Which makes everyone question why Scott is still on the team...
- HawkFan27

Only because the roster spot isn't needed yet....But don't count on him being here after the deadline.

Find that a little hard to believe JJ since they've been ranked in the top 10 of many publications lists of prospects. I think while they don't have any stand out superstars right now they are very deep in terms of forwards however some of their better prospects are the younger ones (McNeill, Saad, Hayes, Danault) that might not be up for 2-3 years. I said it before and I'll say it again, you'd be hard pressed to find ANY other NHL club that has produced players like the Hawks have the past 6-7 years. They have a great scouting dept that never gets any credit but they always seem to know what they're doing when it comes to drafting and not just the easy picks (Kane, Toews) but landing later round picks as well.

Also some of their most recent prospects have graduated to the big club in the past year or so (Kruger, Leddy, Shaw, J.Hayes).

Joe,

Halpern is the 2nd best faceoff man in the NHL and is a much better player than anyone here on the 4th line.

If the Hawks can get him for Bickell they would do it in a NY second....Even Frolik would be doable.
- Al

Al - doesn't this call into question why they would want to move him in the first place, given their roster makeup?

Wouldn't it indicate that the 'Hawks are offering something big in return?

Olsen's not going for anyone mentioned... is my guess.
- Al

I hope you're right Al. I could see him slotting into the Hawks blueline mix as the #6 guy sometime in the next couple of years. At the same time, if he's the piece that brings in someone like Beauchemin, or another legitimate blueliner that can play big minutes, I'd say do it!

JJ - Do you give a deal with Washington a 75% chance of happening?

Hawks got him off the scrap heap as a free agent. He might bring back a conditional late round pick before the deadline, late, when a lot of others are off the market.
- John Jaeckel

+1

From all reports on the Habs, Halpern was a great team guy. Also, he is very strong defensively but does possess a knack for scoring some timely goals. He would be an excellent pickup but I can't see Washington wanting to lose a guy like that for the Playoffs. Those are the kind of guys you want for depth.

Good piece today from Adam Jahns of the Sun-Times about SB and the trade market. Sounds like SB & Co. are burning up the phone lines.

http://www.suntimes.com/s...and-a-veteran-center.html

From all reports on the Habs, Halpern was a great team guy. Also, he is very strong defensively but does possess a knack for scoring some timely goals. He would be an excellent pickup but I can't see Washington wanting to lose a guy like that for the Playoffs. Those are the kind of guys you want for depth.
- Routs

My thoughts as well, unless the return is lopsided in their favor.

My thoughts as well, unless the return is lopsided in their favor.
- FredoXV

Or if they need a bit more cap room to make a bigger move.

Three out of four prospects don't make it.

Igor Radulov, Dmitri Nabokov, Mikhail Yakubov, Matt Keith, Adam Berti, Remi Royer, Jeremy Reich, Geoff Peters, Eric Lecompte, Adam Munro . . .

And guess what, Hawk prospects overall aren't that good compared to some teams, so even the better of them aren't necessarily surefire NHL stars or even players.
- John Jaeckel

I don't disagree that most prospects don't pan out, that's definitely true. I would be interested in knowing how you've decided the Hawks prospects aren't good overall? Hockey Prospectus hasn't had the Hawks outside of the top 5 in the organizational rankings (not including NHL players) all year, and even if you have qualms with HP certainly the range can't dip much lower than top 10.

Halpern is a nice player, no doubt, but again I ask, if he is all the things you guys have heaped on him, why would Washington move him when they have a dearth of that stuff already?

Don't know much about Erskine, but he seems like an underwhelming pickup. I guess it depends on the price. Halpern, on the other hand, is a guy I'd like to have around for the playoff run for all the reasons mentioned above. i was throwing out names like Pahlsson and Reasoner before. Erskine seems like more of a #6/7 guy. If the Hawks are still working on another dman, then I'm fiine with him.

On Halpern,

JJ, Al, others, what do you give up for this guy? I like him too, but now that we have a potential real deal in the works, lets throw out some value. Of course this is all subjective and I am not asking to play gotcha, but rather try to gauge perception of value.

I am not sure of Washingtons immediate needs, wondering what they may be looking for? A Lalonde, potential puck mover on the blue line with Green issues (not saying Lalonde is ready today of course).

My inclination is that they are looking to get more mobile on the blue line.

Or if they need a bit more cap room to make a bigger move.
- EKolb13

That's a good point, as of right now I don't see WSH as a top tier team in the East. They may need to make a significant move or two to put them back up there with the big boys in the East again.

We already have 4 of those 6-7 type D-men. What we need is a legit 4-5.
- Ogilthorpe2

Can I interest you in Jordan Leopold from the Sabres?
Making $3M this year and next. Salary is not terrible.
His rough play of late is due to the team being terrible, and with the tremendous amount of D injuries, they have leaned him to be almost a top 2 guy, which is too much for him.

