In a continuing attempt to upgrade the center position and their skill level, the Blackhawks acquired Patrick Sharp from the Philadelphia Flyers for Matt Ellison on Monday.
“[Sharp] has got really good wheels,” Hawks general manager Dale Tallon said. “He can skate, is really smart and can play both ways.”
The Hawks also received winger Eric Meloche, who is in the American Hockey League, and sent the Flyers a third-round pick in the 2006 draft.
Sharp, the Flyers’ third-round pick in the 2001 draft, was playing only 7 minutes 42 seconds a game on a wing this season. Despite the limited ice time, Sharp had five goals, eight points and was a plus-4.
Tallon sees Sharp moving into the No. 2 center slot on the Hawks, behind Mark Bell.
The Flyers are loaded at center with Peter Forsberg and Keith Primeau expected back soon from injuries, making Sharp available.
Tallon has said that any trade he makes will not be a Band-Aid and that he’ll be looking long term. The fact that Sharp turns only 24 on Dec. 27 was a plus. He has one year left on his contract and is making the NHL minimum $450,000, the same as Ellison.
“I know coach Yawney and a lot of their players, having played against them in the American League the last few years,” Sharp said in a statement released by the Hawks. “I’m really looking forward to walking into that locker room and playing with those guys.”
The trade was a difficult one for Yawney, who has played a large role in developing Ellison from a junior prospect into an NHL player. Yawney described the relationship he has with players such as Ellison, whom he coached in Norfolk, as almost “father-son.”
The Flyers had interest in Rene Bourque and Anton Babchuk before agreeing on Ellison, whom Tallon was “hoping not to give up.”
Ellison, who’ll turn 22 Thursday, had been moved to center recently and had three goals, nine points and was a minus-4 in 14:44 of ice time.
By next week, the Hawks could look very different. Monday, they recalled Babchuk, a defenseman, from Norfolk.
The Hawks needed a defenseman with Adrian Aucoin again nursing a groin injury and Todd Simpson out with a lacerated elbow that became infected.
Babchuk, the Hawks’ first selection with the 21st pick of the 2002 draft, hopes to duplicate the success of fellow rookie defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.
Yawney, who also coached Babchuk at Norfolk, said he has many of the same skills as Seabrook. “[Babchuk] has got to become an all-around defenseman,” Yawney said. “The physical side is not in his nature. He can play it, but it doesn’t come naturally to him. Moving the puck and playing good defense behind his blue line is what he’s going to have to do.”
Another player that Yawney is very familiar with, center Mikhail Yakubov, is expected to report to Norfolk this week and could join the Hawks on their next trip, which begins Sunday at Atlanta.
Tallon denied published reports that he has made other GMs aware that Tyler Arnason is available. Arnason’s play has improved recently with his move to wing from center on a line centered by Ellison.
Yawney said he wasn’t sure yet who he would put with Sharp, who will practice with the Hawks on Tuesday and be in the lineup Wednesday against the New York Rangers.
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The newest Blackhawks
The Blackhawks acquired two players from the Flyers on Monday in a trade for Matt Ellison and a third-round draft choice in 2006.
PATRICK SHARP
Pos: Center/right wing Ht./Wt.: 6 1/197
Born: 12/27/81 in Thunder Bay, Ontario
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YR, TEAM GP G A PT PM
’02-’03 Philadelphia 3 0 0 0 2
’03-’04 Philadelphia 41 5 2 7 55
’03-’04 Playoffs 12 1 0 1 2
’05 Philadelphia 22 5 3 8 10
TOTALS 66 10 5 15 67
ERIC MELOCHE
Pos: Right wing. Ht./Wt.: 5 10/201
Born: 5/1/76 in Montreal
YR, TEAM GP G A PT PM
’01-’02 Pittsburgh 23 0 1 1 8
’02-’03 Pittsburgh 13 5 1 6 4
’03-’04 Pittsburgh 25 3 7 10 20
NHL TOTALS 61 8 9 17 32
’05 Philadelphia (AHL) 10 1 2 3 16
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rfoltman@tribune.com
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