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NHL trade deadline 2019: What to know about the Blackhawks

The Blackhawks enter Monday off back-to-back losses and five points back of Minnesota for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Chicago’s playoff chances dipped from 19.6 to 4.3 percent this weekend, according to sportsclubstats.com.

With the NHL trade deadline at 2 p.m. Central time Monday, the Blackhawks figure to be in the business of making some minor moves or hockey trades.

Chicago has made two minor trades this week, sending AHL right-handed defenseman Darren Raddysh to the Rangers in exchange for center Peter Holland then moving 2014 draft pick Matt Iacopelli to the Kings for forward Spencer Watson. Holland already has a goal and two assists with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL, while Watson is expected to join the team.

Who isn’t likely to be traded

The Blackhawks have eight players with a variety of a no-trade or no-movement clause with their contracts. Reports surfaced earlier this year that the Blackhawks had or were planning to ask veteran defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook about waiving their NMCs to explore a trade. Seabrook carries a $6.9 million annual salary cap hit through 2023-24, and Keith is at $5.5 million annually until 2022-23. Both players refuted the reports.

Chicago has “no interest” in trading defenseman Erik Gustafsson, according to Scott Powers of The Athletic. Gustafsson, a left-handed blue liner, has 12 goals and 45 points in his first full NHL season. He’s an offensive-minded defenseman that’s played a key role on the power play, but has struggled in his own end.

Trade candidates

Artem Anisimov

Contract: $4.55 million through 2020-21

Anisimov has a modified no-trade clause with 10 teams he can be traded to. The 6-foot-4 center slides into Chicago’s third line right now behind Jonathan Toews and Dylan Strome, who was acquired in November from Arizona. Anisimov has 10 goals and 28 points this season and could still hit the 20-goal mark for his fourth straight season.

After this season, the final two years of Anisimov’s contract that also is worth $4.55 million does not any trade restrictions. If Chicago does trade him they may have to retain some salary.

John Hayden

Contract: $925,000 through 2019-20

The Blackhawks are still shopping Hayden, according to Powers. The fourth-liner played 6:03 minutes Sunday and only skated more than 10 minutes twice in his last 20 games. The 24-year-old has three goals and an assist in 46 games this season. The 6-foot-3 right winger split time last season between the NHL and the AHL, where he tallied 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 24 regular-season games and three goals in the playoffs for the IceHogs.

Marcus Kruger

Contract: $3.083 million through 2018-19

Kruger is set to become a restricted free agent this summer and can block a trade to seven teams. The effective penalty-killing center has four goals and 10 points in 56 games this season.

Talking Points