Blackhawks wingers Chris Kunitz and John Hayden are “being watched” by playoff contenders for possible trades, reports Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Hayden, who turns 24 on Feb. 14, has two goals and three points in 35 games during his first full NHL season. The 2013 third-round draft pick by Chicago split time between the NHL and AHL last season. He had 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 47 NHL games and 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 24 regular season games for the Rockford IceHogs before scoring three goals in the AHL’s Calder Cup playoffs.
The Blackhawks re-signed Hayden to a two-year contract worth $1.5 million last June.
Kunitz has one goal and two assists in 29 games with Chicago. The 39-year-old signed a one-year contract with a no-movement clause worth $1 million in July. He scored 13 goals and 29 points last season with the Lightning after winning the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons with the Penguins. He’s a mere five games shy of hitting the 1,000-game mark in his NHL career.
Scott Powers of The Athletic reported last week the Blackhawks are making Kunitz along with forwards Marcus Kruger and Andreas Martinsen available in trade discussions.