Hawks need offense, badly.

I was watching the game today between the Hawks and the Blue Jackets, and even though they won 1-0 (against a struggling team) they are in desperate need of offense. If you look at their numbers, only 3 teams have scored less goals so far this year (including Philadelphia). However, we have to admit that they have been terribly unlucky this year with injuries to 3 key players in Handzus (gone for the year!), Havlat and Khabibulin. Before this string of bad luck, they seemed poised to battle for playoff position for the first time in a while and their downfall can simply not be pinned on poor management or coaching.


If we take a peak at their current lineup, we can observe a few things:

– Smolinski is not a shadow of what he was in Ottawa.

– Ruutu being back is a good thing, for how long?

– Their overall offensive core is VERY young and inexperienced. The likes of Bourque, Hamilton, Holmquist and Sharp can provide clutch scoring on occasion but it is very little to rely on to push for the playoffs.

– What the hell is Arkhipov doing there?

– Vrbata has no supporting cast.

All these points has something to do with the offence. Not only scoring wise but the defensive game of the forwards have been giving up an average of just over 3.5 goals per game. Their defense is also young but highly talented. This is the area where they can look in for trade bait.

Possible acquisitions:

– Craig Conroy. Veteran with good leadership and pretty good in all aspects of the game. Offense, defense, faceoffs, you name it. He isin’t doing very good in LA but a change of scenery could be all he needs for a boost.

– Glen Murray. The B’s are struggling and their defense has some underachievers including Stuart and Mara. They might be able to pry a Seabrook or a Barker for Murray.

– Martin St-Louis. If the Lightning find themselves in another skid, he will be targeted for trade. Chicago could afford to swap a high end pick/ prospect for St-Louis. (don’t forget St-Louis contract)

– Simon Gagne. Yes it is possible. If the Flyers go into complete rebuild phase, they can get a load of prospects and picks for him and the Hawks have no shortage of that. Could you imagine the difference it would make to Philly if they were to replace Rathje/Hatcher with Barker/Keith or even Vandermeer?

– Ladislav Nagy. This guy could be potential dynamite with Havlat. This would be a deadly 1-2 punch for their offense and it would definately help them win games. As to what would go Phoenix’s way, well no matter what, the Yotes need to shake things up but they are desperate for goaltending, so a 3 way trade would probably be necessary.

Trade bait?? Look no further than their current defensive lineup (excluding Aucoin) as well as their defensive prospects and draft picks. Provided that they don’t weaken their d by trading away to much of it, a good balance of picks and prospects/current d-men could put them in the right direction. A trade like this would be made for many good reasons such as helping their young forwards by mixing them with veterans to guide them, help out on the scoresheet and also bring an overall good atmosphere in their dressing room, something they’ve needed for a while.

So that’s my view of what’s wrong with the Hawks. I wanna hear from Hawk fans to see what they say or what they think this team needs to do to get things on the right track. Even though I’m a Habs fan, I’m tired of not seeing them in the playoffs.