No player is safe in the CCHL, even on their birthday. On his 32nd birthday, Phil Kessel has packed his bags and is boarding a flight to Chicago as he has been dealt by the Calgary Flames for Reilly Smith. Kessel and Smith both have recorded 10 goals and 9 assists in 26 games with their respective teams prior to the trade. The Hawks are hoping the move can jump start a team that are under performing since the start of the Season. Although the Hawks are sitting in 8th with 78 Goals For, they are dead last with 86 Goals Against. They had hoped that bringing in John Gibson would be the solution to this issue, but it hasn't proven effective to date. Since joining the club, Gibson has a 3.22GAA and a 0.888 SV%. Far cry from his Vezina Winning numbers. and veteran netminder, Brian Elliott, hasn't fared much better as he currently sits with a 3.35 GAA and a 0.890 SV%. The big club recently called up young star Pierre-Luc Dubois in hopes to spark the team, but was held off the scoresheet in his debut and never recorded a single shot. Kessel will line up on the wing with Draisaitl in hopes the trickle down affect with bolster some depth scoring as Guentzel has only recorded 4 goals in the last 16 outtings (3 of which came in a losing cause to the Flyers). Another key member and veteran presence, Jason Spezza, who has recorded 53, 55 & 46 points respectively in his first 3 seasons, has a dismal 7 points in 26 games thus far.
Even considering the horrible start to the season after 26 games, its still surprising to see that they are only 3 points back on a playoff position. The season isn't over yet for the Hawks, but if they soon don't turn things around, you will be seeing a seller at the Trade Deadline.