Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp keeps hearing his name floating around the rumor mill, but he's doing his best to focus on the season, reports the Chicago Daily Herald.
Sharp is among the Blackhawks players attracting a lot of interest from across the NHL, as the team is trying to shed some salary to fit new contracts for Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane under their cap.
The Hawks would prefer to keep Sharp, but various reports continue to link a number of teams as possible suitors, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Blackhawks assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has recently attended a Leafs' game.
"We see the articles and we know the situation, but right now we're focused on today and this season," Sharp told the Daily Herald. "Whatever is going to happen with the cap situation and player movement, we'll address that when it happens. Right now we're trying to win a Stanley Cup."
Sharp, who turns 28 on Dec. 27, prefers to stay with the club and hopes to end his career a member of the Blackhawks.
"I love Chicago and I want to be here, but it's part of the game, part of professional sports," Sharp said. "Everyone looks at our team and sees the good players we have and rumors are going to start.
"This is the first time I've actually been through it and I'm trying to deal with it, but I try not to read into it too much."
Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman has been trying to move defenseman Brent Sopel, while Kris Versteeg, Cam Barker, Dustin Byfuglien and Brent Seabrook have also attracted interest league-wide.
Files from:
Chicago Daily Herald
[ From the Editor ]
The last players the Hawks want to move are Sharp and Seabrook. In fact, it would come as a total shock to me if Chicago deals away Seabrook (it's not going to happen). Sharp is somebody the Blackhawks want to keep long-term, and they're trying to work other options, which is why the Toews, Kane and Keith signings aren't officially finalized. If push came to shove, maybe Byfuglien or Versteeg is moved, but the Hawks are trying to be creative as possible as they want their young studs together for a long time. -- David Pagnotta
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