Blackhawks acquire defenseman Kimmo Timonen

The Chicago Blackhawks took the first step toward readying their team to make a run at a third Stanley Cup championship in six seasons by acquiring veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen from the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2015 second-round pick and a conditional 2016 fourth-round pick.

At the same time, the Blackhawks announced that defenseman Johnny Oduya is going on the injured reserve list.

Timonen, 39, has not played yet this season because of blood clots diagnosed last summer, but is now medically cleared to play. He is a puck-moving defender, with quality one-on-one defensive skills, a seemingly good fit for Chicago's strong transition game.

Timonen, a five-time Finnish Olympian, has a $3.5 million cap hit, and a $2 million salary. The Blackhawks picked up some cap relief by putting Patrick Kane on the long-term injured reserve list.

If the trade had not been completed, Timonen might have played Saturday night for the Flyers against the New York Rangers.

The Blackhawks are still expected to acquire a forward to help reduce the sting of losing Kane, their top offensive player, for 12 weeks because of collarbone surgery.

The NHL trade deadline is Monday at 3 p.m., ET.