The NHL trade deadline came and went, and Hawk’s fans waited with much anticipation as to what Dale had up his sleeve. Leading up to the deadline, the talk was a center. Most likely a plan B, he Hawks get their center at the expense of “The Wiz”.

Anaheim traded C Samuel Pahlsson, D Logan Stephenson and a conditional pick in the 2009 Entry Draft to Chicago for D James Wisniewski and C Petri Kontiola.

As we look at the trade, the Hawks got what they were looking for. In Pahlsson, the get a solid faceof man with Cup experience. He is a strong checking center who skates well and can neutralize opponents.He can also kill penalties and plays an aggressive game. He could fit well, but don’t expect a goal scorer. he question may be who he will skate with. Once Sharp returns, what will Coach Q throw out there for lines.We may have to wait a few weeks to find out as Pahlsson has been out since Jan. 31st with mono and he is still a few weeks from returning.

Tallons comments on acquiring Sami:

“We addressed a need. We needed a shutdown centerman and a veteran guy who has won a Stanley Cup,” Tallon said on Wednesday. “We felt we had to address that so we could go deeper into the rest of the season and the playoffs. [Pahlsson's] the kind of player who has had success. He gives us that veteran presence up the middle. Winning breeds winning, and the more winners you have in your locker room, the better off you’ll be.”

As for Logan Stephenson, the reports are mixed. He is 23, skating in the AHL and still in the development stages. Most scouting reports have Logan as a career minor leaguer.

Tallons comments on Stephenson

“He’s a big, strong tough defenseman,” Tallon said. “Size and strength was a need we had in Rockford.”:

On the way out, we know what we are losing in Wisniewski. He was a gritty, tough defenseman that was a fan favorite. With that aside, the Hawks depth was on D and with the adition of Campbell as well as Walker and Aaron Johnson stepping up, James was slottes as a 5-6 D. Wiz was to be a restricted free agent at the end of this season and an opprotunity to go through arbitration. With the depth we have in young prospects on the blueline (Hjalmarsson, Lalonde, Hendry if he can return to last years form) and the return of Johnson, Wisniewski  may have only been around through the Hawks cup run.

As for Kontiola, it was appearant that he was not getting the opprotunity with the big club in this organization. He has put up good numbers for a few seasons and hasn’t gotten a look. As the HAwks were thin at center, they clerly thought that Petri was not the guy.

As every trade, time will tell who made out in this one. And remenber, “Nobody beats the Wiz”.

Anahiem Ducks (31-28-5) @ Chicago Blackhawks (35-17-9)

3 – 2 OT Win

The Anahiem Ducks make a stop at the UC for a Tuesday night matchup with the Hawks. As the Blackhawks try to improve their play at home and regain the dominance they established in their own building. But as of late, the numbers have not been good. The Ducks look to pick up a pair of valuable point as they sit in the 8th spot in a tight race. Only 6 points seperate the 6 spot Columbus and the 12 spot St. Louis Blues.

The Hawks took a quick lead off a Troy Brouwer goal just over a minute in. The second goal, could not have been drawn up better. Keith with a turnover, up ice to Havlat, give and go with Bolland back to Havlat. Havlat with a beautiful cross crease saucer pass, right on Ladd’s stick. Damn was that nice. So the Hawks jump out to an early 2-0 lead, then spend the next 48 minutes trying to solve Giguere.

The Duck’s first goal, just over 2 minutes into the 2nd, was all Huet. A bad decision to leave the crease got Huet caught out of the net. Open net, 2-1 Hawks. Just 2 miutes later, the Ducks tie it up with a sloppy little mess of a play. So just as quick as the Hawks take the lead, they lose it. Huet didn’t look sharp in the second, but gathered himself to finish strong. In general, the Hawks didn’t look good in the second, especially the first 5. The action was good in the 3rd and both goalies made some big saves at the end to keep their teams in it. The Hawks held the Ducks to 5 shots in the 3rd and had the upper hand in play.

Onto the OT and it was a brief one. Just 1:40 into the OT frame, Havlat scored a gritty goal with a tremendeous individual effort. Marty picked up the puck at the Hawk’s blueline, as he crosses into the Duck’s zone, Corey Perry was all over Havlat, who fought off the Perry and shot at the far post. Giguere really overplayed this, leaving the far side open. Great shot to finish the game and the Ducks in OT.

So the Hawks pick up 2 points and turn in a solid effort. Now we wait o see what the trade deadline brings us. The talk all season is the search for a centerman to shore up the faceoff circle as well as someone who can solidify play up the middle.

Positives:

× The Hawks came out with alot of energy and were quickly out to a 2-0 lead.

× Havlat, Bolland and Ladd continue to play some great hockey

× Havlat has a 9-game point streak

Negatives:

× After a 2-0 lead early in the game, the Hawks had a 5 minute stretch to start the 2nd where they just stopped skating, allowing Anahiem back into the game.

× Huet needs to tighten things up before the playoffs and eliminate the soft, stupid mistake goals.

× The power play was ineffective. It was good that they only got 2 PPs.

Game Notes:

× Jack Skille was reassigned to Rockford and Tim Brent was called up for tonight’s game.

MVB (Most Valuable Blackhawk):

× Martin Havlat – without question, player of the game, even before the final OT game winer. As mentioned, he has a 9-game point streak and has been exceptional. There is no way the Hawks can let this guy walk at the end of the season. It is ironic that the 2 players Hawks fans wanted to run out of town for the last few years have been two of the best performers all season.

Next Matchup:

March 7th, Chicago Blackhawks @ Boston Bruins

Record:

36-17-9 . . . 81 points

http://www.nhl.com/ice/boxscore.htm?id=2008020949