Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Trade Deadline: 9:00AM

*-> The Columbus Blue Jackets are interested in adding a depth veteran defenseman to help insulate and insure their young back end today.  The added M.A Bergeron to help on the offensive side of things but on the defensive side they need help. Fedor Tyutin is a guy that has strong ties to Columbus and would come cheap for the Jackets.

*-> While on the subject of Colorado Rene Bourque has actually had mild interest leading up to today. Teams looking to not break the bank or spend  may want to take a look at the low risk Bourque who can play up the line up and has a history of getting hot in the playoffs. The Flames have been mentioned in rumors.

*-> No word yet if Brian Gionta is willing to waive his no trade clause to go to a contender or even if the Sabres are willing to move their captain.

*-> TSN is reporting that Florida was all in on Hansen before he was dealt yesterday so they could be a contender for Thomas Vanek or Radim Vrbata.

*-> The Calgary Flames would love to move Dennis Wideman today for anything possible but the interest is at an all time low and that's scary considering the incident last season.

Trade Deadline: 8:45AM

*-> The Pittsburgh Penguins still don't appear to be sold on moving Marc-Andre Fleury yet. They'd love to add another defenseman and another forward but the cap space is so tight. Clearing out Fleury would free up a ton of space and they eventually have to move them before the expansion draft but the sense is they'll keep him as insurance for a playoff run unless they get blown away. The Dallas Stars would love to add Fleury but the asking price might be too steep. Some are saying that a Sharp and Niemi swap for Fleury was proposed early on.

*-> The Edmonton Oilers most likely won't be making a major move TSN reports along with the news that the Oilers aren't actively shopping Jordan Eberle.

*-> The Flyers appear to be just willing to play the wait and see game in regards to making the playoffs so their pending free agents are willing to peddle any UFA's on their roster. Some Western teams have kicked tires on P.E Bellemare.

Trade Deadline: 8:30AM

*-> The New York Islanders are considered the front runners for Matt Duchene, they need to show John Tavares their serious in the next season otherwise they'll lose their franchise heart and soul.  The Islanders have a few defensive prospects but even more so they have some high end forward prospects they might be able to dangle to the Avs along with some picks.

*-> Alexei Emelin could be out the door in Montreal with two gritty defensemen brought in the past few days.  Montreal could use the cap relief from Emelin's heavy cap hit.

*-> The Chicago Blackhawks are looking at a small minor upfront addition. They don't appear to be looking at something major today but the Hawks are known to go all in if they see something that can add and is a fit. Patrick Sharp has been on their radar but the cap hit might not be swallowable.

*-> Doesn't look like Mark Streit is willing to waive his no trade clause for the Flyers. He'd like to stay in Philly but what happen's if the Flyers tell him that they wont be resigning him?

*-> The Tampa Bay Lightning might be willing to move Tyler Johnson for a defenseman today. The Hurricanes keep coming up every time a center is mentioned.

Coffee time be back soon...

Trade Deadline: 8:15AM

*-> TSN is reporting that up to 8 teams are kicking tires on Radim Vrbata of the Arizona Coyotes.  He appears to be a lock to go today. The Ottawa Senators are believed to have checked in.

*-> Speaking of the Ottawa Senators they seam keen to use Curtis Lazar to add some offense or to off set some of their picks lost this Deadline week.The asking price is a first but as of yesterday the rumor has only one team offering a 2nd so that's something to watch.

*-> The San Jose Sharks are looking at Ryan Miller. It's believed their on his 5 team list as well as Los Angeles and Anaheim.  The Kings have already added their depth goaltending and the Ducks appeared to be set till John Gibson went down. He could be an extra insurance move for the Ducks and competition for the Sharks to add an experienced goaltender. The sense is Miller would be willing to waive his no trade for a contender.

*-> The Ducks don't appear to be willing to move one of their young d men today for some help, it's a move they'd like to do at the draft in order to not lose one to Las Vegas. Carolina on the other hand is willing to move one of their many d-men as long as they can add a center in return. Is Matt Duchane the right fit?

*-> No word on Shane Doan yet, it appears that he would like to be moved but only to the right location. He's not willing to leave Arizona unless it's the right fit with a contender.  Despite the direction he feels Arizona is taking he still wouldn't mind retiring a Coyote.

Trade Deadline: 8:00AM

*-> The New York Islanders were pushing Jaroslav Halak pretty hard yesterday and were sitting on a few offers. It'll be interesting to see today if the interest keeps up and if Halak gets dealt.  The Bruins and the Oilers were two of the rumored teams but I wouldn't be surprised if the Flames took a look as well.

*-> The sense around the league is Montreal isn't done yet. Their carrying 8 defensemen and have still yet to address their major concern...their lack of offense.  This is their window and I wouldn't be surprised if they went all in after the acquisitions of Steve Ott, Jordie Benn and Brandon Davidson.  A cheap addition to the wing could potentially separate them from the rest in the Atlantic.

