As we near Trent Hunter's return to 100% health we have to think how this will affect the line-up we have been putting out there since his injury. If I had to take my guess I would have to say the only players you can scratch in favor of Hunter getting back on the ice would be Sim (My disapproval of his presence is well known , even though he has played well the last few) and possibly any of the three on the 4th line.

In my opinion I think i would rather have Jon Sim remain where he is instead of inserting Hunter. Even with his well known lack of skill his average speed and relentless pursuit of the puck actually seems to have inspired Bergie to put in that extra effort on his own forcheck leading to some open ice for one of our most skilled players Frans

 I definitely don't want them messing with the fourth line they have been developing some great chemistry and have developed into an extremely pesky forechecking line with some size and a little skill. They have been doing excedingly well at shutting down other teams top units as of late as well.

My conclusion is unless there is some type of injuries Hunter needs to receive the Tambellini/Schremp treatment and be forced to wait for this team to hit the skids and then only receive the smallest of opportunities to prove himself as an effective player with limited minutes. I was as big of a Hunter fan as anyone when he first came to the league and had that great rookie year but ever since then I have seen him digress as a player to the point where he is absolutely not a top 6 forward perhaps not even top 9. He has progressively gotten slower every year and it seems as if his puckhandling ability has only gotten worse as well so much so that id say his speed is well below league average and his hands are average at best. In today's NHL based on speed and skill, that's not how you build a winner. I know he hits as well, but there is a difference between playing the body and playing the body effectively and I don't see his hits really ever making a difference in the outcome of plays. I know this is blasphemy and will get ripped by a lot of you guys. But I calls em likes I sees em, and the best way I see Trent helping us out is in a deal for a skilled prospect or some draft picks.