Well, Bobby Holik is on to us. I wrote a story for Wednesday about some of the Thrashers not named Marian Hossa involved in trade rumors, and Holik is on the top of that list. I asked him about the possibility of going to a contender, or even back to New Jersey who could be on the market for a veteran center.

He refused to even consider the possibility. “There’s nothing to think about,” he said. “It’s something you guys are cooking up in the backrooms of these arenas and putting out there. That’s all it is.”

So let’s see, what else can we cook up? Pascal Dupuis was saying after practice today that he kept hearing his name bounced around for three weeks last season, and nothing happened. Then the moment it got quiet, he was traded. So maybe, if we don’t talk about Marian Hossa for a couple of days, a deal will get done. Not that I want this whole ordeal finalized or anything.

You have to think Peter Forsberg removing himself from consideration only helps the market for Hossa. The Patrick Marleau injury probably means we can remove his name from consideration, but Waddell could turn his focus to a guy like Jonathan Cheechoo during talks with the Sharks. Yes, I know he’s struggling this season, but he’s only two seasons removed from a 56 goal season. Plus he’s only 27.

Interesting read by The Falconer, where he breaks down some of the younger players Hossa could net in a deal with interested teams. Of all the players he mentions, I think the most intriguing is Detroit’s Valtteri Filppula. It’s highly probable that any discussions with Detroit are centered around Filppula. He turns 24 in March and continues to get better in Detroit. He has 16 goals this season and is playing about 16-17 minutes a game for the Wings, mostly at center.

I still think a slight complication will be Hossa’s seemingly strong desire to go to free agency. If teams felt like they had a great chance of signing Hossa, they might be willing to pay more for him. But if you’re a team like, say, Dallas - why would you pay the big price Waddell is asking now for Hossa when you can just sign him in July? Oh yeah, you want to win this year. But some teams might rather show some patience and then make their pitch for Hoss this summer.

Speaking of Dupuis, he did say that Waddell has been in touch with his agent about staying with the Thrashers beyond this season. He’s scheduled to be a free agent on July 1. His top priority is a long-term deal that gives him and his family some stability. He’s married with two kids. “It’d like if it could be here,” he said. “But [a long-term contract] is what I’m looking for.”

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