Lets get defensive

Jack Johnson
Age: 22
Date of birth: January 13, 1987
Place of birth: Indianapolis, IN, USA
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 212
Shoots: L
Salary: $850,000
NHL Seasons: 3
Drafted by Carolina in 2005 (1/3).
Acquired in a trade with Carolina in 2006.

ASSETS: Possesses good size, excellent all-around instincts, physical prowess and offensive potential. Is never shy about laying on the body.
FLAWS: Needs to avoid putting himself out of position in order to land the big hit. May never reach the lofty offensive expectations placed upon him.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Skilled, physical top-pairing defenseman.

Last year's stats: 41 6 5 11 -18 46

Denis Grebshkov
Age: 25
Date of birth: October 11, 1983
Place of birth: Yaroslavl, USSR (now Russia)
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 209
Shoots: L
Salary: $1,500,000
NHL Seasons: 4

ASSETS: Is well rounded and intelligent. Isn't shy about laying on the body and displays untapped offensive potential. Can log plenty of ice time.
FLAWS: Must prove capable of hanging with power forwards in the pros. Must avoid trying to do too much.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Top six defenseman.

Stats: 72 7 32 39 12 38

Cam Barker
Age: 23
Date of birth: April 04, 1986
Place of birth: Winnipeg, Man., Canada
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 222
Shoots: L
Salary: $984,200
NHL Seasons: 4

ASSETS: Possesses a hard, accurate shot from the point, which is especially effective on the power play. Can play physical, which scouts also love.
FLAWS: Must improve his skating and defensive-zone coverage in order to become a complete blueliner. Needs more game-to-game consistency.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Top four defenseman.

Stas: 68 6 34 40 -6 65

Now I certainly don't see Howson hitting any of these players with an offer sheet but I could see some scenarios where perhaps they become available. Barker and Grebshkov play for teams pushing the cap... while Johnson may have just worn out his welcome in LA.

Speaking of Johnson...I also just read this from HFBoards:

Buccigross on my facebook page:

John Michael Buccigross For my puckhead friends..my nhl sources say the los angeles kings are shopping jack johnson hard as a result of signing Rob Scuderi today. Boston? Ottawa? Anaheim? stay tuned

I would be interested in any of these three if they were put on the table. A winger would at a minimum have to go in the other direction plus either a high pick or top 10 prospect and maybe more.

Its too bad they all shoot left though.

Anyhow..just some names to consider as Howson scours the market looking for a d-man.

UPDATE: How about this article about the 'hawks:

This is Hawks GM Dale Tallon talking Thursday afternoon: “We’re looking for the right guy, maybe on the back end. We have a lot of assets we can trade.”

This is how I believe the Hawks are going to find that big, physical defenseman they are lacking, via a trade, and Tallon came about as close as he could to confirming it.

Two things working heavily against a move with the 'hawks.

One they are a division rival and in very rare cases do you see big deals between two teams in the same division.

This author suggests they would like to move a forward to clear room for one of their younger lower priced kids. The Jackets of course would like to move a fowards as well. Still I would expect Howson to at least kick the tires on Barker as something has to give on that team. They also have Calder nominee Kris Versteeg to sign.

-LTL