Faceoff Factor

Drafting And Dealing?

Matt Bodenschatz | NHL Entry Draft

Jun 22, 12:04 PM | Hype this story!

In the past, the NHL Entry Draft was a time generally focused on, well, drafting, but with the new collective bargaining agreement and, more specifically, the salary cap, the Entry Draft is becoming a second trade deadline, if you will.

Some teams will try to unload big contracts, others will shop players from a position of depth and few will try to trade draft picks.

So, in light of tonight’s “second trade deadline,” I thought I would put together a short list of players I am keeping an eye on.

Remember, I am not trying to start any rumors. My sole intention is to voice my opinions/predictions. I have no inside sources on the following players.

In no particular order…

Illya Bryzgalov, G, Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks yesterday re-signed starting goalie J.S. Giguere to a multi-year contract, making the young and talented Bryzgalov very good trade bait, as several teams are looking for goaltending help. Bryzgalov is a good enough goaltender to be a starter in the NHL, so look for several teams to be interested in acquiring him.

Manny Fernandez, G, Minessota Wild
Like the Ducks, the Wild recently locked up their starting goalie (Niklas Backstrom) and, thus, have no reason to keep their backup. Many journalists in-the-know have alluded to the fact that Fernandez likely will be dealt by the end of this evening.

Sergei Gonchar, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
General manager Ray Shero has said he hasn’t thought much about trades at this point, but I have to believe Gonchar is on his bad list after a disinterested playoff performance. With high-priced, oft-injured Adrian Aucoin being dealt yesterday, the value of a player like Gonchar rises slightly. I look for a few teams — notably the Edmonton Oilers and Washington Capitals — to show some interest.

Joffry Lupul, F, Edmonto Oilers
The young forward was the centerpiece of the Chris Pronger trade a year ago, but has not lived up to expectations in Edmonton. His subpar play has led to rumors he could be traded at any time. My gut feeling is that he will be used to bring in a blueliner.

Nikolai Zherdev, F, Columbus Blue Jackets
Zherdev, a head-case of sorts, has played himself out of favor in Columbus, and, as a result, could find himself sporting new colors as early as this evening. The young forward has unlimited talent, but a bad attitude may keep general managers at bay. None-the-less, someone will take a chance on him sometime soon.

There also are a slew of impending unrestricted free agents who may change hands before the weekend is over. Keep an eye on the following players:

• Ryan Smythe, F, New York Islanders
• Paul Kariya, F, Nashville Predators
• Scott Gomez, F, New Jersey Devils
• Brian Rafalski, D, New Jersey Devils
• Sheldon Souray, D, Montreal Canadiens

And remember, what you read above is just a compilation of my opinions. These are not to be taken as rumors. At Faceoff Factor we don’t spread rumors, we talk hockey.