If the last few years have showed us anything, is that General Managers around the NHL like to acquire players before the big deadline. Here is a preview of the Western Conference, what has been done so far, and what might be done before the deadline.
In a playoff spot:
1) Nashville Predators – 89 points
The Predators have made the majority of moves over last Summer and the results are showing. They acquired Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli in a trade with the Leafs, which helps bolster one of the leagues most complete teams.
2) Anaheim Ducks – 85 points
The Ducks biggest weakness is their goaltending. Since Jonas Hiller left the job has been passed around between John Gibson and Frederik Andersen, both have yet to prove they can play well in the post-season. The acquisition of Jiri Sekac should be interesting, but he’s also a rookie being thrust to play on a line with All-Stars Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. They also picked up Tomas Fleischmann from the Panthers.
3) St. Louis Blues – 82 points
The Blues expect to stand pat at the deadline, with very few options.
4) Chicago Blackhawks – 79 points
The loss of Patrick Kane can’t be replaced and he will be out at least 8-10 weeks, which puts Chicago in a pinch come playoff time. They did add Kimmo Timonen, who has not played all year due to a blood clot. Should he regain his form from a few years ago, he should factor in for the Blackhawks.
5) Winnipeg Jets – 74 points
For the Jets it’s about pleasing a fan base that has supported this team through a lot of hard times. They have to give them at least two home playoff games! They started by acquiring Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford, then dealing for Jiri Tlusty. I expect them try and bring in another player, possibly Tyler Bozak.
6) Vancouver Canucks – 73 points
The Canucks are in trouble as a big reason for their success is out for the next 4-6 weeks. Ryan Miller has played phenomenal in his first year in Vancouver and it will be hard press to see Eddie Lack keep them in a tight playoff race. The Canucks have zero cap space, so don’t expect much from this western Canadian team.
7) Minnesota Wild- 71 points
The Wild have been riding a hot Devin Dubnyk as of late, but we are still a month away from the playoffs and a lot can change. The Wild could be looking to shore up their blue line with a body like Jan Hejda, to give them some more depth.
8) Los Angeles Kings -70 points
The Kings made a move in getting Andrej Sekera from Carolina, due to the uncertainty of Slava Voynov's return. The Kings would like to get rid of Mike Richards and his contract but with a lot of young pieces, they won’t affect their long-term to gain from something short-term.
On the bubble:
9) Calgary Flames – 70 points
The Flames have surprised everyone with their consistent play this season. They lost captain Mark Giordano for some time.
10) San Jose Sharks – 68 points
The Sharks won’t make any big trades between now and the deadline. Should they not make the playoffs or have an early out in the post-season, expect a total roster change next year.
See you next season:
11) Dallas Stars
The Stars are built around Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, so their best option now is trading UFA’s Eric Cole, Shawn Horcoff and Rich Peverley to help for next year.
12) Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche took a step back this year and Patrick Roy has been in the hot-seat. Their only UFA is Daniel Briere, who has shown he can help in the post-season. The most you’ll get for him though is a 3rd round pick at best.
13) Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes need to start adding draft picks. Look for Sam Gagner and Zbynek Michalek to be dealt.
14) Edmonton Oilers
Unsure of what to do, their only commodity to trade is Jeff Petry. It's unlikely that Nail Yakupov or Jordan Eberle will be be traded before the deadline.
(Standings as of Feb.28)
Saturday, February 28, 2015
NHL Eastern Conference Trade Deadline Preview
If the last few years have showed us anything, is that General Managers around the NHL like to acquire players before the big deadline. Here is a preview of the Eastern Conference; what has been done so far, and what teams might done before the deadline.
In a playoff spot:
1) Montreal Canadiens – 85 points
The Canadiens sit in 1st place in the East but they have some glaring holes. GM Marc Bergevin has addressed one of the holes by adding some size, trading Jiri Sekac to Anaheim in exchange for Devante Smith-Pelley. The Habs could still use another body, but Bergevin won't force his hand to make a deal. A guy like Curtin Glencross would fit well and provide some much needed firepower.
