Comments on: Cam Barker Traded

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:44:39 +0000

Shreuw, as you know, a professional athlete’s off-ice behavior is usually deemed acceptable within certain limits, as long as he is essential to the organization.

Versteeg doesn’t have the latitude Kane or Madden have.

By: shruew

shruew — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:01:59 +0000

So Kane and Madden should be traded as well because of the limo incident?
I do agree Steeg is trade bait. A team might give some value as he could develop into a great second line wing.
Much like Barker, Steegy takes too much cap for the role he plays on the Hawks.

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:42:17 +0000

Vito, you may be right about Versteeg being a candidate to be traded.

The recent ‘limo incident’ may have hurt his standing with the organization as it shows a lack of personal discipline.

Versteeg’s very talented but his contract definitely makes him vulnerable, and no goals in the last 14 games (except for the s/o winner vs. Dallas) doesn’t help his case.

He could be a movable asset in a trade for a depth or other veteran player.

By: vito

vito — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:07:38 +0000

i doubt they have enough space to keep this guy but thats if he fits in well with the team. versteeg is like katy perry hot and cold, trade him for a player that will not make dumb passes in the neutral zone in the playoffs when it really matters he’s got a lot of talent but chokes in the neutral zone when he has the puck whether its a pass or trying to beat 3 players

By: Al Cimaglia

Al Cimaglia — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:00:24 +0000

The next deal they may have to move someone off the roster……but Anaheim might be happy with a decent draft pick.

The sellers are in control….there aren’t many.
The Hawks found a partner who still has an eye on the playoffs.

By: Al Cimaglia

Al Cimaglia — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:51:24 +0000

The toughness issue hasn’t been addressed yet…but they are not done is my guess.

I think they still need another dman and they have room to acquire someone like Wisz or Exelby.

If they choose to ad toughness up front there are guys available.

What was accomplished is Barker has been replaced for similar money by a better defenseman.

Barker could develop into a nice power play sepcialist and maybe even a very good #4 but he wasn’t going to here.

The young kid is an interesting acquisition…more on that tomorrow.

By: Nick V

Nick V — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:47:40 +0000

Next to pack their bags, Versteeg….

Like the trade a lot. Hawks now have a true solid #5 D-man. While I like Barker a great deal, he just does not cut it as a #5 guy in Chi-Town.

By: shruew

shruew — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:30:49 +0000

“Enough” for what? Add in another ~$3MM I guess for the likes of a Versteeg or someone and you have room to play with.
Puts to rest the Nieds thoughts at least. Though, I guess they still have room for the Wiz…

By: vito

vito — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:25:41 +0000

good trade he’s swedish whats the chances of him pairing up with hammer? we still need a big hitter or two. this trade may be ok for barker too, he struggled with hawks

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:02:18 +0000

@shreuw> the Hawks still have enough cap room to add another player or players, before March 3rd. CapGeek projects that as being the equivalent of a $2.5 million annual contract.

By: djd

djd — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:48:30 +0000

Al,
I agree, a good trade but it doesn’t add any toughness, in fact the ‘hawks lost some there. Johnsson appears to be durable though.
Obviously, they’ll let Johnsson walk at season’s end. Good for Cam, he’ll get some minutes in Minnie.
There must be more to come because Shruew is correct—Kim costs more than Cam over the balance of the season, and KJ is not the final piece to be sure.

By: Al Cimaglia

Al Cimaglia — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:04:58 +0000

Shruew,

They probably aren’t done but it is a very good trade for Hawks.

They acquire a dman who was playing over 20 mins. a night….the kid is only a kid and if he turns out to be a top four player that was something Barker wasn’t on the Hawks.

By: shruew

shruew — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:58:23 +0000

Hmmm, less cap space for this year though for other trades. Leddy seems like a solid enough prospect, but still years away for obvious reasons.
Will have to wait a couple weeks to see if they make any other moves to really make sense of this one. It certainly doesn’t add depth.

By: jt19

jt19 — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:52:35 +0000

YES! Maybe keith and seabrook can now see normal minutes heading into the playoffs…