, and while they may be regretting paying "Big Buff" Dustin Byfuglien his most recent checks, it will pay off eventually.

While I would love to find some way to lure Andrew Ladd back to Chicago, it's not going to happen. There are some, however, that the Jets may be willing to part ways with, and they do need young prospects.

Players to Consider:

Defensemen: Mark Stuart, Johnny Oduya, Zach Bogosian

Forwards: Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler