It's no secret the Chicago Blackhawks are up against the cap - in fact according to Cap-geek.com they have 57 million tied up in just 14 players. Something is going to have to give for the Cup champs.
There have been a lot of names tossed around and some speculation that Chicago may bury a guy like Huet and his 5.625 million dollar contact in the minors.
According to Chicago's Daily Herald one name Jackets fans should keep an eye on is center/winger Patrick Sharp.
Sharp is an interesting target. He actually reminds me of Antoinne Vermette as he can effectively play the wing and center.
He's just 28 years old and notched 25g 41 for 66 points last season (one shy or our captain who had just 67 points) - but that was with some high flying teammates. He had 44 and 62 points the previous seasons. He comes with a price tag of 4.1 million this year and 4.2 next before becoming a UFA.
Forecaster's take:
ASSETS: Has plenty of versatility and skill. Skates very well and has the hockey sense to play a top-six role at any forward position. Kills penalties with aplomb.
FLAWS: Tends to wear down over the course of the long season, so he could be better if he got stronger physically. Is better when playing a wing position than at center.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Versatile scoring forward.
One thing we need to prepare ourselves for is that Howson isn't going to find the ideal center for this team. Those guys aren't usually traded. Spezza may be as close to that as we could hope but that salary just will not work here -- not without Ottawa taking back some bad contracts of ours (ain't happening).
Sharp would certainly give this forward group some flexibility and punch. Between he, Brassard, Vermette and Pahlsson you now have some decent depth there. His 4.1 million contract is doable although Howson would have to move some salary the other direction to make it affordable.
Like every player there are some drawbacks.
1. Chicago is a division team and one would think Columbus would be a last option to move Sharp to.
2. Sharp is a late bloomer. Could he sustain he recent level of play in Columbus?
3. He's not a true 1st line center.
Again - Howson isn't going to find the perfect solution but Sharp is an interesting target definitely worth considering. The question now becomes what would it take?
A big part of the leverage Howson has is the 'hawks have to clear out some cap space. That is his biggest trading chip. On the flip side b/c they are so far up against the cap (even over it) they won't be able to take much if any salary back which means Howson would have to move some salary elsewhere.
This one is difficult to gauge the value on. If the 'hawks would take $$ back perhaps they'd be interested in Jan Hejda and his 2 million contract - if so, I'd make that move. Maybe a Marc Methot interests them? Perhaps sweeten the deal with a 4th round pick. If they absolutely will not take $$ back then I'd go as high at later 2nd round pick (55th overall).
I offer a d-man because we have an abundance of shutdown types and I'm anticipating Howson working a deal to bring in a top pairing guy with offensive skills. We can stand to loose one or two of our shutdown guys. Methot and Hejda would be attractive to other teams because they are effective at their roles and affordable contracts.
Maybe they bite or maybe they don't but certainly the Jackets have the assets to make this deal. Chicago has to be a willing dance partner.
Potential lineup with Sharp:
Nash - Sharp - Huselius
Umberger - Vermette - Voracek
Filatov - Brassard -Dorsett
Boll - Pahlsson - Clark
Murray
There is a lot of flexibility in that lineup with both Vermette and Sharp able to play the wing.
Things are certainly starting to heat up out there. I fully expect Howson to wheel and deal for a defensemen and/or center by the time the draft concludes June 26th.
Fire away - you interested in Sharp?
-LTL
