Longtime Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook said he was surprised by a report that the team asked him to waive his no-trade clause, but didn’t rule out facilitating a move.
Seabrook is under contract through 2023-24 and hasn’t considered playing anywhere but Chicago.
“I haven’t thought about it,” he said after this morning’s practice. “I guess I’ll deal with that when that day comes. But my focus right now is to try to help this team get into the playoffs. That’s what I’m thinking about.”
Sportsnet reported over the weekend that the Hawks inquired about Seabrook’s willingness to be dealt — a logical move considering their record and salary cap situation — and were rebuffed.
Seabrook laughed that off.
“I mean, I guess I’m the last guy to know,” he said. “I don’t know. I haven’t been approached or talked to about anything, so it’s news to me.”
Seabrook, 33, carries a $6.9 million salary cap hit annually and is the Hawks’ highest-paid player behind Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
He has a full no-movement clause through 2021-22, meaning the team can’t do anything without his permission, including waiving or reassigning him.
The clause changes slightly in 2022-23, when he must give the team a list of five trade destinations he would approve. He has to submit a 10-team list the following year.
Seabrook has five goals and 15 assists this season while playing 19:45 per game.
It’s been a challenging few years for the Hawks, and this season has been the most turbulent by far with the team sinking to the bottom of the NHL at points and coach Joel Quenneville getting fired. But Seabrook didn’t indicate any desire to leave.
“We went through a real tough stretch there,” he said. “Hopefully we’re starting to come out of it and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Seabrook has spent his entire career with the Hawks, who drafted him 14th overall in 2003. He is a three-time Stanley Cup winner and has played more games for the franchise than anyone but Stan Mikita.
