John Jaeckel: More Details On Washington Rumor

First!!

Jeff Halpern doesn't really make you scream in excitement...........
And John Erskine? Boy he is really swinging for the fence here, I am underwhelmed !

Duplicate!! LOL

i like this rumor. that is all.

John Jaeckel: More Details On Washington Rumor
- John Jaeckel

Have always liked Erskine. But I'm thinking the Caps are thin on the blueline with Green and Poti gone and Hamrlik playing like a 50 year old. Unless they have kids in Hershey ready to make the jump?

First!!

Jeff Halpern doesn't really make you scream in excitement...........
- droe411

Disagree, he'd help this team a ton. A lot of teams would like to have him.

While these seem like Bowman moves - Erskine signed for another year after this at a reasonable cap hit and Halpern being a 4th line center who could kill penalties and take faceoffs.. I don't see the Caps trading these guys going into the stretch and playoffs.

Washington is struggling more than usual this year but they will be a playoff team.

I disagree with myself too...... Would help the depth at center. Still see no fix for the #2C position, unless they are buying time to throw Sharp there.

Disagree, he'd help this team a ton. A lot of teams would like to have him.
- John Jaeckel

Have always liked Erskine. But I'm thinking the Caps are thin on the blueline with Green and Poti gone and Hamrlik playing like a 50 year old. Unless they have kids in Hershey ready to make the jump?
- RickJ

Also, both are gritty players I can't see them getting rid of considering there reputation of being soft..

You guys need to watch Halpern and Erskine. These two would upgrade this team defensively. Halpern is a perfect third line winger for Bolland.

If you go into the playoffs with a checking line of Bolland, Halpern and Frolik? That's a good shutdown third line that could also provide some offense. Replacing Bickell with Halpern is a significant upgrade.

Erskine is a big, physical D-man. Perfect guy on that third pairing. Only 31.

I disagree with myself too...... Would help the depth at center. Still see no fix for the #2C position, unless they are buying time to throw Sharp there.
- droe411

The only two options I can think of for 2nd line center is Derrick Brassard, and theres not guarantee he can be that here.. Or Jussi Jokinen. He plays a lot of LW but can also play center.

I for one believe that when/if *fingers crossed* everyone is healthy going into the playoffs, Marcus Kruger is our #2 center.

You guys need to watch Halpern and Erskine. These two would upgrade this team defensively. Halpern is a perfect third line winger for Bolland.

If you go into the playoffs with a checking line of Bolland, Halpern and Frolik? That's a good shutdown third line that could also provide some offense. Replacing Bickell with Halpern is a significant upgrade.

Erskine is a big, physical D-man. Perfect guy on that third pairing. Only 31.
- golfbard

So why does a team that looks like a playoff team trade those 2 for prospects or Bryan Bickell?

The only two options I can think of for 2nd line center is Derrick Brassard, and theres not guarantee he can be that here.. Or Jussi Jokinen. He plays a lot of LW but can also play center.

I for one believe that when/if *fingers crossed* everyone is healthy going into the playoffs, Marcus Kruger is our #2 center.
- pri$ey

Agree.

The only two options I can think of for 2nd line center is Derrick Brassard, and theres not guarantee he can be that here.. Or Jussi Jokinen. He plays a lot of LW but can also play center.

I for one believe that when/if *fingers crossed* everyone is healthy going into the playoffs, Marcus Kruger is our #2 center.
- pri$ey

I don't see the Hawks doing much for #2 center unless something falls into their laps unbelievably cheap. They are going to run with who they have now that can play the position - Toews, Kruger, Bolland, Mayers, Shaw, Kane, Sharp, Hayes. Pirri.

Halpern will help take some of the load off the top six on the PK.

Interesting proposition...i'll take JJ's word that Halpern would be a good fit. Agree with Rick too on Erskine. He's ONE TOUGH HOMBRE and would clear the front of our net pretty good. One question about Big John though. He did play 73 games last year, but this year he's only played in 24 games and in prior years, he rarely played a full year. Anyone know if he has lingering concussion symptoms from all the scraps he's been in ? Or is he just a depth guy that plays sporadically ?

Love to have Big John though.

Upgrades or not - if any significant prospect is involved for either of these two players, I'd be unhappy.

Maybe I over-value guys like Morin, Smith, etc - but if the return is only a couple of low-level role guys, gritty and upgrade over Bickell or not, I don't quite understand the move. I don't see those two guys being the final pieces that win the 'Hawks a cup this year.

Have always liked Erskine. But I'm thinking the Caps are thin on the blueline with Green and Poti gone and Hamrlik playing like a 50 year old. Unless they have kids in Hershey ready to make the jump?
- RickJ

All I can add is that Schultz has been a healthy scratch recently...Myabe Green will be back sooner than thought??

Plus Erskine's mins have been reduced but he has had a bad shoulder.

Upgrades or not - if any significant prospect is involved for either of these two players, I'd be unhappy.

Maybe I over-value guys like Morin, Smith, etc - but if the return is only a couple of low-level role guys, gritty and upgrade over Bickell or not, I don't quite understand the move. I don't see those two guys being the final pieces that win the 'Hawks a cup this year.
- FredoXV

Agreed. 3rd or 4th round draft picks in a package with Bicks or some other stiff in the org. Nothing more.

So why does a team that looks like a playoff team trade those 2 for prospects or Bryan Bickell?
- pri$ey

They get a cheap, big young player in Bickell....

New coach there now and he has had a chance to look things over and give his input....The Caps have been coming around but will look to improve.

All I can add is that Schultz has been a healthy scratch recently...Myabe Green will be back sooner than thought??

Plus Erskine's mins have been reduced but he has had a bad shoulder.
- Al

Green is out for the forseeable future due to surgery for a Sports Hernia and/or recurring groin issue.

They do have depth at Hershey, and the really like Dimitry Orlov who they brought up recently.

John Jaeckel: More Details On Washington Rumor
- John Jaeckel

My only question...how big of an upgrade is Erskine over O'Donnell? Honestly, I'm not too sure it is a big enough one to trade away prospects for. Sure it would give us depth, but I rather get depth in a #4/5 guy not another #6 guy.

All I can add is that Schultz has been a healthy scratch recently...Myabe Green will be back sooner than thought??

Plus Erskine's mins have been reduced but he has had a bad shoulder.
- Al

Green is 4-6 weeks with sports hernia surgery. It could be longer than that, I'm sure. The Caps offence (especially Ovechkin and Semin) really misses that guy.

I would have thought Schultz was more likely than Erskine.

Green is out for the forseeable future due to surgery for a Sports Hernia and/or recurring groin issue.

They do have depth at Hershey, and the really like Dimitry Orlov who they brought up recently.
- hpk90

I heard he could be out 6 weeks, is it longer?...Do you know status after surgery, beyond foreseeable future?

Green is 4-6 weeks with sports hernia surgery. It could be longer than that, I'm sure. The Caps offence (especially Ovechkin and Semin) really misses that guy.

I would have thought Schultz was more likely than Erskine.
- RickJ

Schultz is the one rumors have been flowing on because he has been a scratch...They recently denied looking to deal him... it was reported.