2) New York Islanders – 84 points
The Islanders are enjoying a tremendous season and that’s in large part to the two trades that happened prior to the season. Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy (who just signed a seven year $38.5 million dollars) have solidified the backend. Upfront they could use a veteran forward to help a long playoff run. Eric Cole could help some of these young guys along.
3) New York Rangers – 82 points
For the Rangers not much needs to be changed as they carry pretty much the same roster that led them to the Stanley Cup a year ago. They are just waiting for their leader Henrik Lundqvist to return from injury and play as good as he can.
4) Tampa Bay Lightning – 82 points
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a precarious position. While Steven Stamkos is arguably the best pure goal scorer in the game, the team relies heavily on goaltender Ben Bishop. They are right up against the cap, and the only deal they could possibly make is trading a player for another player.
5) Pittsburgh Penguins – 79 points
The Penguins are adding depth, which is crucial if they want to make a long playoff run. The defense is still suspect with Olli Matta out for the season, and Marc Andre-Fleury's recent history in the last few playoff rounds. GM Jim Rutherford has added quality pieces in forwards David Perron, Maxime Lapierre & Daniel Winnik.
6) Detroit Red Wings – 79 points
The Red Wings are always a sure bet to make the post-season under Head Coach Mike Babcock, and this year is no different. They have a lot of young pieces, so adding another veteran could increase the chances of how far they can go. What's even more exciting is that they have the salary cap to boot. Jeff Petry is an option, but they have also been linked to Patrick Sharp.
7) Washington Capitals – 76 points
The Capitals are still kicking themselves for dealing away Fillip Forsberg in exchange for Martin Erat at last year’s deadline, in what was surely a panic move. This year the Caps look like a more well rounded team under Barry Trotz. They have been linked to Curtis Glencross to help come in and add some veteran leadership.
8) Boston Bruins – 69 points
The Bruins are in trouble of not making the playoffs, which puts a lot of players and coaches on the hot-seat. GM Peter Chiarelli desperately wants Chris Stewart from Buffalo but would settle for Antoine Vermette.
On the bubble:
9) Florida Panthers – 65 points
The Panthers acquired a guy in Jaromir Jagr who has played in the NHL, longer then the team has existed in the league. They traded Sean Bergenheim to Minnesota and Tomas Fleischmann to Anaheim, but other than that, don’t expect any moves for this team that has a very bright future.
10) Philadelphia Flyers – 63 points
They recently dealt defenseman Kimmo Timonen to the Chicago Blackhawks, which signals the team is most likely going to miss the playoffs and try and retool.
11) Ottawa Senators - 62 points
Don’t look now but the Senators are on a roll behind rookie goalie Andrew Hammond. The Senators unlike many teams, have plenty of cap space. They were surprisingly linked to the Leafs and Clarkson, before he was dealt to Colombus, but another option from the Leafs could be Joffrey Lupul.
See you next season:
12) New Jersey Devils
Already dealt Jagr to the Panthers. Expect more roster cleansing.
13) Columbus Blue Jackets
Acquired David Clarkson from the Leafs in exchange for Nathan Horton.
14) Toronto Maple Leafs
In a matter of a few weeks Dave Nonis has dealt four players from his current roster: Cody Franson, Mike Santorelli, Daniel Winnik and David Clarkson. In return he picked up a 1st from Nashville, Olli Jokinen (who is expected to be dealt before the deadline), a 4th and a 2nd round pick from Pittsburgh. Now with the Clarkson deal, Nonis has just created a surplus in cap space.
15) Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina is in a rebuild and that is why a guy like Jordan Staal’s name is out there. So far, they’ve dealt Andrej Sekerea to the LA Kings for a 1st round pick and Jiri Tlusty to Winnipeg for two more picks.
16) Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres have to continue to deal guys on their team that they don’t feel are a part of the future. Gone are Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford and in are Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian. But with 3 UFA’s in Chris Stewart, Patrick Kaleta and Torrey Mitchell, GM Tim Murray should expect to get a few more picks sent his way.
(Standings as of Feb.28)
In a playoff spot:
1) Montreal Canadiens – 85 points
The Canadiens sit in 1st place in the East but they have some glaring holes. GM Marc Bergevin has addressed one of the holes by adding some size, trading Jiri Sekac to Anaheim in exchange for Devante Smith-Pelley. The Habs could still use another body, but Bergevin won't force his hand to make a deal. A guy like Curtin Glencross would fit well and provide some much needed firepower.
