The Official 2008-09 NHL Season Discussion Thread

Post by **joehelmer** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:05 pm

Then the messiness is like this:

O'Sullivan from Kings to Carolina for Justin Williams
O'Sullivan from Carolina to Oilers for Eric Cole

Post by **getzlaf15** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:14 pm

Leafs also get Kolzig. How many goalies do they want?

Kotalik also to Edmonton for a 2nd rounder.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:22 pm

I'm going to need diagrams at some point. Maybe some pie charts and bar graphs too.

selne · Post by **selne** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:29 pm

I'm sure you heard it: Connolly signed two-year, $9 million contract extension with the Sabres. He is always injured so the amounts of money is surprising to me...

...but he can draw some sick moves out of his pocket!

Post by **getzlaf15** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:35 pm

He's awesome IF he stays healthy, big IF though, bit like Havlat (touch wood he stays healthy), who has this year and look at his numbers.

None of the big D-men we spoke about went in the end, Pronger, Bouwey, Nieds, Kuba, Kaberle, Kubina actually moved in the end.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:37 pm

Morris and Leopold were the two name d-men that moved.

Post by **batdad** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:57 pm

If James Wizniewski goes to Anaheim and plays 1/2 of the way he has played in Chicago the last 2 years (taking out the bad injury period) Anaheim has a steal in this deal if it was Wiz straight up for Sami, who at best now is a checking center who cannot skate very well. Wiz scores, hits, fights, plays pp and pk. Um,.... yeah sounds like a #3 dman to me.

Oh but wait there is more. Petri Kontiola has a ton of skill, and will look real good as Anaheim's second line center.

Oh wait, there is more....PAHLSSON has mono and who knows if he can even come back and play. Sheesh. not to mention the Hawks needed a center that had some freaking offensive upside. Sami? Not likely.

This is not to say Sami is a poor player. He is decent, just not the right guy for the Hawks. They really needed Moore.

The biggest winners of the day:

1. Phoenix Coyotes-_WOW! Prucha, Dawes, Kalinin, Lombardi, Prust, Upshall--Holy speed and grit batman! These guys (save Kalinin) all have tremendous possibility. Upshall could be a super steal actually ==and also a 2nd rounder in that deal? For Carcillo? Who knew Carcillo was better than Dominic Moore or Eric Cole? Apparently Philly thinks so.
2. I would say Calgary Flames, but I don't think it will make that much of a difference. I really do not. They were already on the verge of being able to handle Det/SJ...and this only makes em a little closer.
3. Anaheim Ducks--reasons above.
4. Buffalo Sabres
5. Edmonton Oilers.
6. New Jersey Devils (including in Havelid and Shanahan)

LOSERS

1. NY Rangers--just assmebling a bunch of parts that make no sense
2. Minnesota Wild
3. Chicago Blackhawks--They have to call up a rookie dman, and they DID not get the C they needed. Just a spare part.

Neither Winners nor losers

1. Vancouver Canucks
2. Montreal Canadiens

Both these teams are getting bad raps because they did nothing. Sorry but Sundin/VanAanen could be enough, and the nucks do not have the prospects to move out. Montreal with Schneider is good, and unfortunatley the prices for their other needs (read Chris Neil, Antropov, Moore) were too high for them to pay. Smart plays by both
3. Boston Bruins--Really Recchi may help, but not sure if putting him out there just takes away ice from better younger players. Montador is just a depth move. Not much upside really. But not downside either.
4. Buffalo Sabres--Just filling in for injury. Good moves.
5. Carolina--If Cole and only if Cole decides to play again will this be a win. If he does not its a loss. If he just goes through the motions like he has in Edm..no big deal either way. Would rather have kept O'Sullivan.
6. LA Kings--O'Sullivan was not a fit with their other highly skilled forwards. A straight sniper like Williams should help a bit, and this team is not for now anyway.

selne · Post by **selne** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:38 am

That Carcillo for Upshall trade was surprising for me, too. I thought Upshall still had some undeveloped potential.

jbsnadb · Post by **jbsnadb** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:55 am

As a Flyers fan and a Philadelphian, I am disappointed by Holmgren's moves today. Giving up a speedster like Upshall AND a 2nd round pick for a goon like Carcillo whose own coach thinks he takes "selfish penalties" is highway robbery. He has some upside, but not as much as Upshall. This was a salary move, but the draft pick should have gone the other way, IMHO. And Kyle McLaren?!? Why waste a pick on what is essentially a minor league player at this point (who will play on a team in Philly that has an abundance of d-men)?

