NHL Trade Rumors: Joel Quenneville thinks Blackhawks could use a forward or two

Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville hinted today that his team could use a forward or two at the NHL trade deadline

The Chicago Blackhawks are unquestionably going to be heavy buyers at the NHL trade deadline on Feb. 29. They confirmed that by sending defenseman Rob Scuderi to the AHL so that they could create more cap space. Exactly what they will do with that cap space remains to be seen. Head coach Joel Quenneville dropped a huge hint as to what he believes his team needs as they try to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

That is not much of a surprise considering that Quenneville has given multiple players opportunities to play on the first forward line with center Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa with nobody grabbing a firm hold of the competition. They could also stand to use more forward depth with the rigors of the postseason and a relatively inexperienced third and fourth line. Their forward depth has become even more exposed thanks to the recent injury to Hossa.

From Chicago Sun Times:

"Winnipeg’s Andrew Ladd is a likely target, and Arizona’s Mikkel Boedker, Carolina’s Kris Versteeg, or Toronto’s P.A. Parenteau are among the many options that [general manager Stan Bowman] could go after."

Of those targets, the Blackhawks are quite familiar with Versteeg and Ladd because both have spent time with the Blackhawks. Ladd would be a deadly first line left wing alongside Toews and Hossa. Versteeg wouldn’t be as terrific of a fit as Ladd, but he is certainly someone that Quenneville is comfortable with. Boedker’s price might be a bit too high for Chicago. Parenteau would be a nice fit.