Hot Take Hockey floated a Blackhawks-Red Wings swap this morning that would send Frank Nazar and Kevin Korchinski to Detroit.
The Blackhawks are 4-13-1 and have lost six straight, the latest a 9-2 loss at Carolina on Saturday night. The Red Wings aren't in great shape either, dropped 4-0 at Colorado the same night for their third loss in a row.
The idea is simple on paper: Chicago would get defenseman Simon Edvinsson and center Nate Danielson, and Detroit would get Nazar and Korchinski. It is a proposal, not a report, and nothing suggests the teams have talked.
Danielson is a wrinkle. The Red Wings assigned him to the Grand Rapids Griffins this morning, along with Michal Postava and John Leonard. The ninth overall pick in 2023 has no goals in 13 games this season.
Edvinsson is the real piece. The sixth overall pick in 2021 hasn't played this season and is listed on injured reserve because of a contract dispute, out indefinitely. We covered the Canadiens' interest in Simon Edvinsson earlier this week, and the Predators have since been mentioned as well.
Hot Take Hockey wrote that the Blackhawks "need to really start shaking it up" before laying out the four names.
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Would Chicago really take on Edvinsson's contract fight?
It shouldn't. Nazar has 33 goals over his NHL career and is 22 years old. Korchinski is also 22 and a former seventh overall pick. Giving up both for a defenseman who is in a contract dispute and hasn't played a game this season is a bad trade for Chicago, whatever the roster looks like.
The Blackhawks' road record (0-8-1) screams for change, but change isn't the same as swapping two young first-rounders for an unresolved situation. Edvinsson's future is also tied to a possible return to Sweden, according to Chris Johnston.
Detroit's side is easier to see. Nazar has five goals in 16 games, one of them short-handed, and the Red Wings were shut out Saturday. His minus-15 is hard to ignore, though, and it is the cost of playing on a team that has allowed 76 goals.
Detroit plays at St. Louis on Tuesday. Chicago hosts Buffalo on Thursday. Edvinsson still has no contract.
Quick hits
FLORIDA PANTHERS: Brady Tkachuk wasted no time in Boston. Conor Ryan just reported that he and Nikita Zadorov dropped the gloves right at the start of the Panthers-Bruins game at TD Garden. No warm-up period needed.
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NEW YORK ISLANDERS: Mathew Barzal, Matias Maccelli and Ryan Pulock have made the trip to California, Stefen Rosner just reported. The Islanders head to San Jose with all three aboard.
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GOALIE MATCHUP: Devin Cooley is making his return start tonight as the Flames host the Flyers, RotoWire reports. Calgary goes back to him at home.
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OTTAWA SENATORS: Linus Ullmark is finally off injured reserve. Bruce Garrioch just reported that the goalie is back on the Senators' regular roster, which is good news for Ottawa.
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TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: The Maple Leafs have recalled Cole McWard and sent Vinni Lettieri back to the Marlies ahead of tonight's game against the Devils, per Ozoon_CA. Rielly is still waiting.
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Should the Blackhawks trade Frank Nazar for Simon Edvinsson while he's in a contract dispute?
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