Uggghhhh.

Was a bit surprised St. Louis neither bought nor sold. Likewise Detroit, but for different reasons. How many goalies does Toronto need these days, and I wonder how John Tortorella and Marty Brodeur feel about having Sean Avery back in New York.

Post by **batdad** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:21 am

On the Toronto stuff:

1. They still need a goalie.

2. Kolzig will never play for them. Injured for season, and will be retiring.
3. Heward will never play for them...injured and UFA at end of year.
4. Rogers is a prospect who is always getting injured. Not likely to play for them
5. 4th rounder is what the laffs got for a prospect who was never going to play for them

There is a chance Rogers pans out..a miniscule one even according to Jay Feaster who drafted him 30th overall the year the TBL (what?--Tampa Bay Lightning) won the Cup. But that is the compensation for what the Laffs have done here.

They have taken $500k off the salaries the financially troubled Lightning owners have to pay. There are rumours out there that TBL is on the verge of reverting to its previous owners, because the new guys have little or no money left. This salary dump (Heward and Kolzig) is so the new owners get to a low enough salary so that they are eligible for Revenue Sharing from the other NHL clubs. Just to be clear, this deal is about $$$$$ for Tampa not hockey. Its a garbage deal, with Burke doing a favor for a 4th round pick for the Lightning owners.

This is why Burke would not talk about deals at the presser he had, as the NHL had not confirmed this deal. There were major legal concerns about this deal and noone was willing to accept it as done, until the league did okay it. If the Laffs could have sent $500k to TBL owners...they would have. the prospect the lAffs gave up was just to make it look like an NHL deal.

Torts is just gonna do his job..coach. And Brodeur could care less, just gonna worry about his Devils..avery is nothing to him. Not an issue.

Post by **Shadd666** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:14 am

Not sure the situation is so good for Montreal. No center, no goalie. Sure, they needed a Dman at the point and Schneider provided it so far, but was it their biggest need and what will make the biggest difference come playoff time? Not so sure... And Schneider's big salary is probably not strange why the Habs couldn't make any other deal.

As for Toronto and goalies, things are simple. Kölzig won't play, as explained. Toskala is out for the remainder of the season. Joseph is too old. Enroth is too young. Gerber was available on re-entry waivers. So here comes Gerber with a Leafs uniform.

My big question is on the very first move of this deadline. Vermette for Leclaire and a 2nd. Sure, Leclaire is having difficulties this year. But if he can come back to the level of play he had last season, this trade would be a big steal by the Sens. If he doesn't, they get a 2nd round pick for Vermette, which is fair IMO. Their only way to end up loosers on this deal is if Leclaire disappears completely AND the Sens draft poorly with this 2nd round pick. Which is totally possible...

Satan not took on waivers? I'm not surprised. He's got skills. He just doesn't always think about showing it and/or using it. Who wants that? Apprently, noone. Makes sense to me.

Anyway, big winner of the day is Phoenix for sure. With Calgary behind. Fun thing is that they are probably the two biggest winners of the day, and made the biggest trade of the day between them.

Post by **McQwak** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:45 pm

getzlaf15 wrote:Leafs also get Kolzig. How many goalies do they want?

Kotalik also to Edmonton for a 2nd rounder.

Kotalik, Horcoff, Hemsky line looks great. I have in my game similar one, just instead of Hemsky I have Hejduk there. Works fine.

Post by **archibalduk** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:42 pm

I'm happy with Recci arriving at the Bruins. Perhaps his experience will help us build up a winning streak. Ok, he's not as young as he used to be (pardon the cliché) but I think he's a positive acquisition. I always a bit of a fan of him when he was at the Flyers (ah Lindros, Recci, LeClair... those were the days!). I won't miss Nokalainen.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:50 pm

Recchi also had some good season in his early 90's days with the Penguins.

Peterman5000 · Post by **Peterman5000** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:25 pm

Some brilliant comments on here.

