My guess is Derek Roy. He's having an ok season and there are rumors he's on the block. He's 28 and is owed 4m next season. I'm not sure if he's the answer if we get him but it seems he ticks all the boxes.

Jesse Rogers says Hammer will be back tomorrow night. Good news.

I pray to god it's not Mike Ribeiro. I'm convinced no team will ever win with him. The guy was a lazy douchebag in high school (we attended the same one) a locker room cancer in Montreal, is still a showboat spoiled brat (as evidenced by the ridiculousness he pulled in Montreal last night, and there is no way I want a guy like him in the Hawks' locker room.

What we know.

1. It's a rumor. Should be stressed in fact.

2. The player is a number 2 center that could play number 1 on certain unfortunate teams around the league.

3. The player has a cap hit going into next year.

4. By way of inductive method, the player must be from a non contending team, as no contender in their right mind does a move like this now, they wait until the offseason.

5. JJ seems to like the rumor, which points to the idea that he likes the player. Ie, it's not Sam Gagner.

6. Again by way of induction, the team proposing the trade must have decent to strong center depth, because few to no teams can trade away something as strong as JJ is mentioning, without it being replaced - likely by something young.

The only player that makes sense to me is Paul Stastny. That said, Colorado is only 4 points back of 8th so they aren't going to give him away; not for picks and prospects alone. A deal HAS to include Stalberg (sadly for me, since he is one of my favorite Hawks), likely has to include Frolik for finacial reasons. Picks and prospects to be included to even out the status of Stastny vs. Stalberg. Colorado needs top six winger help badly so they'll start their offer with Saad.

In my dream universe, there is a way we get TJ Galiardi back too....

Not even sure I want this trade to happen.
- nathanjf

I am totally with you. I would HATE to lose Stalberg. I love his game - speed, good size,and this year he has learned how to finish.

What we know.

1. It's a rumor. Should be stressed in fact.

2. The player is a number 2 center that could play number 1 on certain unfortunate teams around the league.

3. The player has a cap hit going into next year.

4. By way of inductive method, the player must be from a non contending team, as no contender in their right mind does a move like this now, they wait until the offseason.

5. JJ seems to like the rumor, which points to the idea that he likes the player. Ie, it's not Sam Gagner.

6. Again by way of induction, the team proposing the trade must have decent to strong center depth, because few to no teams can trade away something as strong as JJ is mentioning, without it being replaced - likely by something young.

The only player that makes sense to me is Paul Stastny. That said, Colorado is only 4 points back of 8th so they aren't going to give him away; not for picks and prospects alone. A deal HAS to include Stalberg (sadly for me, since he is one of my favorite Hawks), likely has to include Frolik for finacial reasons. Picks and prospects to be included to even out the status of Stastny vs. Stalberg. Colorado needs top six winger help badly so they'll start their offer with Saad.

In my dream universe, there is a way we get TJ Galiardi back too....

Not even sure I want this trade to happen.
- nathanjf

I think you are on to something.

Could Stephen Weiss be the center in question?

Seems to fit the criteria


http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=42450

I pray to god it's not Mike Ribeiro. I'm convinced no team will ever win with him. The guy was a lazy douchebag in high school (we attended the same one) a locker room cancer in Montreal, is still a showboat spoiled brat (as evidenced by the ridiculousness he pulled in Montreal last night, and there is no way I want a guy like him in the Hawks' locker room.
- andru2797

I saw that... Hilarious but yah.. very douchey

Brillaint break down. It seems like Gravo from Toronto could be had for less than Stasny. I also think Toronto and Buffalo (Roy) are more likely trade partners than a Western conference team
- mrpaulish

Derek Roy has like 35 points. No thanks. Grabovski, Brassard, very skilled players both would help the PP and would fit well with Hossa.

Derek Roy has like 35 points. No thanks. Grabovski, Brassard, very skilled players both would help the PP and would fit well with Hossa.
- nickmo2699

I like Grabovski too but it doesn't make sense for Toronto.. They are thin at center, can't see them trading their best one.

