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The NHL trading deadline is less than 4 weeks away and it is becoming apparent that more and more teams are getting ready to make some moves.

Obviously, Hawk fans are wondering if Stan Bowman will make any moves at all, and if he does, what kind. To answer that question, I’m going to work off what I’ve heard and just some logic.

First, I do believe the Hawks are in cautious buying mode and have been for a while. I don’t think they are necessarily believing their own press clippings as far as the regulation points streak. Put another way, they certainly know they have a good team, but there is evidence that suggests they see ways it could be improved.

You can even glean that from comments Stan Bowman has made to the media over the last couple of weeks—they’d like to add a depth forward, preferably a guy who can take some faceoffs (and win them).

I have also heard that the Hawks have made at least one team know that they would be interested in a star player on an expiring contract.

GMs tend to be creatures of habit when it comes to trades; they will deal with certain other GMs and teams they’ve dealt with in the past.

Further, at this time of year, you have to look at which teams are selling and which are buying, as well as which conference they’re in. No team is out there just waiting to help the Hawks fill holes, especially not Western Conference teams, and even less so teams clearly in the playoff hunt themselves.

Teams I would watch as far as the Hawks:

Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Calgary, Columbus, Winnipeg, Washington, Florida.

Bowman has made deals with all of those teams except Columbus and Tampa. But there is a strong connection between the Bowman family and Lightning GM Steve Yzerman, and I repeatedly heard rumors last season of talks and near deals between the two clubs.

From Ottawa, two players I have heard the Hawks covet are C Zach Smith and W Chris Neil. Neil is likely going to be the easier player to pry loose.

In Tampa, the Hawks have made inquiries in the past about W Teddy Purcell and C Nate Thompson. Both are fairly highly valued by the Bolts, evidenced by a huge contract Tampa gave Purcell in the offseason. Regardless, Thompson suits the Hawks’ needs well. Another possibility here is W/C Adam Hall.

The Hawks, I’m told, have told Calgary GM Jay Feaster that if/when Jarome Iginla goes on the block, they’d be interested.

The Hawks have had discussions over the last two years with Columbus about C Derick Brassard and W Derek Dorsett.

The chemistry between the Hawks and Winnipeg is very strong, due to Jet GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s ties to the Hawk organization. The problem is the two players the Hawks have coveted in the past have signed longer term deals: D Mark Stuart (less recently) and C Jim Slater (more recently). And the Hawks really have no need on defense. Another name who might bear watching is C/W Chris Thorburn, who would be a very low-risk, low-cost pickup and would fill a range of needs on the Hawks’ lower lines and penalty kill.

In Washington, George McPhee might like to part with Joel Ward and his contract. A couple of more realistic possibilities here might be C/Ws Jay Beagle or Matt Hendricks.

In Florida, there have been rumors lately (though not in my inbox) of the Hawks and Panthers talking about W/C Tomas Fleischmann.

Are these the only players and teams the Hawks could be involved with? No. But this, I believe, begins to define the buying market for the Hawks

Now, who goes the other way?

Start with a fairly rich prospect pipeline, with prime candidates Jimmy or Kevin Hayes, Brandon Pirri, Joakim Nordstrom, Ben Smith, Jeremy Morin, Shawn Lalonde or possibly even 2011 first round pick Mark McNeill (in the right deal). Maybe someone takes a flyer on Kyle Beach at this point, maybe not.

The Hawks are likely also going to have to make some cap decisions this summer and two players going into free agency who could be moved (again, only for the right return) would be Viktor Stalberg or Nick Leddy. Neither should be an easy decision for the Hawks—both have grown since last year and contributed this year. And possibly add Michal Frolik to the list.

There is a strong argument for not disrupting the present chemistry of the Hawks. But every potential deal has to be viewed through the lens of the value of the need filled against the value of the asset lost—relative to your overall roster. While the streak obscures this fact, the Hawks, it can be argued still might have a hole or two.

And Bowman likely learned his lesson about impending free agents in the summer of 2010 when Stanley Cup bonuses and other factors caused him to lose players with either zero compensation (Antti Niemi) or not enough (Andrew Ladd).

COLORADO TONIGHT/UPDATE 10:55AM Eastern

Since the Avs were the Hawks' last opponent, I'm not going to do a full preview blog.

On the injury front, Andrew Shaw flew out to Denver and therefore is likely playing tonight.Same with marian Hossa, who I heard this morning was held out Wednesday due to a shoulder bruise. Late word was Michal Frolik travelled separately to Denver, which sounds to me like his playing status might be determined today or at game time. Patrick Sharp is out. Brandon Bollig has been recalled.

What does all this mean? Something like this as far as lines:

SAAD TOEWS HOSSA
CARCILLO BOLLAND KANE
BICKELL SHAW STALBERG
BOLLIG KRUGER FROLIK (OR MAYERS)

Something like that.


All for now,


JJ

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