New Jersey Devils
Status: Buyers (Minor)
Story:
The New Jersey Devils are having a good season in the East mainly because of Martin Brodeur's consistent play. New Jersey is looking like the Devils of old except they now have a lot more firepower after making major headlines and a major deal when they acquired Ilya Kovalchuk something the Devil's had since their glory days..a forward who can score on demand. The impeccable offense combined with the New Jersey defense and a healthy, game stealing Brodeur could equal a potential cup run. The Devils know this could be there time and many of the Eastern Conference teams are worried if not scared of running into the Devil's in the first round.
Needs:
The Devils dont have many holes in their line up but the one that stands out is on defense. NJ would love to replace Johnny Oduya's hole left when he was dealt for Kovalchuk. right now the Devils are left with a rag tag defense and could use a guy skilled at both ends of the ice. New Jersey also has a serious problem if Marty goes down or struggles. Their back up Yann Danis is a 3rd string goalie at best. So a goalie is not out of the question but if they were to do both it would have to be a very cheap one. The Devils management has also said a scoring depth center would be nice so they wouldn't have to juggle their lines to put ether Rolston or Zubrus back at center. You can expect Lou isn't done yet, and another blueliner should follow as he believes his team can seriously challenge.
Potential Trade Candidates:
RW - Ilkka Pikkarainen - Another young prospect who was pissed of at his organization for the lack of ice time/chance he was getting with his current club and refused to head to the AHL. Pikkarainen end up taking off to where most players go when the NHL isn't an option, the KHL. He's currently playing for CSKA Moscow and still has a little value left. Teams Interested: None Yet.
D - Paul Martin - To list Paul Martin as a potential trade candidate is extremely hard as he's one of the Devil's few important defensemen. He is a UFA however and I mention him only because of the rumors I hear going around. I don't feel there's a chance he'll be moved as the Devils love him and he fits well. plus they cant afford to have to go out and shop for a 2nd D. Teams interested: Boston, Dallas and Florida.
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New York Islanders
Status: Sellers (Very Minor)
Story:
The New York Islanders have had a good season especially for Long Island standards. The rebuilding is almost over and John Tavares is almost ready for the keys to the city. The Isles are only 5 points out of 8th but the race is tight and feel they still aren't at the stage they need to make a major push. The rebuilding is just about over but it's still going to be a season or two with careful moves before their able to contender. The Islanders would love to add some contracted players at the deadline and some prospects to help speed things up. They have a few free agents they can try and peddle off to get the last pieces of the puzzle. Fans on the Island shouldn't be disappointed or worried as Wang will still try and stay competitive in case they have a shot at making the playoffs.
Needs:
The Islanders need to deal with their goalie situation. They have 3 guys who want to be their number one guy and all 3 know that the number one guy is Rick Dipietro. At the time everyone thought Garth Snow and Charles Wang were crazy, they still are but this move made sense as soon as the season began. Snow obviously knew that Dipietro was still ailing and added the goalies knowing he could deal them off at a later time. The tough choice will be to choose whose going between Roloson and Biron. The Islanders need 2 top 4 defenseman bad as they have an ugly looking corps at the backend. They could also use a legitimate left winger to player with Tavares. The Isles wont firesale or go on a buying spree. I expect they'll only make pitches for guys that will remain with them next season and fit into their plans for the future. Snow has plenty of cap space to work with so I wouldn't be shocked at all if they took other teams unwanted salaries for draft picks as the Leafs did.
Potential Trade Candidates:
LW - Jon Sim - Speedy Jon Sim's contract is up at the end of the season so he very well could be dealt this deadline to a team looking for a quick energy forward for their 3rd line. He won't bring in the gold but a mid draft pick could help with the right drafting. Teams Interested: Dallas, and Colorado.
RW - Richard Park - Richard Park could be a key playoff acquisition as he excels in a penalty killing checking role. He has an offense flair to him but cant be counted on for regular offense. The Islanders management love him and it would be tough for the Islanders to replace him but if a good offer surfaced they might let him go as hes a UFA. Teams Interested: Vancouver.
D - Brendan Witt - I will not lie I was pretty shocked when I learned the news of Brendan Witt's placement of waivers last month. Witt has all the tools for a playoff run. He's a good dressing room guy, he's physical, tough and a quality shut down defenseman. Still playing for Bridgeport of the AHL he most likely would be picked up for cheap as the Islanders would love to have him off the books. Teams Interested: Ottawa, Montreal, Philly, New Jersey, and Chicago.
