Report: Chicago Blackhawks have "serious interest" in Hamhuis and Vrbata

The Canucks are looking to move pending free agents Dan Hamhuis and Radim Vrbata, and they’ve caught the eye of an old rival.

According to a report from TSN’s Farhan Lalji, the Chicago Blackhawks are interested in trading for both Canucks players.

Hearing that #Blackhawks have serious interest in Hamhuis & Vrbata. No word yet on whether Hamhuis is willing to waive NTC. #Canucks

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 25, 2016

It’s no secret that the Canucks will be sellers at this year’s trade deadline, and moving Hamhuis and Vrbata makes sense based on their age, contract status, and the evolution of the franchise. The only question that remains is whether or not Hamhuis and Vrbata will accept a trade.

[am2_see_also]

Hamhuis has a full no-trade clause, while Vrbata’s no-trade clause is limited (meaning he must provide a list of teams he’s willing to go to).

Will Hamhuis want to play with a team that he has battled against so many times before in the playoffs with Vancouver and Nashville? We’ll see. He did play with Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith at the Olympics in 2014.

Vrbata has played in Chicago before in his career, playing with the Hawks for two seasons from 2005 to 2007.

Clearly what the Hawks can offer both players is a chance to win. The defending champs are currently second in the Western Conference with a record of 38-19-5.