The respective recent struggles of the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers have given rise to speculation a trade may be brewing between the two clubs.

With key forwards like Martin Havlat and Michal Handzus sidelined by injury, the Blackhawks are believed shopping around for an offensive forward. The Rangers, meanwhile, have struggled defensively and may be seeking a quality blueliner.

The New York Post reported Wednesday the two teams were in talks, with the Blackhawks apparently very interested in young Rangers forward Petr Prucha.

The 'Hawks are reportedly trying to move veteran defenseman Jassen Cullimore, but the Rangers would want a better return. The Post reported sources suggesting the Blackhawks might be willing to part with defenseman Brent Seabrook for Prucha.

Trading away a promising young defenseman like Seabrook seems unlikely, but it could take a player of his caliber to pry Prucha from the Rangers. Prucha could prove a good fit with Havlat when the latter returns to action later this month.

Moving Prucha would leave a gap on the Blueshirts' third line, although The Post noted promising winger Nigel Dawes could move up into that spot.

It remains to be seen if the two clubs swing a deal or if Seabrook or Prucha are part of it, but it's apparent the Rangers and Blackhawks could be trading for help soon, either with themselves or other clubs.

Could Daniel Alfredsson's long tenure with the Ottawa Senators be drawing to a close?

Ottawa Sun reporter Chris Stevenson reported on his blog that four scouts from the Los Angeles Kings attended Tuesday's Senators-Montreal Canadiens game, citing a report from Montreal sports radio station The Team 990 claiming the scouts were there to watch Alfredsson.

Stevenson suggested the poor play of the Senators and Alfredsson this season could force general manager John Muckler to shake up the roster with a trade.

The Kings are shopping center Craig Conroy, but he's off to a worse start than Alfredsson this season and is not likely to interest Muckler. A better fit might be Kings' winger Alexander Frolov, but Kings GM Dean Lombardi might not be willing to part with him.

The hockey world was abuzz Tuesday when reports emerged Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider had offer the general manager's job to NHL executive VP Colin Campbell.

Campbell, who serves as the league's chief disciplinarian, subsequently declined the position. That could turn Snider toward former Flyers player and Notre Dame hockey coach Dave Poulin, whom the Camden (N.J.) Courier-Post reported as a potential candidate earlier this week.

News of the Campbell offer came as a surprise to current GM Paul Holmgren, the former assistant to Bob Clarke who was bumped up into the role when Clarke resigned last month.

It's believed a decision from Snider will be coming soon, but with Holmgren now considered only an interim GM that should scotch recent speculation of his swinging a major blockbuster trade.

Trade rumors have dogged the Flyers since Clarke's resignation, with goaltender Robert Esche and forward Simon Gagne oft-mentioned as trade bait, but if Holmgren's only in the GM's chair temporarily, Snider is not going to give him the green light to swing a major deal.

It's possible the next Flyers general manager could make a major trade if the club fails to show improvement in the coming weeks, but it's doubtful such a move will occur anytime soon.

They have been talking in a number of trades with Prucha in them, I know i heard that the Rangers are very interested in Matt Cooke of the Canucks, I heard that Prucha was/in the part of the deal.

They have been talking in a number of trades with Prucha in them, I know i heard that the Rangers are very interested in Matt Cooke of the Canucks, I heard that Prucha was/in the part of the deal.