D - Andy Sutton - Big Andy Sutton is a tough, gritty physical defenseman with a knack for shot blocking. A great shut down guy who has been all over the rumor mill. His size is a virtue and valuable to any team in the West. The Isalnders will be more inclined to move him as he's another UFA they most likely wont keep moving forward. Teams Interested: Boston, New Jersey, Nashville, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Washington.
G - Dwayne Roloson - The 1st half of the New York Islanders goalie trade tandem. Roloson has had the better of the two goalies and was the number one choice to move early season but it has been a consistent flip flop. Roloson is more seasoned and has been down that long road before. Suitable for a depth or even a starting role if needed. Roloson does have a 3mil$ contract that doesn't end til 2011 which may scare some suitors away. Most likely the better choice of goalie for teams with cap space. Teams Interested: Philly, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago and Dallas.
G - Martin Biron - and finally the second half of the New York Islanders goalie trade tandem. Biron is the way more affordable choice for any team looking for a little reassurance heading into the big dance. Biron is a capable starter but this season has only looked like a backup. He is unrestricted at the end of this season so that could help many teams looking to land a quality goalie. Teams Interested: Buffalo, Philly, Los Angeles, Dallas, Montreal, Chicago and New Jersey.
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New York Rangers
Status: Buyers (Very Minor)
Story:
The Rangers are with their backs tight against the cap and on the outside of the playoffs looking in. Their only a point out of 8th but have struggled to find consistency especially on their back end. In typical New York form the Rangers have a boat load of expensive contracts and have been under performing with exception to Marian Gaborik. The Blue Shirts have already traded some of their dead weight to Calgary for Oli Jokinen but he may not be enough for a long drive. The Rangers would love to dump some cap and bring in fresh legs so they can contend this spring or it may be another early exit or yet another missed post season.
Needs:
The Rangers need help and fast. Their team has struggled in most aspects of the game mainly defense. They have a good young defense for the future but at the moment they're struggling to stay a float defensively. Wade Redden and Michael Rozival the two who were expected to help the youngsters maintain balance have failed and New York is wishing they never touched Redden with a 10 foot pole. So I guess what I'm saying is the Rangers need a cheap low cost defensive defenseman. They recently addressed their need for a backup by claiming Alex Auld from the Dallas Stars. New York also needs someone to fill their roster on the right hand side as with Kotalik gone they have no-one. The Rangers will look to deal roster players for upgrades as they cant afford to go after anyone otherwise unless their real real cheap. The Rangers wont sell ether unless its driftwood.
Potential Trade Candidates:
LW - Donald Brashear - Enforcer Donald Brashear was waived several weeks ago to clear some valuable cap space for the Rangers. His game has gone south and this could be one of his last if not last season in the NHL. He still can provide a hit or too and scrap but his age shows and couldn't be a guy in your roster every night. Teams Interested: Nashville.
C - Brandon Dubinsky - Dubinsky is in an interesting situation in New York as the brass loves him and say they wont part with him but his name keeps coming up in all kinds of trade rumors this season. In almost every deal rumored Dubinsky was part of. Could just be rumors but when they keep coming they might have some truth to it. Teams Interested: Tampa Bay, Edmonton, New Jersey and Calgary.
C - Tyler Arnason - Disgruntled Tyler Arnason's career is slowly on the decline especially after refusing to report to the AHL and breaking his contract with the New York Rangers to head to Russia and play in the KHL for Dinamo Riga. He might be willing to return but most teams will stay away from him. Teams Interested: Nothing.
D - Wade Redden - When Wade Redden signed that massive contract to leave Ottawa for New York, Ottawa fans were livid but now it's them having the last laugh as Redden has been a huge bust. His lackluster play and massive salary should keep almost every team at bay. 8$mil is way too much to absorb for most teams and even his 6.5$mil salary next season isn't much better for a player who looks like a 5 to 6. Teams Interested: Tampa Bay.
G - Stephen Valiquette - Former backup Stephan Valiquette has been a longtime loyal Ranger but demoted after a poor start and now would have to clear re-entry waivers if recalled. The Rangers would easily part with him now but is value is ground level. Teams Interested: New Jersey.
