The Blackhawks have talked to the Hurricanes about acquiring one their defensemen, reports Scott Powers of The Athletic. The defensemen include Justin Faulk, Calvin de Haan and Dougie Hamilton.

Chicago was reportedly trying to acquire Faulk, a right-handed blue liner, last June, with Carolina asking for winger Brandon Saad in return. Faulk, 27, is a possession-driven puck-moving defenseman, which the Blackhawks have an ample amount of. He has posted sixth consecutive seasons of at least 31 points, including 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) this past season. Faulk does have a modified no-trade clause that contains 15 teams.

Hamilton, who turns 26 on June 17, is also a right-handed defenseman and generates more shots and chances than Faulk despite not playing on the team’s top power play unit. Hamilton is a point machine with 54 points (18 goals, 21 assists) this past season after back-to-back 64-point campaigns with the Flames. The Hurricanes acquired Hamilton along with teammate Michael Ferland and the rights to prospect Adam Fox in exchange for Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin last June. Fox has since been traded to the Rangers for a 2019 second- and conditional 2020 third-round pick.

De Haan, 28-year-old left-handed shot, is more of a defensive first blue liner that the Blackhawks need after giving up the most goals in the NHL last season. After missing 49 games with a lower-body injury during the 2017-18 season, de Haan bounced back and put up 14 points in 74 games. He did, however, have offseason surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to miss four to six months.

Powers notes the Blackhawks were offering “secondary forwards,” which likely points to players like Dominik Kahun and Brendan Perlini. Carolina, however, hasn’t viewed the offers as serious.

Contracts

Faulk: 1 year, $4.83 million, modified NTC

Hamilton: 2 years, $5.75 million

De Haan: 2 years, $4.55 million

Earlier this week, Powers reported the Blackhawks had reached out to the Blue Jackets about lefty defenseman Ryan Murray, who will turn 26 in September, and is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. According to Evolving-Hockey, Murray is projected to command a three-year deal worth $4,146,272.

Chicago currently has four left-handed defensemen and three righties with significant NHL playing time under contract for next season.

Left: Duncan Keith, Slater Koekkoek, Erik Gustafsson, Carl Dahlstrom

Right: Henri Jokiharju, Connor Murphy, Brent Seabrook

*Gustafsson plays on left and right side depending on partner

Expansion draft impact

In any trade situation, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman will have to factor in the 2021 expansion draft and the potential ramifications moves will have on the team’s protection list. Each team can protect up to seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender or nine players regardless of position. All players with no-movement clauses must be protected unless they’ve agreed to waive and any player with two or fewer years of NHL/AHL experience is exempt.

Forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews and defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook all hold NMCs. Defensemen Connor Murphy and Henri Jokiharju and goaltender Collin Delia would all need to be protected as would any of the three Carolina defensemen the Blackhawks are targeting, if they want to keep them.

Poll Which Hurricanes defenseman would you like the Blackhawks to trade for? This poll is closed. 29% Justin Faulk (233 votes)

24% Calvin de Haan (192 votes)

45% Dougie Hamilton (359 votes) 784 votes total Vote Now

(Note: This article has been updated to reflect Carolina’s response to Chicago’s offers.)