The Rangers added size and grit for players that proved nothing.

Mr. Invisible Dawes and Prucha for a top 4 defenseman.

Antropov opens up the ice.

Rangers were winners.

The Hawks were winners too.

Pahlsson is an excellent faceoff man, penalty killer and all around great forward.

Pahlsson is a huge addition for the Hawks.

Post by **Shadd666** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:02 am

I agree with you on Pahlsson to the Hawks, although i'd be more moderate in the way i see him... Good addition, not huge.

For the Rags though... Avery will bring a big mess in the locker room, Antropov is everything but consistency, and Morris is struggling badly this season. Dawes and Prucha never proved anything, but they've never been extremly well developped either. With a staff paying more attention to them, they can become solid players. Maybe not stars, but solid players nonetheless. Kalinin is a solid guy, although he's not a dominant presence. Morris hasn't been dominant either this season, but costs twice the price. And the Rags also let go a 2nd round pick and a conditionnal pick. Rags were winners, and there's a good chance that they miss the playoffs because of those bad moves.

Post by **batdad** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 4:00 am

We shall see how it all plays out.

Chicago--gave up on a dman that many have said is going to be a top 3-4 player who has a big physical presence...maybe not since his injury, but he was playing 20 minutes per nite for a VERY good team recently.
Sami Pahlsson--was great 3 years ago, good 2 years ago, decent last year and so far this year has been horrible, and has now been out with mono. Maybe he does get new life and plays great in the playoffs. However, in the LR I will almost guarantee that Anaheim wins that deal. Why?

Because Chicago has no one remotely like Travis Moen and Rob Niedermeyer to play Pahlsson with. They are not going to have a checking line. They can't. The Hawks needed a little more offense than Pahlsson has ever proven he can provide. Also, it was only about 5 months ago that the Hawks were calling Kontiola a great prospect as their 2nd line center.

Again, it remains to be seen...but unless Pahlsson helps carry Chicago to at least round 3 and has a super playoff...the Hawks lose that deal. Badly.

Rangers--can someone please explain to me how on earth acquiring a guy who has 1 ...yes 1...power play asisst this season is going to go and make a NYR power play any better than it is with Redden and Roszival on the points? it is not. Morris has lost a step. He is not as physical as he once was, and he does not contribute offensively like he once did. Sound like anyone the Rags already had? And to give up 3 young kids for this is insane. Almost as insane as the Upshall deal the Flyers made. Especially since Morris is UFA at the end of the year, and some team with more cap space than the Rags will pay him more than the Rags can afford.

Nikolai Antropov is a big soft floater.No way is he going to be able to do anything different than what he has proven he cannot do for his career in the Maple Laff zone in the other carnival known as Glen Sather's playground. He is soft, and has pulled a disappearing act so many times I am not sure how it is going to help them. A 2nd round pick? EVen Burke said he never thought he could get that for him. He was actualyl surprised. And with Drury, Gomez, Dubinsky already there...how does Antro fit in? Right ... as a winger. Somewhere where he has done nothing in his career, unless he played with a superstar. Which he has none of in New York. Except for the pouty one in Gomez.

The Rags now have gutted their youth (AGAIN) Dawes is super fast and super shifty. Like Shadd said the kid has never been given a chance. Prucha? may or may not be anything who knows. But in 1 season with a superstar he did more than Antropov ever did playing with a superstar.

There is not a person out there in the hockey world I have heard outside of NY city and those who believe the spew Sather throws out (Remember the one about how he would win the cup every year if he had a budget like the Rangers do, when he was still GM in Edmonton?) who actually thinks these deals will help the Rags. Ferraro, McGuire, McKenzie, Feaster (Rags coach best bud), Barnaby, Kypreos (a Ranger homer),Clement, and all hockey respected media have called the Rags abject losers in these deals. So to claim they are winners...well only time will tell, but don't bet on it.

There are people who think Sami will help the Hawks...and maybe he will. I hope he does. But...now the Hawks have to use either Aaron Johnson (a useless journeyman) or an unproven rookie (Hjalmarsson) for at least 16 minutes per night on a pair with either barker, Walker or the always defensively challenged Brian Campbell. Not a good thing.

