Faceoff Factor

The Latest Round of Trade Rumors

Michael Farkas | Transactions & Rumors

Feb 7, 01:59 AM | Hype this story!

With less than last three weeks before the trade deadline, will sliding teams like the Islanders, Maple Leafs and Oilers become sellers? Are the resurgent Capitals, Canadiens and Flyers looking to be big buyers at the deadline? Let’s take a look at the latest trade rumors from around the league.

The Peter Forsberg Sweepstakes

Peter Forsberg’s time to make a return to the NHL is dwindling and so is the number of teams that he’s willing to play for.

The Peter Forsberg camp has rejected offers from the Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames.

The teams that have survived Forsberg’s first round of cuts: former clubs Philadelphia and Colorado, as well as the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks.

According to sources, the Flyers are prepared to offer a two-year, $4.6 million deal to Forsberg. There are also rumors of teams considering laying out longer term and higher valued contracts to the 34 year old Swedish forward.

Analysis: As I have stated previously, Forsberg is a roll of the dice. Very injury prone and isn’t likely to just take a one-year deal. Not to mention the “chemistry” issue, Foppa is a big risk, but has a huge upside if all goes according to plan.

Pokechecks:

The St. Louis Blues are falling out of the playoff picture fairly rapidly and are likely to move a defenseman soon. Impending UFAs Barrett Jackman and Bryce Salvador are the most likely to go, but Christian Backman and Jay McKee may also be on the market. The Blues have been trying to move a d-man all year because they feel Steve Wagner can be a full-time NHL defenseman at this point.

Analysis: Jackman really hasn’t been the same player in the past two seasons due to various injuries. He would still be welcomed addition to a team needing a stronger defensive presence such as Pittsburgh, Boston or the Rangers.

Thrashers GM Don Waddell and Canadiens GM Bob Gainey met at Sunday’s Habs/Rangers game according Montreal’s La Presse (a claim later refuted by the Atlanta Journal Constitution). Michael Ryder (recently a healthy scratch) and Mathieu Dandenault (recently scratched and seeing limited playing time) are believed to be the subject of the meeting. The Habs are likely interested in Atlanta’s only real asset: Marian Hossa.
Ryder, after being scratched in back to back games, said that (translated), “perhaps it would be best if I was elsewhere.”

Analysis: Ryder is as good as gone, and Dandenault said in the press recently he was unhappy with how he’s being handled in Montreal. I think a trade could be brewing here for sure. Ryder alone and Dandenault alone would not fetch much of anything, but combined with some prospects and picks, it could be a considerable package for a re-building team.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Adam Foote says that he likes the direction that coach Ken Hitchcock has taken the franchise and would like to stick around. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t be traded at the deadline.

Analysis: Foote seems to be a likely candidate to be this year’s Mark Recchi (that is, get traded at the deadline and re-sign with your former club in the offseason). Foote’s destination is likely wherever Barrett Jackman doesn’t end up.

The Buffalo Sabres are trying to re-sign defenseman Brian Campbell, however, up to this point, they have been unsuccessful (déjà vu, anyone?). Reportedly, the asking price for Campbell is a roster player, prospect and 1st round pick. The Penguins, Sharks, Rangers, Canucks, Bruins and Senators have all inquired about his services.

Analysis: Campbell makes this pretty easy on his acquiring team; he wants about five years, $25 million. As a rental, I’m not sure the Sabres will get that much for him, but I think it would be a good trade for his new team if they can re-sign him long term.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie suggests that Florida is shopping center Olli Jokinen.

Analysis: No matter what, Olli Jokinen always appears in these articles. I imagine one thing will be changed in Florida: the coach or the captain.

The Edmonton Oilers may be looking alleviate future cap troubles by moving defenseman Steve Staios. The Oilers were reported to have been shopping center Jarret Stoll, however, Shawn Horcoff’s season ending injury has quieted that talk significantly.

Analysis: Moving Steve Staios would be a wise move for the Oilers. They could stand to cut some of the fat from their payroll. They’ve made enough mistakes out of spite already; it’s time to bite the bullet Kevin Lowe.

Craig Conroy would like to remain a Calgary Flame. He recognizes that (now recently signed) defenseman Dion Phaneuf, center Daymond Langkow and winger Kristian Huselius have first priority and therefore, first dibs on money.

Analysis: Nothing says, “I want to be part of the team!” more than “sure, I’ll take a pay cut.”

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in the market for a starting goalie.

Analysis: Well, better late than never I guess. It wouldn’t take much to get Ray Emery out of Ottawa, but that doesn’t solve your problems, just adds to them.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Petteri Nummelin is as good as gone, but not until the season concludes. Nummelin, who has only appeared in 23 games this season, has signed a five-year contract with HC Lugano of Switzerland’s Nationaliiga A. The deal will have no effect on his current contract with the Wild.

Analysis: His play has been downright offensive this year, and not in the way the Wild were looking for either.

Offensive defenseman Dan Boyle would like to remain with the Lightning, but it remains to be seen if the Lightning can afford to keep Boyle around. Reportedly, Boyle is seeking Brian Rafalski or Kimmo Timonen type money ($5 to $7 million per season).

Analysis: The only team foolish enough to give Dan Boyle $7 million per season is the Toronto Maple Leafs, lucky for them they’ve made too many mistakes to have the cap space to make more of them.

The New York Rangers and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist are close to signing a new, long-term deal.

Analysis: Obviously.