Ansar Khan reports that the Wings are only likely to be in the running for a “second-tier” player at the deadline, given the ridiculously high price at which the Thrashers bought Keith Tkachuk yesterday. It’s hard to disagree, especially as that seemed to be a foregone conclusion as far back as the Stars’ acquisition of Ladislav Nagy. Like Khan, I think it is very unlikely the Wings will be able to swing a deal for Bill Guerin or any other top choice without putting a serious dent in their plans for the future.

I’ve never really bought in to the hysterical rhetoric that the Wings need a top-six forward or else they’re doomed, because, for the most part, I’ve been impressed with the team as it is. I believe such a forward, if attainable at a reasonable price and if he fits in the system, could be useful and helpful, but I hesitate to say that such an acquisition is imperative.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a widespread sentiment in Hockeytown fan circles that Ken Holland needs to go after someone to jump-start the stagnant second line. Why is that? No one was saying such things a few months ago when the second line was tearing it up and the first line was relatively dormant. The Wings have a possible solution on their roster and that is to promote Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula to Robert Lang’s line and to demote Jason Williams to the fourth line with Josh Langfeld and Matt Ellis. Give the kids the kind of ice time they’ve earned and maybe then we’d see the second line start producing.

Even without that mixing of the lines, the second unit’s trouble is not from a lack of talent. It’s called a slump, folks. These things happen and there’s no reason to panic in February about it.

As far as a trade goes, it’s time to give up the idea of the Wings making a big acquisition. Ken Holland may be throwing up a smoke screen on his intentions, but it is clear that he is not going to sell the farm for success now. I believe the team wants to win the Cup this year, of course, but they also want to be in a position to win it down the road. I would not be surprised if they acquired a lesser-known player in the hopes that they turn into a Mikael Samuelsson or a Dan Cleary – i.e. a scorer nurtured by the team’s system.

Holland is not known for making big-name acquisitions at the deadline, but the three names that stick out, Chris Chelios, Mathieu Schneider, and Robert Lang, did not, with the exception of Schneider, cost the team much in terms of its future. A big name player this year will, however, and it is very likely that such a player, especially if you’re talking about Bill Guerin, will be a rental player only. You’ll notice that Chelios, Schneider and Lang are all still with the team. The Wings’ investment has paid off in each of their cases (though there is some argument on that with Lang) and with a rental this time around, they won’t get a fair trade-off without a Cup.

My point here is that I expect the Wings, if they’re able to make a move at all, they are less likely to trade for a big name player than they are to trade for a lesser-known, and thus less satisfactory to the majority of fans, player.

I was skeptical of it when it happened, but I’m now convinced that the Wings made their big push for the Cup when they signed Dominik Hasek over the summer. They are pinning their hopes on him and I actually believe they have a pretty good team surrounding him as it stands today. A defensive forward may actually suit their needs better as they go into the playoffs with a defensive emphasis. I do think they’ll go after a scorer, but don’t be surprised if it’s someone out of the blue and lacking top-tier credentials. I won’t be disappointed in any case, because, like I said above, I’m comfortable with the team the way it is, but I’m willing to admit an addition could be helpful.

Maybe a move that would harm chemistry, which is overall good, the second line’s slump notwithstanding, and disrupt this team’s greatest asset, its defensive prowess, would not be a good thing. One added player probably won’t make the team, but he could break it.

Overall, I’d be more surprised if the Wings get someone than if they don’t. And I’d be more angry if the Wings threw away top prospects for a rental than if they did nothing at all.