Wit hthe Hawk type of team, he just does not fit in. Maybe the Hawks can quickly teach a young kid how to play a d role like Moen or Niedermeyer. But ...Please someone tell me who is going to be a checking winger for the Hawks? Ladd? They ain't gonna break up what is really their #1 line, even though they call it #3. Ladd-Bolland-Havlat rolls too well. Brouwer? Has he ever come out of the corner with a puck? Buffy the Vampire lover?--No desire there. Sharp?? Possibly...but I think he would be more valuable on a line with Toews and Kane.

Also, he can win as many faceoffs as he wants...they still have to have someone to play him with

Peterman5000 · Post by **Peterman5000** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:27 am

The Rangers needed someone who can jam the middle of the ice and net.

Antropov may float and may be on the slow side, but at 6'6" he's a huge target.

Opens the ice for the better, faster Ranger forwards and pinching defensemen.

Antropov isn't a perfect solution, but in the market today, there weren't any bigger names to be had.

As far as Morris goes, yes, he has lost a step. But considering the stupid salaries Slather gave Redden and Drury, Slather created more flexibility for next season. A cup winner was never built in one deadline ....it's a process. I also think Slather is going to retire next season. Leaving the next Rangers boss with a nice mess. In Slats defense though...when he made these contracts he probably thought the cap would go up again, since the league had such a positive year.

I think the Rangers did the right thing, but maybe and certainly not the perfect thing.

As far as Pahlsson goes, he's a true playoff performer. He was outstanding for the Ducks during their cup run. He takes his game to much higher level when it's on the line. I really feel that he is a PERFECT fit for the Hawks.

He chips in offense if asked too, wins key faceoffs and plays amazingly in his own end. He's like a 3rd defenseman.

Post by **Shadd666** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:15 pm

I don't see where Sather created any cap flexibility in adding Morris instead of Kalinin... Kalinin is 2.1M$ and upcoming UFA. Morris is 3.9M$ and upcoming UFA. Prucha? 1.6M$ and upcoming UFA. Dawes? 600K$ and upcoming RFA. Antropov? 2M$ and upcoming UFA.

None of those players are contracted for next year, so where's the gain in cap flexibility there? They've sent 4.2M$ and took 5.9M$ by replacing a struggling Dman by a struggling Dman costing twice the price, and replace 2 talented youngsters by a sloppy player who costs as much as both. And they eventually lost 2 picks in the operation, including a 2nd rounder. And... they added this jerk of Sean Avery and his 2M$ a season (thanks to re-entry waivers operation).

Cap space gained this season? -3.7M$
Cap space gained for next season? -2M$
Talent gained in defense? Very few, if any
Talent gained in offense? None
Experience gained for the playoffs? A bit, but not that much
Warrior mentality gained for the playoffs? A bit with Morris, but big losses with Antropov and Avery
Talent gained for the future? 2 prospects lost, a second round pick lost, a conditionnal pick lost.

I mean, really, how can you call this a win?

They've won absolutely nowhere and lost barely everywhere! Amongst active teams at the deadline, the Rangers have been one of the biggest loosers.

As for Pahlsson, i don't know... I see batdad's point in Wisniewsky's loss and the fact that Sami has noone to play around him. In the same time, i still think the Hawks needed a center responsible defensively and able to win key faceoffs, and Sami is able to do that. At least, he has been able to do that in the past. With the playoffs coming and the game becoming more physical and defensive there, having such center is a good addition IMO. In the same time and for the same reasons, loosing Wisniewsky is a handicap. All in all, it seems the Hawks just moved the problem, but didn't really solve it. Let's call it a draw.

Btw batdad, i don't see why you think the Hawks needed a more offensive center... I mean, they already have tons of offensive firepower, but are more questionnable defensively. I know you love offensive hockey, but we also all know that special teams are crucial come playoffs time. And the Hawks are actually only 17th PK with 80.9%, part of it because they're only 28th team in faceoffs with 47.1%. Those are their main weaknesses, and i think they've adressed a good part of it with Pahlsson, who can kill penalties and win faceoffs... And even with those PK and faceoff issues, they remain the 5th best defense in the league. So yes, they'll loose a bit of their defensive stability with the loss of Wisniewsky and his replacement by a nobody. But this may be compensated by a better PK thanks to Sami's addition. They can even win thanks to it... or not... only ice results will tell.

