Today is Hockey Christmas around the NHL, otherwise known as the trade deadline. This is the day when Hockey Claus goes from playoff team chimney to playoff team chimney dropping off the unrestricted free agents of lesser teams throughout the league to help them make that final push toward the Stanley Cup. This year, however, could prove to be a complicated one. There are so many teams, especially in the Western Conference, still in playoff contention that it could effect who is selling and who is buying. Additionally, many teams are right up against the cap making it difficult to add the expensive future free agents that are floating out there.
As for the Hawks they would clearly be buyers in any other year and it is likely they will add a small piece or two. Personally, I don't expect them to make any major moves because of the chemistry on this team and the lack of cap space. They made a couple of minor moves in preparation of anything that may happen today. The Hawks sent Skille back down to the minors despite two strong games with the big club. Skille has a large rookie bonus that would be problematic to the cap if the Hawks were to pull off a trade today. Craig Adams was put on waivers and if he is claimed that will clear another $600,000 of cap space. With these moves the team is showing they are at least actively looking to make a move. Wisniewski, Byfgulien, Khabibulin, and Havlat are certainly the most rumored players on the Hawks right now. The way Havlat and Kabby have been playing I truly don't see them being moved. I'm a fan of Wis and Buff but if we can get a true veteran center for one of them I think I could learn to move on.
Check here for updates as I will post any Blackhawks moves and my thoughts. On my Hockey Christmas list is a new contract for Havlat, if thats the only announcement we get today I would consider it a very successful trade deadline.
More later!
Update:
-Craig Adams claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins
-Rumors everywhere that the Hawks have traded a second round pick for Toronto Center Dominic Moore. Nothing more than a rumor at this point.
-James Wisniewski traded to Anaheim for Samuel Pahlsson
This will certainly be it for the Hawks and I'm sad to see Wiz leave but truthfully the Hawks are much deeper on defense than they were at the center position. Wiz' personality and demeanor in the clubhouse may be the biggest loss. I've had a great opportunity to meet many of the Hawks in person and Wiz was definitely one of the nicest.
In return they get the veteran center we desperately needed. The Hawks can now run four solid lines including a reunited Towes, Kane, and Sharp when he returns from injury. Pahlsson's got some issues, including being out right now with mono, but once he's healthy I think he cleans up the Hawks lines and gives us someone who can win face-offs. Meanwhile hopefully Aaron Johnson, Jordan Hendry, or Hjalmarsson can step up and replace what we're losing in Wiz. The real question is; what do I do with all my Wiz wear?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment