NHL Trade Winds Blowing?
Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League
Dec 2, 10:17 AM | Hype this story!
As we enter the third month of the season, teams are settling in and finding out who fits in and who doesn’t, and while mid-season trades aren’t as common as they have been in the past, there are a few teams who might be ready to pull the trigger.
UPDATE: 12/2 at 9:15 a.m.
The Metro is reporting that “the Oilers are poised to complete a significant trade and/or fire coach Craig MacTavish, likely this week.”
There is no word yet on who might be involved in a potential “significant” trade, but high priced defenseman Sheldon Souray likely can be ruled out, as he has a no-trade clause and has been rumored unwilling to waive it for a destination other than California, where he has family.
With Randy Jones set to return from injury, the Flyers could be forced into shedding salary, according to the Toronto Sun. Some possibilities include demotions — though the most likely, Lasse Kukkonen, will only save the team $875,000 — and a trade, though the players with value are those who help the team.
The report suggests such a trade could involve Jones, Mike Knuble, Scottie Upshall, or Joffrey Lupul.
My take: The Flyers got themselves into this mess and it appears to be one that will haunt them for a few years, at least. If they look to trade any of the above players, there will be plenty of interest, but the returns, obviously, would have to be minor league prospects and/or draft picks. Not exactly the return a team looking to climb the standings should be looking for mid-season.
At the press conference announcing Brian Burke’s hiring as the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke announced that he plans to make his mark on the team, using the model that led the Anaheim Ducks to a Stanley Cup several years back.
Not surprisingly, trades are imminent, though Burke says he won’t make trades after December 9 out of respect for players during the holiday season.
My take: Burke is known for liking North American players who are big and physical. Guys like Nik Antropov and Alexei Ponikarovsky could be his most enticing and logical trade bait.
After years of dominance, the one-lined team known as the Ottawa Senators have fallen….far. They have the second fewest points in the NHL and need a change quickly.
Unfortunately for the Senators, they don’t have many valuable trading chips other than their big three: Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley, and Jason Spezza.
My take: It’s only time before general manager Bryan Murray makes a bold move, or his superiors might well make a bold move and fire him.
Moving On
Some struggling teams who may look to make moves ahead of the trade deadline:
- Atlanta
- Tampa Bay
- NY Islanders
- St. Louis
- Colorado
- Edmonton
- Dallas
There also are a bunch of teams potentially looking to deal big-name players:
- Atlanta, Ilya Kovalchuk
- Minnesota, Marian Gaborik
- Buffalo, Max Afinogenov
- Edmonton, Sheldon Souray
- Florida, Jay Bouwmeester
- Chicago, Nikolai Khabibulin, Martin Havlat
My take: At this point, the playoff teams are beginning to separate themselves from the non-playoff teams, making it more obvious who the buyers and sellers will be, though there are plenty of “gray area” teams who don’t yet fit either category. Regardless, don’t look for many blockbuster trades until the trade deadline or just before (for salary cap purposes), but as we have seen over the past few weeks, a few smaller trades should be expected as we get closer to the new year.
Comments
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 1, 02:10 PM
Just a little more fuel to add to the Flyers fire:
Per Tim Panaccio of HockeyBuzz:
“I really hope that the Flyers don’t just jettison Mike Knuble outahere come December or January when they try to figure out their salary cap puzzle when first, Randy Jones, then Ryan Parent, return. Knuble’s salary would almost clear space for both those players, who total $3.6+ million.”
So, Knuble, who is a valued veteran presence on a very young team, could be the prime trade bait due to his salary, though others certainly would be better options based on what is brought to the table. The Flyers are between a rock and a hard place, yet some are STILL mentioning them as suitors for not only Brendan Shanahan, but also Mats Sundin.
KG
Dec 1, 02:36 PM
This is when the teams really start to kick the tires. The standings should begin to start separating a little bit between the contenders and the pretenders…
There will be the usual mass of deals by the deadline…
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 1, 02:50 PM
I tell you what, KG, I know you think the Pens will seek a few veterans as the deadline approaches, and with the need for a power forward, I would love to see them look at Knuble. The odds of a Pens/Flyers trade are slim to none, but he is just what the Penguins need.
TheOneandOnlySurge
Dec 1, 03:01 PM
A Flyer in Pittsburgh, would nev…..wait Recchi, Lecalir….never mind.
KG
Dec 1, 03:13 PM
Matt,
I think the non-contenders will sell off their more expensive players for the best package.
A few names I would think the Pens would have interest in:
Hejduk (1 year left on his contract)
Slava Kozlov (2 years left, but still produces).
Tkachuk UFA
Guerin UFA
Cole UFA
Stillman (2 years left, probably no interest)
Afinogenov UFA
There will be a lot of movement again…
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 1, 03:42 PM
Surge, I definitely don’t see an issue with bringing in former Flyers players — heck, Fedotenko and Eaton previously wore the black and orange. I do, however, see a barrier preventing a trade between the clubs, as I just can’t see either side willing to potentially provide aid for the other. And, to be honest, I can’t see either side being will to risk facing a recently-traded, angry player on numerous occasions. Essentially, there’s just too many ways it could backfire for both teams.
KG, Hejduk, Kozlov and Cole interest me the most, with Guerin and Tkachuk interesting me the least. The Penguins are a tight-knit group, and I’ve heard too many stories of poor attitudes from Guerin and Tkachuk. Such character issues really can put a chink in a team’s armor. Doug Weight and and Nik Antropov are two other players who might be worth looking at if the price is right.
Brandon
Dec 1, 04:46 PM
The prospect of Afinogenov coming to Pittsburgh sparks my intrest a little. The guy has the speed and the skill, like most Russian players, but it seems he has that lazy work ethic to go along. However the idea of him and Sid blazing down the ice together at MACH 1 is fun to toy around with.
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 1, 05:27 PM
My biggest concern with him is his unwillingness to go into high traffic areas and work for his goals. He is afraid of getting hit, an attribute this team needs to distance itself from. On the surface, he is a great fit, but deeper down, he’s probably no better than, say Sykora.
DaBich
Dec 1, 07:52 PM
Hedjuk…interesting…on a line with Sid…could work well.
KG
Dec 2, 10:23 AM
Regarding the Oilers. I happened to see Al Strachan on the hot stove report. He said that MacTavish is adored by Lowe and would be shocked if he gets fired…
I don’t know enough about their situation. But looking at the team on paper. They are very young, decent talent…They are not a contender or anything imo…
They will probably make a deal…Visnovsky?
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 2, 10:40 AM
Visnovksy and Cole seem most likely. Visnovsky makes $5.6 million, which could make him quite difficult to trade at this time of the season.
Cole, on the other hand, might be much more attractive to teams, despite his $4 million cap hit. He’s due to be a UFA at season’s end and his status as a power forward makes him a rather valuable commodity, despite his relatively slow start tot he season.
KG
Dec 2, 10:49 AM
Cole will be moved. I’m sure he doesn’t want to be in Edmonton either. Hear that a lot these days…
Pens could make the money work…Eaton, Dupuis, Pesonen are all movable players imo…
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 2, 10:56 AM
I would add Fedotenko to that list. I don’t predict that the Pens will look for such a trade, but I wouldn’t be surprised by it, either.
KG
Dec 2, 11:01 AM
Any news on Shanahan? I see him staying in the East and signing with a contender. There are only a few teams that fit that bill (hint)...
He fits in:
Pittsburgh
Boston
New Jersey
Philly
Montreal (I guess)
It would be good to get him signed already somewhere…
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 2, 12:04 PM
Well, Boston is doing so well without him, I can’t see them wanting him. Philly doesn’t have the cap space to afford the return of their two injured defensemen, let alone a free agency signing. The other three may be options, but the longer this plays out, the more I wonder if anyone will sign him. This is an aging player who hasn’t played since last spring. At some point, the rust is going to become permanent, and his contributions will be minimal.
KG
Dec 2, 12:52 PM
Matt,
I would also put Martin St. Louis on the radar to get moved. Tampa is going to be in rebuild move very soon…
St. Louis only makes $4MM next year and $4MM the following year. He would great on Sid’s wing…
Tampa is always looking for defensman…It’s a possible fit…
THEONEANDONLYSURGE
Dec 2, 01:56 PM
St. Louis is a very skilled player but his small size is a major turn off. The Pens need a big power forward back. I would also have to think the Pens won’t move Pesonen, at least not yet. If he doesn’t make it to the NHL this year, he will most likely make this team next year and come at a real cheap cost.
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 2, 02:14 PM
I tend to agree with Surge. The Penguins need size and grit, so the only way I’d make a deal for St. Louis was if he was to replace Satan and it was an even swap. Other than that, there’s really no reason to get smaller.
Greg
Dec 3, 10:29 AM
How about looking at other players that can be here and help long term as well as short term. I think personally Steve Sullivan would look great next to Crosby or Malkin. He makes 3 mil a year though, so salary would have to be cleared out. plus with Nashville playing well, I don’t know if they would trade him.
Ultimately, the Pens are doing great they way they are playing now. Why are we panicking? Are we that spoiled with hockey in Pittsburgh already? Its almost like the Steelers fans calling after the game Sunday at NE to put in Leftwich
Matt Bodenschatz
Dec 3, 12:08 PM
Greg, make no mistake about it, there is zero panic from this guy. In fact, I’m kind of confused as to why people are worried in the least, even with a struggling power play. With that being said, no team is perfect, and there’s always room for improvement. If an unimpressive/unproductive player can be replaced with someone who projects to make the team even better, the option should be considered.
Shero has no need to seek trades, but if something falls into his lap, he needs to examine it.
Commenting is closed for this article.