But really, i'd be curious to know why you think they needed a more offensive guy...

Post by **batdad** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:42 pm

The Hawks just needed someone more in the mold of Moore. Someone who can and does contribute at both ends of the rink. They have said that Bolland is not ready to be a 2nd line center (hence they call their best line Ladd-Bolland-Havlat the third line). They needed someone to slot in between Toews and Bolland.

Criteria for what Tallon said he wanted originally:

1. A bit of a playmaker
2. A Faceoff champ
3. Someone who plays hard in own end.
4. Someone who forechecks hard.
5. Size and toughness

Of those, what did he get. A guy with mono, who has no offensive upside, who plays hard in his own end, and wins just 1/2 of his faceoffs, and in fact had Rob Niedermeyer take many of them

We can all point back to his one great playoff season, but if I recall he has been in the playoffs since then and done nothing. Chris Kontos was a star one year in the playoffs too. So was Jon Druce. Claude Lemieux, Esa Tikkanen, Glenn Anderson...they all upped their games for SEVERAL playoff seasons in a row.

He is not a big upgrade on the draw, just a minor one. Plus to make this move they let go a solid dman and had to waive one of their better PKers in Craig Adams. Just not sure how much that will improve.

Like I said with Sami we shall see. Maybe he can return to his form from a few years ago, which I saw up close and personal and absolutely loved. The man was amazing against the Canucks. And may get another crack at them this season.

And Peterman--Not sure taking into account previous mistakes (redden, Roszival, Drury, Gomez) allows me to change my mind on what Slats has done this time at the deadline. Antropov has never created room for anyone. Sundin did that in TO. And yep, Ponikarovsky did that in TO. BUt Nik...nope. Maybe he can be that player in a fresh enviornment, but he is not exactly a rookie, so I don't think so.

Morris has always been overrated as an offensive dman. When Calgary dealt him they were ecstatic because someone else overrated his skill. Phoenix got lucky too as Slats is desperate. Yeah, the Rags had to get rid of Kalinin (or Rosy or Redden) but man...I dunno. Just don't see this helping them now or later.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:24 pm

I never minded Pahlsson whilst at the Ducks, he's been a long servant for the club. Like batdad said, he doesn't have someone like Moen or Nieds with him to build another line like he had in Orange County. There isn't much offense about the guy, hardly any infact, so I can't see him playing 2nd line what-so-ever. Pahlsson won't play much time in Chicago, he's out for another 3 weeks with Mono, which means all he could be there for is the playoff run.

I don't know much about Wisniewski, but he's a young guy who can develop nicely with the tuition of Niedermayer and Pronger on the blueline, we seem to have a hell of a lot of young D-men at the moment (Salcido, De Gray, Mikkelson, Festerling, Mitera next year, Gardiner), not sure we need more Defensemen. Bobby Ryan has been given Kariya's number 9 jersey. And Christiansen is playing on the first line tongiht with Getzlaf and Perry. Good for him.

Also, McLaren has failed a medical with the Flyers and the trade has been vetoed by Philly, giving them their 6th rounder back.

Peterman5000 · Post by **Peterman5000** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:03 am

Batdad,

I don't think any players live up to your impression of those criteria.

Pahlsson is that player. Are you a Hawks fan?

Peterman5000 · Post by **Peterman5000** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 12:12 am

As far as Antropov goes, the guy is a good player, not great by any stretch.

I'm sure Burke had at least 10 teams calling about him.

I look at it this way...you had said the Rangers dump their future again.

Dawes is a tiny forward, and he doesn't show up every night, i watch every game. He does have a good skill set, but he doesn't bring it.

If Antropov plays well, the Rangers can re-sign him, if he doesn't, he can walk, and free up cap space for the Rangers to sign a true top 6 forward.

Same thing with Morris. I don't expect him to score 20 points to the playoffs. but if he plays well, the Rangers can look at him and Mara or let them walk.

Post by **batdad** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:01 am

Peterman5000 wrote:Batdad,

I don't think any players live up to your impression of those criteria.

Pahlsson is that player. Are you a Hawks fan?

