The Chicago Blackhawks might be in the market for another top six forward and many are speculating that a reunion with an awfully familiar face who now plays for a divisional foe could be in order.
That’s right. Patrick Sharp to the Blackhawks rumors are starting to fire up after several writers speculated that Sharp could be a good fit to return to Chicago after being traded to the Dallas Stars two years ago.
The Athletic’s Brian Hedger got the ball rolling when he threw Sharp in the mix as someone the Hawks could try to acquire at the trade deadline. Then, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman openly wondered in his 30 thoughts column whether Sharp could be an answer for Chicago’s depth problem.
A reunion with Sharp could be a move that potentially takes the Blackhawks over the top. He’s still a quality, veteran winger who put up 20 goals and 55 points in his first season with Dallas. He has only played in 20 games this season, netting four goals and nine points, but his familiarity with Chicago’s system and roster makes this move a natural fit. Plus, Sharp could provide Jonathan Toews the jumpstart he desperately needs on the top line.
But is the deal feasible? That’s an entirely different story.
The Stars are mired in mediocrity right now at 19-18-1, but are only two points back of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. Obviously, the team will have a better idea of where it stands in the playoff race come February’s trade deadline. But, a four or five-game rut could prompt Dallas to start selling, which is kind of crazy considering the Stars won the Central Division last season.
Sharp would be one of the more obvious candidates for a trade. The problem is — here we go again — cap space!
Sharp is on the final year of a contract he signed with the Hawks in 2011 and accrues a cap hit of $5.9 million this season. At the moment, the Blackhawks have approximately $3.34 million in cap space, per Cap Friendly. So, there’s a disparity there.
Now, the Hawks could plead the Stars to maintain some of Sharp’s salary. That figure would likely be in the neighborhood of $2 million. But, Dallas won’t just do that for a division rival out of the kindness of its heart. It’d likely cost them a decent, if not prized, prospect just in the cost of doing business.
So, while a reunion with Sharpie might get Blackhawks fans excited, it’s going to be an extremely difficult move to pull off. Stan Bowman has shown in the past he’s willing to make whatever deal necessary to give his team the best chance at winning a Stanley Cup. He’s sacrificed some long-term pieces for runs at the title, and it’s worked three times.
The question is whether Sharp would give Chicago a substantial boost in their quest for a fourth.
