We are about two and a half weeks from the trade deadline, what to do. Can we catch the Predators? I think so. Do we need outside help to do so? Probably. Therein lies the issues facing the Hawks, both immediate, and longer term. The obvious fix, or improvement here would be obtaining a second line center via trade. Odds are some prospects in the lineup would have to be moved in order to do so. We have a strong group of guys in the pipeline at the center position (see prospects report shortly). Do we sacrifice some prospects to compete with a depleted Western Conference to catch a, I mean the Predators? The way I see it is this, we have won the last two Cups, we sit in 4th place in the West with the 2nd best point total in the NHL. We have guys coming thru the pipeline, so I'm leaning more towards standing pat with the guys right now, and see if they can get it done in the playoffs. Last year I thought we were a year or two away from being elite, and I think that prediction is right on, because I think if this group comes back mostly in tact next year then things could get scary good. Stay tuned for the prospects report, and any possible moves at the deadline. Thanks for following!