Burrows, Kesler, Dominic Moore, Lombardi, Conroy, Horcoff, Laperriere, Mikko Koivu, Tkachunk, Arnott, Legwand, even Radek Bonk, Draper (when younger was the top of the class), Gaustad, Chimera, Peca (younger), Fedorov (younger), Getz, when younger Rob Niedermeyer himself, La has nothing, Goc, Grier(save faceoffs), Curtis Brown (now retired), Modano (even now), the guy they should have got Halpern, Sutherby, Phx has nothing, Begin, pick almost anyone after Savard, Fisher, Vermette, Florida has Horton (no faceoff), Laich, Brind'Amour (younger, but maybe even now), zippo on Tampa that plays that way, Reasoner to some extent, Reinprecht to some extent, Todd White, Philly's guy is toooooo good at it (richards), god even Dubinsky, Weight, Holik (younger), Zubrus, J Staal.

So that is one from virtually every team in the NHL that basically fits the criteria in at least 4 of 5 ways. Sami Pahlsson fits in #2, #3 and that is all. 2 of 5.

I have seen EVERY single one of them play at least 3 times this season. Oh, and to answer the question about being a Hawks fan. I like the Hawks. I like the Canucks. But first and foremost I am a hockey guy. Ask anyone around here, I like certain things about hockey players, and I can basically tell you something about everyone of them playing in the show. I am much more familiar with the WHL players who are 17 and under but I have seen every one of those kids play at least 4 times this year.

My favorite choice of all of those for the Hawks and what they need (excluding stars like Zetterberg, and no way you could get em without giivng up a big piece guy players like Lombardi, Kesler, Burrows, and FOR Sure no way you get ems because going to playoffs and are key to that team)..leaves me with this

1. Halpern
2. Brind'Amour (not gonna fit in Hawks mismanaged cap squad)
3. Laperriere (did not go anywhere, so must have been pricey)
4. Moore
5. Vermette (But CBJ had a better offer than Hawks could compete with)
6. Todd White
7, Reinprecht

All these guys fit way better with what the Hawks need than Pahlsson. Had anyone of them been asked if Wisniewski was a good value, I bet all save Brind'Amour, Vermette and Moore would have agreed to do it. For Pahlsson, Wisniewski plus is TOO much. Trust me, Petri Kontiola is highly highly regarded by many. The Hawks management team does not like him anymore for some reason, but others are still very high. The Ducks may be very shocked if they get him to resign and play. He could be very good.

Antropov--3rd line C on a team who could care less about Defense. Or 2nd line winger on a team that could care less about grit and offense. Your right, could be a good fit on the Rags since they are just as confused a team as Antro is a player.

Dawes-Small, has been in and out in his career for sure. However...was he really given any time to shine? His skill set is scary good, as is his speed. Mason Raymond like that way.

Prucha--Scary hard worker. No hands, but managed 30 goals somehow (Jagr). Turris as he matures, with Doan may easily get this out of him again.

Kalinin-Basically the same dman as Morris. really...he is.

Peterman5000 · Post by **Peterman5000** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:08 am

Manny Malhotra!

I agree with a lot of what you said.

I just think these trades the Rangers made were good for various reasons. By no means do I think they will win a cup.

Slather crippled the team with poor free agents, like he has done since he's been there. So these moves kind of saved him, because the Rangers could have over 8 million freed up if none of these guys are re-signed.

Scott Gomez has the potential to be a #1 center, in the right system with the right linemates, but the Rangers have lofted him and Drury up into positions neither they were prepared for or able.

It's all about slotting players and having an actual top 6. Then the rest is relish, guys with good backend skills and how hard they work. I hate to steal an EHM term, but workrate is really a key rating for players on lines 3 and 4.

I really do think that Pahlsson will do really well there. He's got game, and he's younger than alot of the names on your list. I think with the right group of wingers, Pahlsson could put up some points. He is really there to be a faceoff guy and kill penalties.

I think the other thing to keep in mind is that the Hawks DID NOT want to part with Jack Skille, and that's the player a lot of these teams were asking for - I mean the Jackets had to give up Leclaire for Vermette, who's a good forward, but not a game changer by any stretch.

Pahlsson can play left wing, center and even defense in a pinch, as he did for the Ducks. He stepped up during there cup run, i think had 15 points in the playoffs that year, and was in the +. He's been a Selke nominee too.