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Zawaski: Bowman Had Chances To Improve Blackhawks

Editor's Note: This column was written February 28, as the NHL Trade Deadline passed.

By Jay Zawaski-

As the hours, then the minutes before the NHL Trade Deadline ticked away, Hawks fans everywhere were getting more and more uneasy. "Would General Manager Stan Bowman make a move?" "The Hawks have so many holes...they need at least a defenseman and a center."

Well, with about an hour to go in the deadline, reports of a trade finally surfaced.  The Hawks had acquired Winnipeg defenseman Johnny Oduya.  "OK.  There's the D-man.  Now time for the center."

The center never came.

Initially, I found myself satisfied with Bowman's day.  The biggest need (defense) was filled, and while it would have been nice to have a center, no REAL #2 centers really moved at all.  Antoine Vermette went to Phoenix last week.  He's a decent enough #2 I suppose.  Paul Gaustad is a nice player, but not worth the 1st round pick Nashville gave up to get him.  If Derek Roy, a REAL #2 center, had been moved, then I would have been angry.

For the rest of this column from the Red Light District, click here.

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