Status: Buyers
The Story:
The Calgary Flames have had a turbulant season so far with many distractions. Mainly in the lockeroom, reports have suggested that stud defenseman Dion Phaneuf had the dressing room split after an altercation with coach Sutter. This lead to a major trade with the Toronto Maple Leaf's that really didn't make logical sense other than the Flames had to get rid of Phaneuf and fast. Most of the player aquired in the deal are ether RFAs or UFAs next season. However it was a major shakeup which the Flames needed. They also dealt Olli Jokinen to the Rangers in attempt to get rid of the rest of the cancer in the dressingroom. Another deal that left the hockey world puzzled as they too gave Jokinen for a lot less than they could have gotten else where. The deals have led the hockey world to believe something else must be coming. I too feel this way about the Flames as the deals dont add up when you look at the big picture. Right now Calgary is fighting for the last spot with serious threats from below.
Needs:
The Flames need help and quick, period. What they really need is another talented forward to anchor the second line instead of having a rag tag group of forwards aquired from Toronto and New York but they need to find a winger that will complement Jarome Iginla to reignite him while Rene Bourque is out. The Flames could also use a depth defenseman incase of injury. Miika Kiprusoff can carry the work load but if he ever goes down the post season is a right off so a cheap expierenced backup could come in handy.
Possible Trade Candidates:
RW - Ales Kotalik - Ales Kotalik was acquired in the Jokinen deal and it was rumored he was the one to stall the deal with his no trade clause. He still owns that no trade clause so it's very doubtful he'll accept another deal unless it was part of a deal with the player as rumored to be repackaged to somewhere else if he were to accept a deal to Calgary. Confusing but could be likely but I'm going to take a guess and say it would have happened already but still possible. Teams interested: Nashville.
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Colorado Avalanche
Status: Buyers (Very Minor)
The Story:
The Avs came into this season with low expectations, expectations so low many thought it would be another rebuilding year in Denver. Boy was everyone wrong as the Avalance got quick and unexpected development from many of their youngsters such as Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly, Brandon Yip and more. The team clicked and now they find themselves in a playoff spot as a favorite not an underdog anymore. This doesn't mean they'll be spenders however. I wouldn't expect a deal unless it doesn't comprise any of their young talent or their core and only involves players they've been trying to move.
Needs:
The way Colorado has been playing they really don't need much. They could use an experienced goaltender whos seen post season action incase the tandem of Peter Budaj and Craig Anderson stumble. They also would like a seasoned veteran forward to help their young core when the going gets rough. Any additional help would be welcome as long as its cheap and doesn't ruin team chemistry. Another top 6 guy and a gritty winger could put them over the top in the "wild" West.
Possible Trade Candidates:
RW -Marek Svatos - Svatos has the talent to be a 30 goal guy which the Colorado Avalance have seen in the past, key word being past. It might be he just needs a change of scenery to get going. He is a UFA next season an currently is a -11 and an only has 10 points so the Aves might use the deadline as a chance to move the struggling Slovak. His cap hit at 2.5 Mil$ combined with his incosistency should scare away many suitors but some teams that still have faith in the former sniper whose only 27 might take a risk. Teams Interested: Nashville, Phoenix, Boston and Tampa Bay.
D - John-Michael Liles - Another bust of sorts out of Colorado. Liles was Colorado's goto guy on the point for the past several seasons but mid last season the wheels fell off and has looked more like a 7th defenseman than anything. He struggles to get back to back starts and his cap of 4.1$mil this season then 4.4$ mil the next two is starting to look like a really awful signing by the Aves. He has shown talent in the past and once again a change of address might be needed to get him going again but it's doubtful any teams would take him and his contract off the Avalanches hands. Teams Interested: New York Isles, and New Jersey.
D - Ruslan Salei - Ruslan Salei has only aseen action in two games this year due to injury but has returned just in time for the Olympics with team Belarus. He's looked a bit rough the first few games but near the end of Belarus's run he started to look like a dependable d-man again. He is Unrestricted at the end of this season and the Avalanche have looked really good with out him so they may decide to shop him to clear some salary and get a little something back. Teams Interested: Washington, Montreal and New Jersey.
D - Tom Priessing - Priessing was supposed to be Colorado's powerplay guy when they acquired him in a trade as they dealt Ryan Smyth, instead he looks to be a cap hit. With a salary of 2.7$mil for another year it's going to be hard to move the once powerplay qaurterback to a new destination. If placed on re-entry it might be a totally different story. Teams Interested: Ottawa, and Boston.