2) New York Islanders – 84 points
The Islanders are enjoying a tremendous season and that’s in large part to the two trades that happened prior to the season. Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy (who just signed a seven year $38.5 million dollars) have solidified the backend. Upfront they could use a veteran forward to help a long playoff run. Eric Cole could help some of these young guys along.
3) New York Rangers – 82 points
For the Rangers not much needs to be changed as they carry pretty much the same roster that led them to the Stanley Cup a year ago. They are just waiting for their leader Henrik Lundqvist to return from injury and play as good as he can.
4) Tampa Bay Lightning – 82 points
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a precarious position. While Steven Stamkos is arguably the best pure goal scorer in the game, the team relies heavily on goaltender Ben Bishop. They are right up against the cap, and the only deal they could possibly make is trading a player for another player.
5) Pittsburgh Penguins – 79 points
The Penguins are adding depth, which is crucial if they want to make a long playoff run. The defense is still suspect with Olli Matta out for the season, and Marc Andre-Fleury's recent history in the last few playoff rounds. GM Jim Rutherford has added quality pieces in forwards David Perron, Maxime Lapierre & Daniel Winnik.
6) Detroit Red Wings – 79 points
The Red Wings are always a sure bet to make the post-season under Head Coach Mike Babcock, and this year is no different. They have a lot of young pieces, so adding another veteran could increase the chances of how far they can go. What's even more exciting is that they have the salary cap to boot. Jeff Petry is an option, but they have also been linked to Patrick Sharp.
7) Washington Capitals – 76 points
The Capitals are still kicking themselves for dealing away Fillip Forsberg in exchange for Martin Erat at last year’s deadline, in what was surely a panic move. This year the Caps look like a more well rounded team under Barry Trotz. They have been linked to Curtis Glencross to help come in and add some veteran leadership.
8) Boston Bruins – 69 points
The Bruins are in trouble of not making the playoffs, which puts a lot of players and coaches on the hot-seat. GM Peter Chiarelli desperately wants Chris Stewart from Buffalo but would settle for Antoine Vermette.
On the bubble:
9) Florida Panthers – 65 points
The Panthers acquired a guy in Jaromir Jagr who has played in the NHL, longer then the team has existed in the league. They traded Sean Bergenheim to Minnesota and Tomas Fleischmann to Anaheim, but other than that, don’t expect any moves for this team that has a very bright future.
10) Philadelphia Flyers – 63 points
They recently dealt defenseman Kimmo Timonen to the Chicago Blackhawks, which signals the team is most likely going to miss the playoffs and try and retool.
11) Ottawa Senators - 62 points
Don’t look now but the Senators are on a roll behind rookie goalie Andrew Hammond. The Senators unlike many teams, have plenty of cap space. They were surprisingly linked to the Leafs and Clarkson, before he was dealt to Colombus, but another option from the Leafs could be Joffrey Lupul.
See you next season:
12) New Jersey Devils
Already dealt Jagr to the Panthers. Expect more roster cleansing.
13) Columbus Blue Jackets
Acquired David Clarkson from the Leafs in exchange for Nathan Horton.
14) Toronto Maple Leafs
In a matter of a few weeks Dave Nonis has dealt four players from his current roster: Cody Franson, Mike Santorelli, Daniel Winnik and David Clarkson. In return he picked up a 1st from Nashville, Olli Jokinen (who is expected to be dealt before the deadline), a 4th and a 2nd round pick from Pittsburgh. Now with the Clarkson deal, Nonis has just created a surplus in cap space.
15) Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina is in a rebuild and that is why a guy like Jordan Staal’s name is out there. So far, they’ve dealt Andrej Sekerea to the LA Kings for a 1st round pick and Jiri Tlusty to Winnipeg for two more picks.
16) Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres have to continue to deal guys on their team that they don’t feel are a part of the future. Gone are Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford and in are Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian. But with 3 UFA’s in Chris Stewart, Patrick Kaleta and Torrey Mitchell, GM Tim Murray should expect to get a few more picks sent his way.
(Standings as of Feb.28)
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