The Chicago Blackhawks' Most Valuable Trade Pieces

After a wild offseason spearheaded by now-former Hawks' GM Stan Bowman, the Chicago Blackhawks don't seem to be any closer to playoff contention than they were a year ago. Although their results have improved since their disastrous October start, the reality is that losing their first 9 games of the season is going to be a massive hurdle to overcome. They currently sit second-last in the Central Divison, 9 points back of the team ahead of them, and 15 points outside of a wildcard spot. Simply put, the Hawks are likely to be sellers at this year's trade deadline barring a massive turnaround that needs to start yesterday. However, the Hawks also have plenty of available trade assets that could bring them some draft capital going into the summer. If the team is finally ready to admit a rebuild may be necessary, those players will be crucial elements in speeding that process along. Here are the most valuable trade pieces Chicago has to work with.

Marc-Andre Fleury

After being unceremoniously dumped by the Vegas Golden Knights last summer, Fleury's name has been on trade lists from day 1 of the season, and the noise only increased as the Blackhawks fell flat out of the gate with him between the pipes. Since then, Fleury has managed to level off his numbers in basically every category. His GAA is now a respectable 2.92, to go along with a .910sv% and 10 wins to match his 13 losses. Then there's the fact that he's a pending UFA this year, making him an unlikely candidate to return to Chicago going forward. In case anyone forgot, he's also the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. Plenty of teams will be interested in The Flower's services.

Dylan Strome

Once the 3rd-overall pick in the 2015 Draft, Dylan Strome is now struggling to produce on his second NHL team. He was never a fit in Arizona, but there was a time when Strome put up 17 goals and 51 points in 58 games following his arrival in Chicago. Still just 24-years old, Strome makes $3 million and will be an RFA next summer. Whichever team trades for him will be getting him as a player for at least another season if they want to re-sign him. Strome seems like he could use a change of scenery, and given that he's never played for an actual playoff contender, there may be more game to get out of him than we've seen thus far in his career.

Ryan Carpenter

An undrafted right-shot centreman, Ryan Carpenter has never been a top 6 forward, but he's a good depth player and is definitely better than what he's shown so far this season. Carpenter currently has 0 goals and 4 points in 31 games. His career-high is 9 goals in 36 games, and that's still miles better than what he's given the Hawks this year. A pending UFA, Carpenter makes $1 million in salary until next summer. He won't fetch much on his own, but as part of a package would absolutely increase the return the Hawks see on a trade. 

Calvin De Haan

Formerly drafted 12th-overall by the New York Islanders in 2009, De Haan has always been more of a shutdown player than an offensive blueliner. That said, he is a very good shutdown defenceman, so long as his team doesn't overplay him. He rarely takes penalties, and outside of his time in Chicago, he's always been a net positive in the +/- column. While there will be questions about how the Hawks will replace him on their blueline, there's no doubt that teams will have interest in bringing in De Haan, and will be open to spending some assets to acquire him.

Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports