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Kimmo Timonen sent to Blackhawks for draft picks

Watch Kimmo Timonen's press conference as Flyers discuss his injury status
Watch Kimmo Timonen's press conference as Flyers discuss his injury status

And the Chicago Blackhawks appear to have gotten the defensive help they need. Wait, didn't they need a forward to replace the injured Patrick Kane? Yes, they do, but that's another story.

Chicago started its trade deadline period by landing blueliner Kimmo Timonen from Philadelphia.

In return, the Flyers got a second round draft pick in 2015 and a conditional draft pick in 2016. Timonen hasn’t played all year due to blood clots in his lower right leg and lungs.

Good for Timonen, one of the NHL’s true good guys, to go to a contender. Good for the Flyers to get something back for a guy who may never be the same again because of this issue. Good for the Blackhawks to get a guy who hasn’t played a game all season?

Timonen had been practicing with the Flyers since early February and appeared ready to return to game action.

Said Timonen to reporters Friday:

“You can skate and practice, you can do so much,” Timonen said. “But playing the game is when you get your timing back and your instincts are taking over. You can’t simulate that in practice. It’s going to take a few games. I don’t have exhibition games to ease myself into it. I have to be good to go right away. I feel really good right now and I’m sure I can help the team for sure when I get into top shape. Probably won’t be right away, but I’m sure I can help the team.”

And on his motivation:

“I decided then, if that small chance happened, the only thing missing from my hockey career is a Stanley Cup,” Timonen said. “That was the only goal for which I’d return to hockey.”

Said Chicago general manager Stan Bowman:

"We have been working on this one for a while," Bowman said. "He was the defenseman we really wanted."

And Philly general manager Ron Hextall on the Flyers' haul:

"First of all his cap number is friendly, so you have a team adding certainly a top four defenseman, maybe a top-two defenseman, at a cap number that is reasonable, so there’s value there. Not only are you getting a player, but you’re getting a damn good person too.  A guy who’s going to work hard every day.  He’s a consummate professional. He’s going to have a good influence on Chicago. Players like this don’t fall off trees. I understand he hasn’t played, but on the flip side of him not playing, he’s a rested hockey player and he’s probably in the best shape of his life." 

Hey, depth is important in the playoffs in many different ways. If Timonen is anything like the player who averaged over 20 minutes per-night a year ago and notched 35 points in 77 games, then Chicago will have bolstered its blueline with a savvy veteran puck moving defenseman.

If not, it didn’t have to give up a player off its roster for a guy whose one-year $2 million ($3.5 million cap hit per NHL Numbers) contract will expire at the end of the season. Still, will the Blackhawks go after forward help with Kane gone? It doesn’t feel like they’re done just yet.

Meanwhile, Chicago played Tampa during the deal. Gotta love mid-game trades.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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