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Edmonton Oilers
Status: Sellers (Firesale)
The Story:The Oilers are clearly ready to tear down shop and rebuild this offseason...properly. The Oil had a major setback to their season hopes with an early season ending injury to goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin and followed up by a season ending injury to sniper Ales Hemsky. The rookies Andrew Cogliano and Sam Gagner couldn't follow up to previous seasons and the lack of offensive depth on the farm led to a quick downward spiral. The only plus side to the story is that Dustin Penner has finally started showing his potential and has been the Oilers best forward.
Needs :They clearly need offensive help but will be looking for any draft picks they can get or young players that can contribute. They also would like to shed any deadweight they can and possibly even pay other teams with cap space to take salary cap burdens off their hands. The Oilers have a good young core of defensemen already so look for forwards to be added and subtracted mainly. Also this season clearly proved that Devan Dubnyk and Jeff Deslauriers arn't goalies to build around so they may try to add a young goalie to backup Khabibulin.
C- Shawn Horcoff - Hes a -29 in +/- this season with an embarrassing 23 points so far for a 7mil a season player. While he hasn't been in the rumor mill really at all this season it could very well happen March 3rd. That is if teams get over the fact he's a huge cap hit and has struggled all season long. At 6.5 Mil$ next season its a huge gamble. The only way I see him going is if a team on the rebuild with lots of cap space gets a really really good deal on him and decides he's still got few years of 60pts in him. Very doubtful and a long shot, looks like the Oil have handcuffed themselves with that deal. Teams rumored: Any Takers?
C - Mike Comrie - He's a player that I think might attract some interest around the league. He's been hurt for most of the season and could be a cheap solution to a squad looking to bolster their offensive depth. He's still able to contribute and has a cheap price tag with no strings attached as he's a UFA next season. Teams rumored : Colorado, Minnesota, Nashville and Vancouver
C - Andrew Cogliano - Cogs as he's so often referred to, has been mentioned all season long. he even was a main part of the Dany Heatley offer that was accepted by the Ottawa Senators but denied by Dany Heatley's camp. The Oilers have been using him as a bargaining chip all season long. He still is young and could have a break out with a change of scenery. Teams rumored: Montreal, Atlanta and New York Rangers.
LW - Ethan Moreau - The captain of the struggling Oilers is almost certainly going to be shopped at the deadline to any team looking to add grit, heart and leadership. Moreau is ideal for any young team looking to move forward. The only downside is that he signed for the next season at 1.75$ Mil. Teams rumored: Toronto, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Washington, and Colorado.
D - Steve Staios - Another veteran Oiler who management will try and shop to a team looking for leadership and depth on the back end for a playoff push. Unlike Moreau not too many teams will come knocking on the door as Staios has a 2.8 mil$ cap hit this year then a 2.2 mil$ cap hit next year. It'll be hard to swallow but some teams will be able to handle the load. Teams rumored: New York Islanders, New Jersey, and Washington.
D - Sheldon Souray - Sheldon Souray would have been the biggest return for the Edmonton Oilers except for the fact he carries a no trade clause which hewon't waive unless it's to 1 of the 6 teams he has agreed to goto. We have learned that his intention is to stay close to his family who lives in California. The 6 teams are rumored to be Los Angeles, San Jose, Anaheim, New York, Dallas and Phoenix. Souray also has a hefty contract he bares as well at 5.5$mil this season and 4.5$mil the following 2. He also is coming off a wrist injury that has him out til mid March. Teams rumored: Los Angeles, New Jersey, Washington, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Philly and Vancouver.
D - Lubomir Vishnovsky - One of the best offensive defensemen thats possibly avaliable come March 3rd he too however has a massive contract hanging over his head at 7$mil a season before it declines 3 seasons later. The Oilers may chose to build around him as he's one of the few Oilers that still produces. Teams rumored: Ottawa, New York Islanders and Washington.
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Minnesota Wild
Status: Sellers (Minor)
The Story:
The Wild are still technically in the playoff hunt with only 5 points out but it's hard to make a major push when they look at the teams above them pushing to make the playoffs in Dallas, Anaheim and Detroit. I personally think they'll only make moves that wont hurt their future and also wont hurt any kind of playoff drive. I highly doubt they'll get involved in any kind of arms race as they don't quite have the tools to really contend this spring.
Needs:
Minny will be looking to add offense to continue to break Minnesota's defensive style and start a new system to build upon. The Wild need forwards who can put the puck in the net to make it simple. They also need a 3 - 4 defenseman, an all round defenseman who can contribute as well. The Wild will also look to unload some UFA's and RFA's they don't plan to resign.
