Chicago Blackhawks: Trade deadline possibilities – Part I

3. Wayne Simmonds

There have not been many better power forwards in the National Hockey League over the last half decade than Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds. He is one of the better net-front presence in the game and is tough as nails.

Have you ever heard of the Gordie Howe hat trick? It means to have a goal, an assist and a fight in the same game. Nobody is more capable of having one of those than Simmonds. He has had a down year this season and being on an expiring contract makes him expendable if you’re the Philadelphia Flyers. They also signed James van Riemsdyk over the summer who plays a similar type of game to Simmonds.

The Flyers are back in the race thanks to their rookie sensation goaltender Carter Hart but it may or may not be too late for them. They may want to keep him for this push and maybe re-sign him at the right price but that is a risk for a team in the Flyers position. They would be much better off saving it for next season as their future looks pretty bright.

Out of all of these guys, he would probably be the cheapest for the Blackhawks to trade for. So far this season he has 16 goals and nine assists for 25 points in 57 games. Average production from what we’ve grown accustomed to over the years.  It certainly would not cost a first round pick in all likelihood but it could be a third-round pick and one of their top prospects. Simmonds would be worth it for the Blackhawks because of some of the things he provides.

We all remember Andrew Shaw who was a pretty good net-front presence for the Blackhawks. Simmonds is bigger and better than Shaw. He also provides a certain toughness that the Blackhawks have never really had. Patrick Kane could find himself with even more room out there knowing that if anyone even looks at him funny Simmonds would be waiting for them on their next shift.

A second line of Simmonds playing with Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome could provide some serious scoring for the Blackhawks. Simmonds would be an upgrade from Kahun who could drop to the third line and provide more depth. Toews and Kane on theareop line together is working wonders lately and it is not something we have seen a whole lot of in their careers.

The Blackhawks are in the thick of the playoff push once again and could see themselves as buyers. It may depend on how they do in the final week leading up to the trade deadline so it is ultimately up to them.