Just when most of us sane individuals thought that the Hawks winning streak and great record would keep the trolls from spewing forth ridiculous trade rumors, I am proven wrong. Thankfully, the Brendan Morrow derby, if there was such a thing, ended this weekend with Pittsburgh acquiring him for a prospect and draft pick. That said, there will be some movement on and around deadline day. This is a brief list of some forwards that could move in the next 10 days, based on their UFA status come July 5th, and their team's current lack of playoff position:
Mike Ribeiro
Alex Semin
Brad Boyes
Jerome Iginla
Matt Cullen
Vinny Prospal
Derek Roy
Mark Letestu
Nik Antropov
Eric Fehr
Steve Sullivan
Milan Hejduk
Kyle Chipchura
Ryane Clowe
Wojtek Wolski
Chuck Kobasew
Kyle Wellwood
Jochen Hecht
Ruslan Fedotenko
For the record, I'm an Iginla fan, but I say hold your horses, Cowboys. Don't fire up this rodeo just yet.
First of all, I ask just where he plays on this Blackhawks team. Top line is Saad, Toews, and Hossa; second line is Kane, Bolland, and Sharp; third line is Bickell, Shaw, and Stalberg. Do they demote Saad to 3rd or 4th line? That's the only logical move. Are Sharp and Hossa more hurt than the team is letting on to? If so, this move is a reasonable one but if Sharp and Hossa are expected back, this is a huge salary and name to take on with no place to put said name.
Secondly, Who do the Hawks have to give up, to get a name like Iginla? Word on the street has been everything from a first round draft pick/roster player, to a first rounder/defensive prospect/roster player. Not that the Hawks first rounds have been anything special since Kane was drafted, but do you part with your pick for a 2 month rental? The Hawks have some players that they would easily give away, but do the Flames really want Shawn Lalonde, or Kyle Beach? Jay Feaster IS their GM, so that answer isn't as easy as you night think, and they DID pick up Blackhawks cast-a-way Akim Aliu, but I digress.
Third, you have to throw in the Bowman Factor. Stan worships at the altar of Poppa Scotty, who built his teams from within, and used trades to fill in holes with budget players. There aren't many times when you can find Pops making a blockbuster trade for a big name. The Blackhawks were in much more dire need of help the past two seasons, and really did nothing. This year the Hawks have one of the best records in the league, and have shown very few weaknesses. I would expect Bowman to make a safe depth move, and Iginla ends up somewhere else, unless they can get a helluva deal. Don't say I didn't tell you.
None of the other players really give me the warm and fuzzies. Clowe's size and aggressiveness might gather some interest but, again, where does he go? He replaces Bickell, who then moves to the 4th line. What is the price, and would Wilson even deal with the Blackhawks?
Otherwise, Roy, Cullen, or Letestu might help up the middle, but are they an upgrade over Bolland? They all can win a faceoff, which is what the Hawks really need. This is all purely speculation, and only Bowman knows what is on his plate, but don't fore up the Jerome Iginla welcome wagon, just yet.