With the 2012 NHL Draft set to get underway on Friday, trade discussions are starting to heat up around the league. According to a report from ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers, the Chicago Blackhawks have made it known that they're willing to part with defensemen Steve Montador and Niklas Hjalmarsson.
League sources indicate defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson and Steve Montador are being dangled. While the Hawks would undoubtedly want to make a good "hockey deal" in moving them, shedding their salaries could be just as important. Combined, the two players cost the Hawks $6.25 million on the salary cap per year. Hjalmarsson is signed for two more years, Montador for three.
Related: Blackhawks Offseason 2012: Chicago Re-Signs Brandon Bollig, Ben Smith
If Chicago is able to free up that money, Rogers speculates that the Blackhawks could use it to make an offer to Ryan Suter -- or even Shea Weber -- once the free agency period gets underway on July 1.
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