Let’s try to be logical.
I don’t see many players that are available from teams that should be selling that can help the Hawks.
It may sound like it, but I am not just talking my own work… Dominic Moore is still at the top of my most wanted list.
Brian Burke has let it be known Nik Antropov will not be back in Toronto, per Howard Berger. Does the Antropov news mean that Moore will be more likely to return as a Leaf next year?
Maybe Burke wants to start next season with a fresh sheet, so to speak, and Moore will become available. Right now he would be my #1 priority if in fact Dale Tallon plans on doing anything.
As I have written since last summer, Cam Barker could be the most expendable Rostered player that would bring someone of value back in a trade. With that said I am not necessarily endorsing a trade of Barker now.
This season Barker was a very large Cap hit because the bonus cushion could not be applied. Next year the cushion will be back in play, although Barker is a RFA after this year. His salary was slightly less than $1,000,000 but with possible bonuses his Cap hit grew to 2.76 million.
Next season Barker could be more valuable than this year because I doubt he will be as large of a Cap hit. There is always the possibility of an Offer Sheet but I never consider them as a very strong likelihood. Never say never… but I don’t count on Offer Sheets as being an issue with re-signing Barker.
When the CBA does open up again for negotiation the NHLPA should try to change the compensation package involving RFA Offer Sheets.
I believe the acquiring cost is now too much to bear, and until the compensation is dialed down I don’t believe they will be often used, as has been the case so far. NHL Draft Picks have never been more valuable than today.
As far as the Barker to the Flyers rumors, or to any other team that is in solid Playoff shape, I consider all that somewhat unlikely.
I don’t see any Hawk-Flyer trade now for Barker. The Hawks have a recent trade history with the Fly Boys but it is more likely any possible big deal between the two Clubs will wait until the summer.
If Tallon feels that Barker fits into future plans for the Hawks and will not be a problem re-signing this summer he won’t be traded. I don’t think his next contract will pose much of a concern but the key question is whether Barker fits here in the future.
Niklas Hjalmarsson is in the Rockford bullpen and both Wisniewski and Barker are RFA’s after this season. A decision will be reached at some point but I am not certain anything will be decided before March 4th.
Let’s take a look at a few of the obvious selling teams.
Thrashers
I still believe a Colby Armstrong would be a good addition. There are a couple of others Thrashers that could also help the Hawks, like Bryan Little and Eric Boulton.
Islanders
Doug Weight would be an interesting short term addition but he has had injury problems of late. Bill Guerin, possibly, but I don’t feel that one.
Lightning
As Jon Jordan told me, he wouldn’t discount anything… everyone could be available in Tampa and than again not.
I think there are two players from the Lightning that would help the Hawks and could be acquired with the right deal.
Jeff Halpern is coming off serious knee surgery but has played well since returning. He is 32 years old and earns $2,000,000 per season through 2009-2010. Halpern could help win crucial faceoffs and he is a competitor.
David Koci broke his hand earlier in the year but he is back and as always willing to fight for his teammates. Koci can’t play a regular shift here but he could serve a purpose and was well liked in the Dressing Room last season.
The Hawks have the most productive 4th line players in the NHL; it serves the team well if they are not in the penalty box too often. Picking up someone like Koci or Boulton from the Thrashers could provide a designated sheriff for the Blackhawks.
The Keith Tkachuk rumors to almost everywhere will persist until the Blues say he will not be dealt.
Andy Strickland has recently written Keith is now focused on staying in St. Louis. I know the Blues have done well by flipping veteran players at the Deadline and then re-signing them in the summer.
My far away view is they should keep their leader in St. Louis so that he can help the young players compete through the rest of this season. The Blues could possibly earn a Playoff birth this year but regardless they are getting a lot better.
Solidifying their goal keeping and possibly adding a UFA this summer would make the Blues a dangerous Playoff competitor for next year. They have already locked up a key player in Andy McDonald and the future is sooner than later for St. Louis.
Tkachuk would help the Hawks, no doubt. I am now thinking he might not be dealt anywhere and if so another Central Division home for Keith probably is not likely.
I see no fit for Barker on the Flyers; their power play is just fine. I also can’t find any player to come this way that makes Cap sense.
Montreal is supposedly looking for a point man… that could be a maybe.
Actually many teams are looking for a puck moving defenseman. That is why Tallon probably doesn’t trade Barker unless it is for a key piece to his Hawk puzzle.
If I am Mr. Tallon I just hope the points continue to accumulate for the Hawks and then wait for a deal that can’t possibly be refused. There are decisions to make but nothing has to be decided prior to the end of this season.
Al’s Shots
As far as packaging any IceHogs together to entice another team to make a trade, let’s try to be realistic.
Everyone in the NHL knew the Hawks were short two top unit forwards at the start of this year. Fortunately Versteeg has worked out nicely….Kontiola was a flop, that could be a bit strong but he was given every chance to make the big Club and didn't.
For whatever reason, and I think there are more than a couple Petri was not able to stick here even though there was a glaring need for another center.
The Hawks are still short a top six player but that deficiency is not often glaring as the bottom six forwards have been great.
Jack Skille needed to learn some lessons, especially on playing defense, he was also a big Cap hit so there were a couple of reasons why he didn’t stick around.
It appears Skille has had a good year in Rockford and has benefitted from the experience. Dale Tallon has always liked him and even mentioned that if possible he may be up in Chicago before this season ends.
If you take Hjalmarsson, who is also highly thought of, off the table…
Who is left to package?
Crawford? ........Pelletier?......... Niemi?....he is only signed through this season.
If you exclude players in Rockford that are most coveted by Tallon, there really isn’t much left to entice another Franchise to make a trade.
As far as using Draft picks, the Hawk don’t have a surplus of early round picks. As previously stated… Draft picks are very valuable…… and have to be used wisely.
It will be interesting to see who will start in goal tomorrow night in Atlanta. It was Khabibulin’s turn, but he played the other night in relief. Coach Q. should give the word today.
This has been a good road trip so far.
The outcome of the next two games will determine if it will be an outstanding trip, one that will be talked about for years to come.
[email protected]
.
Join the Discussion:
»