Seabrook addresses report that Blackhawks asked him to waive no-movement clause

This past weekend NHL insider Elliotte Friedman made headlines when he reported on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada that the Chicago Blackhawks have requested that veteran defenseman Brent Seabrook waive his no-trade clause so that the team can find a suitor for him ahead of the NHL’s trade deadline.

"The last one I wanted to mention Ron, Brent Seabrook," said Friedman during the Headlines segment. "There's been a lot of talk this week about Duncan Keith, the Blackhawks have gone to Brent Seabrook and asked would he be willing to waive his no move clause. To this point he has said no, he loves being a Blackhawk, he doesn't want to do that but I think they may still check around to see the market.

The only problem? It’s not true, says Seabrook.

"I haven't been approached by anybody," Seabrook said to reporters earlier today. "So I don't know where the reports are coming from."

Friedman is standing his ground though and spoke with Daily Herald reporter John Dietz after Seabrook refuted his Saturday evening report.

"I am very, very uncomfortable with being on the other side of Brent Seabrook on this. But I understand, at least once this season there was a conversation between team, player and agent about his future in Chicago. That's all I can really say. At some point this season, it happened."

For what it’s worth, Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman has declined to comment on the situation. 

Regardless of the rumors, it’s clear that Seabrook’s teammates have his back.

"He's the best," Patrick Kane said earlier today. "He's absolutely hilarious. … Great guy to be around the dressing room with. Guy's also scored 100 goals in the NHL as a defenseman. I mean there's not too many defensemen that have done that in the history of the NHL."

"He's a great player and he's even a better leader," said Brandon Saad. "I know it's been (a couple of) tough years, but regardless, it's always fun coming to the rink knowing he's around. He just brings that personality and that energy.

"Some days it can be quiet around here, especially when we're not having success. But he's a guy that always brings that positive attitude and energy. He's a great guy to have on your team."