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Well, it's one of those 2-3 times a year when my inboxes start to pile up with trade and free agency rumors. I don't have a lot right now to share, but I'll share what I have.

First, multiple sources are telling me that Niklas Hjalmarsson is in play with perhaps numerous suitors, the strongest rumor linking him to Ottawa, in exchange for depth center Zack Smith and a draft pick.

If the Senators want Hjalmarsson—and I believe his steady, defense first play would greatly help and complement the current blueline in Ottawa—then this is a deal that would greatly benefit both clubs.

Smith is the kind of player I am hearing the Hawks are looking for this summer: he's physical (160+ hits last season), kills penalties and wins faceoffs (over 50% for his career).

Plus this deal would save the Hawks $2.8 million in cap space, giving them more room to make a run at . . . Ryan Suter. I heard last night that the Hawks are one of a handful of teams Suter would like to talk to if he reaches free agency. However, I also heard Detroit is at the top of the list.

So if you see Hjalmarsson dealt, and right now I would put the odds at 55-45 he will be (can't slice it any finer than that), it tells you a couple of things: the Hawks will make a run at Suter and they also likely have a Plan B and a Plan C at defense. Right now, I don't know exactly who or what those plans are, but I am fairly certain the Hawks have a fairly long list of candidates in terms of depth defensemen—although one or two of those players could see second pairing time under the right circumstances.

Going back to Smith and trade rumors in general, these types of things rarely come to fruition as rumored. But they can and often do tell you what type of player the team is looking to add. Whether through trade or free agency, the Hawks will likely add a physical, lower line center who is strong on faceoffs: if not Smith, someone like Jay McClement, Daniel Winnik, or John Mitchell.

All for now, but more likely coming soon.



JJ

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