Kontiola called up; Trade may be in the works

The Hawks' official site is reporting that they have called up Petri Kontiola from Rockford today. He has 28 points in 28 games in the AHL and it looks like the Blackhawks are hoping he can provide a little offensive spark for a team that has been slumping in that area this month. Kontiola played in one game this year for the Blackhawks, on November 25th against the Canucks, and didn't record any points.

Also, the Chicago Tribune gives us some interesting news on the possibility of a trade being completed by GM Dale Tallon:

Dale Tallon just returned from a weekend trip to the Toronto area, where he spent most of his time scouting junior games for the 2008 entry draft. But that doesn't mean the Blackhawks general manager is giving up on this season and waiting until next year.

And later in the article:

"The [holiday] freeze on trades is Wednesday," Tallon said Monday. "We've had some conversations with people. If we do something, it will be something to give us a spark."

Tallon, who said, "I'll be on the phone again [Tuesday]," has been in contact with NHL general managers about adding depth on offense. The Hawks currently have defenseman-turned-winger Dustin Byfuglien on the top line with Robert Lang and Martin Havlat. While Tallon likes Byfuglien's skills as a forward, he also likes him on defense and is looking at options in a trade.

"Maybe a forward, a good left winger to play with either Lang or Havlat or the kids (rookies Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews)," Tallon said. "If there's a forward in the 25-to-27 age range and he's a good player, we'll look at it."

If Tallon can find a deal that can add some offense to this club and help spark this team back to it's winning ways, then he should definitely pull the trigger. However, let's hope he doesn't waste his time with a marginal addition. If he's going to make a deal, it has to be for someone who is going to make a big difference in the Hawks' lineup.