*-> Speaking of the Atlantic Division Florida needs to do something quick. the rest of the Atlantic division is stocking up and their on the outside looking in still. Dale Tallon isn't afraid to make a deadline move and has already stated he'd rather be adding than subtracting.

*-> Detroit will continue to sell today, Vanek doesn't appear to be keen to stay in Detroit next season and with him being the last UFA that brings him a return he's prime to be moved. Many are wondering if the Wings would be willing to move Gustav Nyqvist or Tomas Tatar for an inflated price to kick off a rebuild.

*-> With Winnipeg losing last night it doesn't look hopeful with them being 5 points out.  Will they move some bodies out and focus on next year or will they try to make an addition to help catch up.  They'd love to move the often injured Drew Stafford for anything they can get regardless. Ondrej Pavelec is another guy to keep an eye on. He's clearly out the door next season and many teams could use a decent backup.

*-> The St. Louis Blues after losing defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk need to do something to give the fans some hope. The budget doesn't call for anything major but any kind of addition would show their not ready to surrender their wildcard spot.

Top 10 Trade Targets 2017

The Top 10 Most Likely To Be Traded Today


1. Thomas Vanek - LW - Detroit
Vanek is probably Detroit's biggest asset, he's had a resurgence with a brilliant year and also has the best cap hit of the proven goal scorers on the market. He's also a UFA so can't see him not going today.

2. Radim Vrbata - RW - Arizona
Another cheap cap hit but the difference is between him and Vanek is Vrbata comes with a bonus laden contract to pay out at the end of the season for any team acquiring the Czech sniper. He's a UFA and with Arizona blowing it up he'll be dealt.

3. Jarome Iginla - RW - Colorado
Though the future Hall of Famer has slowed down drastically and may pretty much only be used in a checking role and net presence he still brings a big time leadership into any room needing a veteran presence. He's asked for one last shot at a cup and I can't see Sakic holding him back even if the return is tiny.

4. Kyle Quincey - D - New Jersey
Stable, reliable and cheap, what teams couldn't use a defenseman with those tags for playoff depth? We already know their working the phones for Quincey since he was held out of the game in Montreal on Monday night.

5. Patrick Sharp - LW/C - Dallas
A proven winner and one of the last few real marquee names out there on an expiring contract, He can play center if needed and special teams. He's a guy that could put a contender over the top this Spring but he wont come cheap.

6. P.A Parenteau - RW - New Jersey
The second Devil to make this list due to his in expensive price tag that expires at seasons end. He comes with a lot less fan fare and pedigree but it's no secret Parenteau can get hot and score.  Teams losing out may kick the tires on this start of the season waiver claim.

7. Jaroslav Halak - G - New York Islanders
The guy had a bad stretch with a bad contract and found himself in the minors with another year left on his deal.  He had a phenomenal World Cup which could be the reason he faltered during the regular season. We know the Isles have had offers and he'd be a guy that could easily take on a backup role.

8. Dmitri Kulikov - D - Buffalo
The Sabres have already made an insurance move yesterday bringing in minor league D help which could be a sign their ready to move on from Kulikov and Franson. Kulikov is the more desirable asset as he's has a higher potential. Who knows maybe away from a bottom feeder on a lower depth chart he might pay out as a rental  for a contender.

9. Jay McClement - C - Carolina
One of Carolina's last trade chips unless their going to do a strictly hockey deal for that center they've been looking for. He's a veteran presence on the 4th line and a key faceoff man. He's also expendable since he's expiring.

10. Jiri Hudler - LW - Dallas
Another offensive minded player on an expiring contract. Hudler appears to be slowing down but on a cheap tag and an expiring contract for a budget contender he could be a cheap pick up that doesn't put em over the cap.

**Notice I left the big fish of the list like Matt Duchane or Gabriel Landeskog as the Avs don't need to move them. They'd like to but they aren't stuck today moving them, they could easily wait till the draft, These guys are known guys that are being shopped and have realistic trade potential.

2017 Trade Deadline

We're officially back! No better time to reboot and start over again than the Trade Deadline. The most exciting day in hockey.  I'll be live all day starting at 7 am with minute by minute updates leading all the way until 5 pm today.

After a pre-deadline flurry yesterday I don't know exactly what to expect today. In the past few deadlines it's been extremely slow but mainly due to the leagues parity. This year and especially after last night the playoff potentials have thinned out a little more allowing teams to get off the fence. Another major factor is a really weak draft year with teams willing to sacrifice their picks. Many teams are also starting to realize that getting something back for an expiring contract is key to future success rather than lose them for nothing.

When I return I'll break down whose left to be potentially dealt and get the rumors under way. See you in 15.