Jim McCurdy 9y

GM Bowman: Hawks 'getting pretty close' on pre-deadline move

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville might have had good reason for the twinkle in his eye before Thursday night's victory over the Florida Panthers -- at least if one listens to Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman.

The team is going to be a player before Monday's NHL trade deadline.

“We’re getting pretty close,” Bowman said between the first and second periods of the Blackhawks' 3-0 victory at the BB&T Center. “But until it’s done, it’s not done.”

The Blackhawks have been actively seeking to fortify a team weakened by Tuesday's loss of Patrick Kane to injury. Bowman confirmed that the organization has made multiple calls, with a number of possible routes open.

“We want to improve our team,” Bowman said. “There’s more than one way to improve your team. It doesn’t have to be a replacement for Kane.”

In other words, the Blackhawks could, for example, seek out a defenseman. Chicago has also expressed interest in Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette. Vermette has 13 goals and 22 assists through 62 games.

“We’re open to either one,” Bowman said of the ideas of acquiring a blueliner who can produce in other ways or another pure scorer. “There’s more than one way to improve your team.

“You have to make a deal that works for you. We’re gonna work through it. Obviously, it takes two to make a deal," he added.

“We have until Monday. That’s not to say we’re waiting until Monday.”

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