Possible Trade Candidates:
C - Andy Hilbert - The Wild have had Andy Hilbert down in the minors playing for Houston all season long and haven't had a real need for him this season. He's a UFA next season so the Wild may try their luck in finding a buyer interested. The key words here are luck and find as it's doubtful they'll get anyone biting. Teams interested: Pittsburgh
RW - Owen Nolan - The aging veteran is surely looking for a shot at the Stanley Cup to end his career with. Not much time is left for the rugged winger and he could be dealt at the deadline to a contender. He still can put up numbers plus he's a great dressing room leader. Teams Interested : Buffalo, Colorado, San Jose, Washington and Nashville.
LW - Derek Boogaard - Boogaard really isn't the most attractive seller at the deadline especially in the Eastern conference but to the Western teams in the playoffs he could come in handy. He is a UFa at seasons end so if the Wild can get anything for him it could be a good thing. He'll likely resign with the Wild as the fans love him but you never know. Teams interested: San Jose.
D - Marek Zidlicky - Management still would love to resign Zidlicky and currently have been meeting with him throughout the Olympic break to try and get a deal worked out. It's very doubtful at this point the Wild will trade him as their reported to be very very close. If he does hit the market theres a few teams keeping an eye open for him. Teams interested: Vancouver, Washington, Ottawa, Montreal and Philly.
D - Shane Hnidy - Another free agent defenseman that the Wild could opt to shop instead of retaining. Hnidy's style fits well with the Wild and is a good complement to their top 4 D but he is expendable and could bring in a late draft pick or longshot prospect if dealt. Teams Interested: Boston and Montreal.
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Vancouver Canucks
Status: Buyers
The Story:
The Vancouver Canucks have had high hopes for this season from day one. After Vancouver won the Winter Games bid expectations have been through the roof, not only for Team Canada but for the Canucks as well. The Canucks are looking good so far sitting in 3rd in the Western conference but the ultimate goal is the Cup which they have a good chance at, which would add to all the celebrations in Vancouver already.
Needs:
The Canucks need a checking line, their back half of forwards is brutal and is uncapable of shutting down opposing teams top lines and struggles against most teams 4th lines. A good checking can win you the cup as we all saw in Detroit and in Pittsburgh. Expect the Canucks to try and bolster up their checking lines as well as add an all round defenseman that can help out in case in injury which is sure to happen as their blueline's made of glass. Another impact forward also would not be out of the question, especially if Canada wins gold and the city is still high from the Olympic fever.
Possible Trade Candidates:
C - Kyle Wellwood - Kyle Wellwood had an above average season last year for himself and found himself with a home on the Vancouver Canucks but it appears after having a way below season struggling on the third line he'll have to find himself a new home. Not quite a checking center something the Canucks have longed for. He is a UFA so expect the Canucks to try for anything on March 1st that they can get back. Teams interested: New York Rangers.
LW - Matt Pettinger - Another one of Vancouvers many veteran players stationed down in Manitoba toiling away for the Moose. Pettinger could be attractive for teams looking for a checking winger for dirt cheap. Teams Interested: Phoenix.
D - Mathieu Schnieder - The aging veteran doesn't want to give up his NHL hopes yet. Schnieder who started the season off slow with multiple injuries struggled to find a spot on the Vancouver blue line. Starting to show his age the Canucks waived him and demoted him to Manitoba where he contemplated retirement before deciding he'd try one last time to make it back to the big leagues. Schnieder could be attractive to a team strictly looking for a powerplay quarterback and some veteran leadership. His 1.5$Mil for this season isn't too bad but for most tight spending teams it could scare them away. The good news however is Vancouver is willing to place him on re-entry waivers just to get him off the books. Teams interested: Boston, Ottawa, Montreal, and Buffalo.
D - Lawrence Nycholat - Lawrence Nycholats career has been a bus ride from one AHL city to an NHL city back to the AHL over and over again. He struggles to find a steady job and only seams to fit in anywhere as an emergency sub. The Canucks will push to get anything for him but it is doubtfull he'll be moved. Teams Interested: Your guess?
RW - Pavol Demitra - A lot of people expected big things out of Demitra when he signed with Vancouver but his injury rap sheet is longer than his statistical one. He is a UFA next season and he's aging fast these days. Although he has being playing extremely well for his country Slovakia at the Olympic games. His value is at it's highest this season and now could be the chance to get something instead of nothing July 1st. Teams Interested: Nashville.
G - Cory Schnieder - Schnieder is panning out to be a number one goalie in the future, just not in Vancouver's future with Roberto Loungo signed for the rest of his career. He'll get backup duty at most but it's more than likely he'll be dangled at the deadline to teams looking for goaltending help. Although Andrew Raycroft is a UFA next season so that might mean they'll hold onto Schnieder till free agency and see whose left out there. Teams Interested: New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Detroit, St. Louis, and Columbus.
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