I'm not convinced it's Roy..

Whats going to be funny to watch, especially on this board is if Bowman doesn't pull a big trade off now and just adds some smaller pieces (which isn't a terrible thing) people are going to lambaste him..

JJ has everyones hype meter turned to 11..

I missed this:

This transaction, if it happens, could wait until the deadline as it would be a fairly major move both on and off the ice (financially).

I was hoping we would hear something by tomorrow.

Could Stephen Weiss be the center in question?

Seems to fit the criteria


http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=42450
- Anaarkey

Saw that, thought the same thing.

Read on another website that per TSN the Leafs were offered a 2nd rd pick + prospect for Grabovski.

Could Stephen Weiss be the center in question?

Seems to fit the criteria


http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=42450
- Anaarkey

Anybody want to take a guess at what Talon would want back?

Stalberg, Kruger, Bolland??

Olesz

Anybody want to take a guess at what Talon would want back?

Stalberg, Kruger, Bolland??

Olesz
- Lido_Shuffle

Olesz and Huet

Could Stephen Weiss be the center in question?

Seems to fit the criteria


http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=42450
- Anaarkey

Only problem is this is not a major financial issue. Weiss cap hit is 3.1mil. JJ says financial considerations are a part of why this may not go down till the deadline.

I'm thinking much bigger double the cap hit of Weiss, maybe more.

Olesz and Huet
- Anaarkey

Is Tallon still trying to build a cup contender in Chicago?

To reiterate JJ's post:

This transaction, if it happens, could wait until the deadline as it would be a fairly major move both on and off the ice (financially). And, although the other club made it known to the Hawks the player was available, the actual intent of the team is not completely clear at this point. But make no mistake, the player involved would improve the Hawks fairly dramatically, even strength and on at least one special team.

Weiss and Grabovski are no where near this statement. They are not financial hits nor would I consider them "game changers that make a dramatic impact".

Read on another website that per TSN the Leafs were offered a 2nd rd pick + prospect for Grabovski.
- SAVOIRFAIRE

Darren Dreger reported that about a month ago.

Here's a name no one has thrown out there...Tomas Plekanec...he plays the power play, is good defensively, good on draws, good on the PK, is committed, a great team guy, would ideally be a 2C but could be a 1C on some teams, has a substantial cap commitment beyond this season and for whatever reason, the Habs refuse to publicly admit that they're sellers.

Only problem is this is not a major financial issue. Weiss cap hit is 3.1mil. JJ says financial considerations are a part of why this may not go down till the deadline.

I'm thinking much bigger double the cap hit of Weiss, maybe more.
- scorerstouch

Weiss is really struggling, 2G 10A in his last 29 games. Meh.

Here's a name no one has thrown out there...Tomas Plekanec...he plays the power play, is good defensively, good on draws, good on the PK, is committed, a great team guy, would ideally be a 2C but could be a 1C on some teams, has a substantial cap commitment beyond this season and for whatever reason, the Habs refuse to publicly admit that they're sellers.
- andru2797

Plenty have thrown it out, all day long.

Plenty have thrown it out, all day long.
- Leerock

It's possible I missed it...if I did I apologize, but I mostly saw Stastny, Roy, Ribeiro and Grabovski.

Anyone mentioning Kopitar might as well throw out Crosby or Malkin...

Unbelievable....
- TrueGrit

I concur--didn't even know where to begin with some of this.

And Stamkos too.

Sure, he is on the market!

I read your earlier post about the Buff-Downie fight; is that you along the glass in the 'Hawks sweater?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaLuhyn5Dnc

K'mon Getzlaf really? I highly doubt ANA gives up their captain and #1 center unless we throw a major package. Not going to happen.
I could see Ribero, Stasny, Grabo, but not Getzlaf.
- Boisy12

Yep.

These other speculations--Richards, Getzlaf, no way.