Hawk Shots: Blackhawks and Penguins Discussing Blockbuster Trade?

Blackhawks and Penguins Talking Trade?

It was reported on ESPN 1000 in Chicago that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks are discussing a trade that would send forward Martin Havlat to Pittsburgh for center Jordan Staal.

There had been discussions last week that the Blackhawks were trying to get an extension done with Havlat but there has not been any news of progress in those talks. 

This trade is interesting in that it might solve problems that both teams have in their top six forwards. The Blackhawks are not content with their current center situation that has Kris Versteeg, normally a wing, playing the second line center position and having no center (besides Jonathan Toews) that is good in the face off dot.

Staal would provide the Blackhawks with that second line center that they desperately need, not from a points perspective, but from a face off and defensive perspective.

Staal is a natural center unlike Versteeg and would be a much needed improvement in the face off circle as he boasts a 47.6 face off percentage, more than four percent more than Versteeg and Bolland. 

The Penguins are in need of a top six winger who can play with Sidney Crosby, who has been paired with the likes of Mirosav Satan and Ruslan Fedetenko. I think Martin Havlat would be a perfect fit for Crosby as he is a play-maker with soft hands and a great scoring touch.

Could Martin Havlat be this year's Marian Hossa for the Penguins? No but Havlat is a high-skill player and he could provide a similar spark to the Penguins first line that Hossa provided.

In my mind this trade just won't happen, Staal just signed an extension earlier this season and Havlat will be a free agent at the end of the season. It could make sense if Havlat agrees to an extension with the Penguins but then we get into the "what ifs".

It could be beneficial for both teams and as a Blackhawks fan I would really love it but do I think it will happen? I really don't think so.

Wisniewski and Byfuglien Scratched Versus Thrashers

Defensemen James Wisniewski and forward Dustin Byfuglien were both healthy scratches for the game against the Atlanta Thrashers. Both players were likely scratched for very different reason.

Wisniewski has been playing very well since returning from his ACL injury but it is likely that he needs some time to rest and with Coach Quenneville sitting Wiz tonight he has had almost a week off. 

Byfuglien on the other hand is another story. Big Buff has not played well as of late having been held scoreless in his last eight and has not scored a goal since Jan. 11. 

He needs to clear his head and do what he does best, play physical and with an edge. Byfuglien could take a page out of Jonathan Toews or Adam Burish's book and play in front of the net looking for rebound and screening the goalie. 

Road Trip Continues

The Chicago Blackhawks will travel to St. Louis to take on the St. Louis Blues on Friday and try to make this a highly successful road trip. The Blackhawks have struggled this season versus the Blue going 1-1-2 in their first four matchups.

Nikolai Khabibulin has stood out in the last few games that he has started and might have played himself into the starting goal-tender position over Cristobal Huet.

Khabibulin stood tall against the Thrashers on Wednesday night by stopping 36 shots and gaining the No. 1 star of the game, making his case clear to be the starting goaltender.