Blackhawks don't anticipate making significant trade before deadline

Steering clear of the sellers' market.

In their chase for a fourth Stanley Cup in eight seasons, the Chicago Blackhawks don't have plans to land a major rental asset, GM Stan Bowman revealed to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

"I'm not saying 100 percent we're not going to make a trade, but I'm not expecting to make a significant trade," he said last week.

When Bowman was asked if that could change, he responded: "Yeah, anything can happen. But we've had (internal) meetings and that's not our focus at all as we get ready for the trade deadline."

The reason is likely twofold. First, Chicago is limited in its ability to swing a deal based on its position under the salary cap. The situation will only be further complicated next season when Artemi Panarin's raise surfaces on their books.

But second, and maybe most importantly, the value that Chicago has received in return for its assets in recent seasons has not matched the price paid.

In loading up during the last two seasons, the Blackhawks have parted with five picks, including two first-round selections, as well as forwards Marko Dano and Phillip Danault, in exchange for rentals Kimmo Timonen, Antoine Vermette, Andrew Ladd, Tomas Fleischmann, and Dale Weise.

Timonen and Vermette were healthy scratches for portions of the championship run in 2014-15, though the latter did score an overtime goal in the conference final. Ladd, Fleischmann, and Weise were largely ineffective in the club's early playoff exit last spring.

Regardless, Bowman felt the need to shoot down the suggestion that standing pat signifies that Chicago's intentions lie elsewhere.

"We're trying to win the Cup this year, absolutely, but it's not predicated upon a rental. So I think that narrative is just false.''