NHL Trade Rumors: Blackhawks interested in Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar

The Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly interested in acquiring either Gustav Nyquist or Tomas Tatar from the Detroit Red Wings.

As usual, the Chicago Blackhawks are going to be buyers at the 2016-17 NHL trade deadline. They almost always are and they have shown a willingness to do whatever it takes to put together a Stanley Cup contender.

While this practice has left their farm system a bit barren at times, the Blackhawks are among the top teams in the Western Conference, so they will likely be buyers once again. This season, Chicago has shown interest in two Detroit Red Wings forwards — Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar.

Of the two, Tatar might make the most sense. After all, he’s a free agent after the 2016-17 season and he’s due for quite a pay raise from his current $2.75 million cap hit. Ergo, if the Hawks can’t afford his next contract, trading him is a viable option. On the other hand, Nyquist is very skilled and has a team friendly deal. He’s under contract through the 2018-19 season with a cap hit of $4.75 million.

Tatar has 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points as of Jan. 21. Meanwhile, Nyquist has seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points. Tatar is a year younger than Nyquist as well. However, unless the Red Wings are selling, they likely aren’t getting rid of either of them without a huge haul. Chicago likely doesn’t have the assets necessary to acquire either unless they move someone with significant salary.

While Chicago has a deep need for forward depth, they likely won’t make a splash. The Blackhawks have shown a lot of trust in their young forwards this season, so trading any of them doesn’t make sense.

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Also, the Red Wings probably want a defenseman in exchange for either. One can assume Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson are off limits. Brent Seabrook likely is too. Trevor van Reimsdyk might be an option, but he isn’t enough by himself to get Tatar or Nyquist.