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Patrick Sharp is totally coming back to Blackhawks, isn’t he?
The trade deadline is fast approaching, which means Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman’s fingers should be twitching and sweat-drenched.
Conventional wisdom is that the Blackhawks, who have about $742,000 in cap space, are in the market to add a veteran forward at the deadline, because that’s sorta what they do – consider Michael Frolik, Michal Handzus (a little after the deadline), Andrew Desjardins, Antoine Vermette and Andrew Ladd.
There figures to be a flurry of activity around the deadline, most of it influenced by the expansion draft and some of it influenced by the usual factors like teams falling out of the playoff race and impending free agency.
The Dallas Stars, increasingly, are in that latter category, and have no less than seven players poised for unrestricted free agency. Two of the used to play with the Blackhawks: Defenseman Johnny Oduya and winger Patrick Sharp. And it’s that latter player that’s getting the most attention.
Sharp has a limited no-trade clause (with 10 teams on his list), so he will have some say in what happens. A proven winner, he’d be a nice addition to a Cup contender looking for second-line offense and power-play help. It’s a moot point, however, if the Stars get on a roll. If that happens, I think Nill would keep his group intact and give it a chance to go for it again.
But let’s say they don’t, and let’s say the Blackhawks can somehow make the money work with Dallas picking up a chunk of the cap tab, which will be essential as Sharp makes $5.9 million against the cap, although it’ll be pro-rated by the deadline.
What about a Patrick Sharp reunion for the Blackhawks?
Brian Hedger of The Athletic says:
“If (Andrew) Ladd was considered a great fit, then Sharp is a perfect fit regardless of age and concussion issues that sidelined him twice this season.
“Like Ladd, Sharp is a left wing with an expiring contract and previous experience playing for the Blackhawks and coach Joel Quenneville. The difference is Sharp won the Cup three times with the Blackhawks, instead of once for Ladd, and even played that left-wing role with Toews and Hossa in 2014-15.”
The “known commodity” thing is important. Bowman loves reunions. Look at Ladd. Look at Brian Campbell. And the fact that Sharp has experience playing with Jonathan Toews makes this even more interesting, considering the struggles Toews has had this season.
Satchel Price of Second City Hockey breaks down the pros and cons of a potential Patrick Sharp return, but seems fairly giddy about the potential for it.
The only thing that gives us pause: The concussions. There’s some wear and tear on that 35-year-old frame, and despite the expected uptick in points per game with the more offensive Stars last season, his numbers are in decline.
But that’s a long-term problem, and Sharp would be a short-term solution on the wing.
There’s a lot indicating that a Patrick Sharp reunion with the Chicago Blackhawks isn’t outlandish. The only wrinkle: If the Stars get a little momentum before the deadline and need Sharp for a wild card push.
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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
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