Schneider, Blackhawks, and Talbot

Tim Sassone Chicago Daily Herald reports that the Chicago Blackhawks are still being liked in trade rumors involving Anaheim Ducks defenseman Mathieu Schneider.

Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon is said to be gun-shy in making such a move, however. Tallon’s main concern is that the 38-year-old Schneider earns $5.7 million this season, and next.

“It’s a unique situation in that everybody knows something is going to happen,” Schneider told the Los Angeles Times. “There’s always speculation. Rumors are fine, but (this time) something is going to happen.”

---

Speaking of the Blackhawks, Len Ziehm of the Chicago Sun Times reports that despite the club’s recent change in ownership, GM Dale Tallon will still have the control over which players to bring in.

However, he will have to work within a budget, which will be set by Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz and team president John McDonough.

“Dale realizes he has complete authority to look into players who can help our team,” Wirtz said. “As far as which players he brings in, Dale has complete authority.”

---

According to Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Pittsburgh Penguins would trade forward Maxime Talbot only if a team made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.

That’s not to say that they’re shopping the gritty forward. To the contrary; they’re not looking to trade him.

The Penguins love Talbot’s game, since he plays with grit and determination, is responsible in his own end, and has a knack for coring timely goals. Not to mention that he’s a great team guy. And, oh, yeah, he only makes $650,000 a season.

However, if Talbot were to be shopped around, it would take an awful lot to acquire him.