He's a perfect 4/5 guy, and he played great up until the past 2 weeks due to the above circumstances.

The Sabres are definitely going to be selling.

Don't know much about Erskine, but he seems like an underwhelming pickup. I guess it depends on the price. Halpern, on the other hand, is a guy I'd like to have around for the playoff run for all the reasons mentioned above. i was throwing out names like Pahlsson and Reasoner before. Erskine seems like more of a #6/7 guy. If the Hawks are still working on another dman, then I'm fiine with him.
- Kentxo

I was thinking about the same thing. Erskine seems like he would be good for a rotation with O'Donnell for the sixth spot. I would still hope Bowman would go out and get a solid defenseman that can play some big minutes.

I hope you're right Al. I could see him slotting into the Hawks blueline mix as the #6 guy sometime in the next couple of years. At the same time, if he's the piece that brings in someone like Beauchemin, or another legitimate blueliner that can play big minutes, I'd say do it!
- EKolb13

Agreed. I can't see Olsen being included in a deal for a rental. But if the player they get back is is young enough, and good enough to be around for a few years (i.e. Smid, Beauchemin or someone like them) then that acquisition would mitigate the need for a guy like Olsen in the near future. I'd be cool with that, but not for a rental.

Can I interest you in Jordan Leopold from the Sabres?
Making $3M this year and next. Salary is not terrible.
His rough play of late is due to the team being terrible, and with the tremendous amount of D injuries, they have leaned him to be almost a top 2 guy, which is too much for him.

He's a perfect 4/5 guy, and he played great up until the past 2 weeks due to the above circumstances.

The Sabres are definitely going to be selling.
- kingcong39

No thanks -- we're already paying one of your cast-offs $2.75 in the form of Steve Montador. Why would we want another at an even higher price?

Can I interest you in Jordan Leopold from the Sabres?
Making $3M this year and next. Salary is not terrible.
His rough play of late is due to the team being terrible, and with the tremendous amount of D injuries, they have leaned him to be almost a top 2 guy, which is too much for him.

He's a perfect 4/5 guy, and he played great up until the past 2 weeks due to the above circumstances.

The Sabres are definitely going to be selling.
- kingcong39

Fool me once...

We already took Monty, I'd say no to anymore Sabre's that Sabre fans would be happy to see go.

Can I interest you in Jordan Leopold from the Sabres?
Making $3M this year and next. Salary is not terrible.
His rough play of late is due to the team being terrible, and with the tremendous amount of D injuries, they have leaned him to be almost a top 2 guy, which is too much for him.

He's a perfect 4/5 guy, and he played great up until the past 2 weeks due to the above circumstances.

The Sabres are definitely going to be selling.
- kingcong39

He was one of the few to show up vs. the HAwks.

On Halpern,

JJ, Al, others, what do you give up for this guy? I like him too, but now that we have a potential real deal in the works, lets throw out some value. Of course this is all subjective and I am not asking to play gotcha, but rather try to gauge perception of value.

I am not sure of Washingtons immediate needs, wondering what they may be looking for? A Lalonde, potential puck mover on the blue line with Green issues (not saying Lalonde is ready today of course).

My inclination is that they are looking to get more mobile on the blue line.
- TrueGrit

I not too familiar with what Washington would want or need. What I can visualize is that they are in a "crap" division. All they really have to do is distance themselves from Flordia and Winnipeg and they're in the playoffs.

I can't see Winnipeg making any big moves to get into the playoffs. I see them more as sellers and trying to put everything together for a solid run in the coming few years.

I don't know what Tallon intends to do in Florida? Does he make a move or two to get a leg up, or does he concede and sell a few pieces too?

There has also been talk about Semin all year. Does Washington really move him? I would figure he could bring them a nice return. At best, maybe Washington makes a deal with the Hawks to clear a bit more cap room, and Washington deals Semin for a couple of good peices with some salary?

That's all I can come up with.

Al - doesn't this call into question why they would want to move him in the first place, given their roster makeup?

Wouldn't it indicate that the 'Hawks are offering something big in return?
- FredoXV

I am not close enough to the Caps to answer...But as I stated earlier Hunter has been there for awhile and now will want his finger prints on the club.

Fool me once...

We already took Monty, I'd say no to anymore Sabre's that Sabre fans would be happy to see go.
- Ogilthorpe2

+1

JJ/Al - What is the likelihood that this deal happens in terms of percentage? Also have you connected with the Caps blogger to see what he's heard?

On Halpern,

JJ, Al, others, what do you give up for this guy? I like him too, but now that we have a potential real deal in the works, lets throw out some value. Of course this is all subjective and I am not asking to play gotcha, but rather try to gauge perception of value.

I am not sure of Washingtons immediate needs, wondering what they may be looking for? A Lalonde, potential puck mover on the blue line with Green issues (not saying Lalonde is ready today of course).

My inclination is that they are looking to get more mobile on the blue line.
- TrueGrit

Bickell to start and realize Halpern is only signed through this season...