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Philadelphia Flyers
Status: Buyers
Story:
The Philadelphia Flyers looked like a top contender in the Eastern Conference till Ray Emery went down with injury and their many high paid players struggled to find their game that earned them top dollars. Scott Hartnell couldn't find the scoring consistency he discovered last season while Daniel Briere and Simon Gagne have struggled to stay healthy. The Pronger era was supposed to be a turning point for the Flyers who often teased with success but never hit that second gear. Along with those issues Philly has had the same story for almost 20 years, the book of bad goaltending. Ray Emery was signed and it looked like thing were changing til his injury which he may or may not recover from before the deadline. Now still without a goalie and only a few points between them and 14th they're facing a familiar challenge. Find a goalie.
Needs:
If it wasn't clear enough in the paragraph above the Flyers need a legit starter. Ray Emery is a starter but they need insurance in case he does not return. Brian Boucher isn't a guy you want to lead you into the post season. Other than a goalie they'd like to add a quality defenseman capable of playing in every situation and a scoring forward. They'll have to come cheap as the Flyers are struggling to manage their cap space. The Flyers will look to dump some salaries so they can make a move.
Potential Trade Candidates:
LW - Riley Cote - Enforcer Riley Cote is an obvious choice to moce as he really has no value as a player except to fight. They already have Asham, Carcillo and Laperriere that can bang and scrap. clearing riley cote would clear a little cap space to bring in some help. Teams Interested: Phoenix.
C - Jeff Carter - Although he's their leading scorer Carter continues to be in all the rumors. Carter is a valuable center whoses not even close to his prime yet. The Flyers would only part with him in a major deal so it's highly doubtful. He has a heavy contract but is still young so teams wont be scared to try and pry him from Philly. Highly doubtful they'll part with him. Teams Interested: Phoenix, Nashville and Edmonton.
D - Ryan Parent - Defenseman Ryan Parent is the Flyers one prospect/young player on the roster that the Flyers are willing to shop to clear cap space and use as a bargaining chip. Parent is still young and still has potential to develop further. They'll only deal him if they can get a solid defenseman that can help now in return. Teams Interested: Dallas and Nashville.
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Pittsburgh Penguins
Status: Buyers (Minor)
Story:
The Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for a return to the Stanley Cup and look poised to do it again. The Penguins roster is virtually the same and Crosby is returning from the Olympics with even more confidence and swagger. He's expected to pick up right where he left off before the games. The question is will Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin do the same? The Pens currently sit in 4th and easily could over take New Jersey for the lead in the Atlantic Division with a win and could be poised this year to make it back to back.
Needs:
The Penguins believe it or not have a pretty well rounded roster. From the net to the front end the Pens have virtually no holes. Except for on the right hand side where they could use some help. They need a 2nd line right winger to help keep the offense flowing. Pittsburgh may also want to invest in a 3rd string goalie or back up in case that Marc-Andre Fluery goes down to injury as he has a history. Nothing too fancy just a body incase it happens to help Johnson shoulder the load. The Penguins are almost done moving after inquiring Jordan Leopold. The Penguins have some prospects and picks to spare and are willing to part with them to swing a deal.
Potential Trade Candidates:
D - Jay McKee - Big shot blocking Jay McKee was brought in to help relieve some stress from the top 4 defensemen but hasn't really fit well. McKee has some value as a playoff defenseman and has that physical ability that many teams look for going into the deadline. He's also a UFA this summer and the Pens may decide they can move on without him now that they have Leopold. Teams Interested: Ottawa, and Chicago.
D - Martin Skoula - Martin Skoula has been a servicable shut down defenseman for the Penguins and also is unrestricted just like his teamate Jay McKee. He will most likely attract more attention as he has a very modest salary and is affordable. The Penguins may use him as a 7th guy but somethings got to give if Pittsburgh wants to swing more deals. Teams Interested: New Jersey and Vancouver.
D - Sergei Gonchar - Sergei Gonchar is an absolute longshot as he makes the Penguins powerplay and offense from the point roll. The Penguins have denied shopping him and it has been revealed that the Penguins and him have had discussions and have decided to wait till after the season to continue talks. Many are saying it's ether him or Letang and Letang is younger. Its a long shot and I cant see any possible reason unless they acquired a better cheaper version or a mega deal. Don't look for this one to happen, the rumors are wrong. Teams Interested: Washington.
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