The NHL trade deadline is Wednesday, so let’s take a look at the big day on a team-by-team basis.
Oh yeah, and please remember, our theory on trade deadline day – for the past two decades – has always been the same: Believe whatever rumour you want to believe.
ANAHEIM DUCKS: It would appear the Ducks are ready to move veterans Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Brendan Morrison and Todd Marchant. Don’t be surprised if the Canadiens sniff around at Pronger and Niedermayer.
ATLANTA THRASHERS: It’s next year time for the Thrashers. They’re 17 points out of the playoff hunt. And will deal anybody in a uniform for draft picks or young players who will contribute next year. Evidently, Hockey Night in Canada claimed the Flyers have some interest in Kari Lehtonen and we’re told the Thrashers are prepared to give up top prospect James van Riemsdyk. If that’s true (although I’m not sure it is), I’m surprised GM Don Waddell hasn’t already made the deal.
BOSTON BRUINS: If the Boston Bruins go after a rental player for the stretch run, don’t be surprised if that rental player is former Winnipeg Jets captain Keith Tkachuk, a native Bostonian now living and playing in St. Louis. The Bruins also have some interest in Chris Pronger, but probably not enough cap room.
BUFFALO SABRES: The Sabres are in the hunt for that final playoff spot in the East and they have a player to trade. If they could get a roll of tape for Maxim Afinogenov, they’d move him yesterday.
CALGARY FLAMES: After losing 8-6 to Tampa on Sunday you can bet Mike Keenan is looking for a little inexpensive veteran help — and there is a lot out there. Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi or Jeff Halpern could wind up in Calgary without a lot going the other way.
CAROLINA HURRICANES: Tied with Buffalo for the final playoff spot in the East, the Hurricanes need more scoring. The power-play is weak and the team has only 169 goals on the season, second lowest of all playoff teams. Paul Maurice has this team back in the race, but if they want to take the next step, they need to get younger, better, quicker.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: This is a great young team and GM Dale Tallon has no desire to move anybody. Some say Tallon is looking for a veteran centre, but isn’t everyone?
COLORADO AVALANCHE: The Colorado Avalanche will make some moves in an effort to get rid of a collection of veterans who just aren’t worth the aggravation anymore. Jordan Leopold and Ian Laperriere both become free agents on July 1, so they’re on the block. So too are veterans Ryan Smyth, Milan Hejduk, Marek Svatos, Brett Clark, Ruslan Salei and John-Michael Liles. Of course, Smyth (the Habs are interested), Hejduk and Liles all have no-trade clauses so they aren’t likely going anywhere.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: Jackets GM Scott Howson would like to do something but Howson believes his goaltending can carry the team to a playoff berth and he won’t do anything drastic.
DALLAS STARS: With Brad Richards injured, it’s likely the Stars will go looking for a Top 6 forward. However, Stars co-GM Les Jackson told the Dallas Morning News the team has a tight internal payroll budget and will only make a move if it helps the team right now.
DETROIT RED WINGS: GM Kenny Holland has been known to make big moves at the deadline and if something special comes up, he’ll jump at the chance to cut a deal. But he’s not actively trying to do anything significant.
EDMONTON OILERS: The Oil want a Top 6 forward and were seriously involved in the Chris Kunitz talks with Anaheim, but wouldn’t part with defenceman Tom Gilbert. Robert Nilsson and Dustin Penner are said to be available, but if the Oilers don’t get something special in return, GM Kevin Lowe will likely stand pat.
FLORIDA PANTHERS: The one guy who looks like the top rental player this spring is Panthers defenceman Jay Bouwmeester. Now, Bouwmeester is only 25, but he becomes a free-agent on July 1 and while Florida GM Jacques Martin says he’s prepared to trade his young defensive star, Martin wants a number of players in a package who will help get him into the playoffs right now.
LOS ANGELES KINGS: Although they’re 13th in the West, the young Kings are only six points out of the final playoff spot. L.A. would deal a veteran or two, but don’t expect much to happen here.
MINNESOTA WILD: Rumours, rumours, rumours. Marian Gaborik, Stephen Veilleux, Owen Nolan, Marek Zidlicky… yeah, whatever. The 30-26-5 Wild will do something if it helps the team make a playoff run right now.
MONTREAL CANADIENS: Montreal is still looking around for a Top 4 defenceman so here was the first rumour this year that actually sounded legit: “The Canadiens and the slumping Phoenix Coyotes are talking about a deal that would send 30-year-old defenceman Derek Morris from Phoenix to Montreal in exchange for a couple of young forwards.”
NASHVILLE PREDATORS: The Predators are just one point out of the final playoff spot in the West so don’t expect David Poile to do anything significant.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS: Marty Brodeur is back so all is well in Newark. Although the Devils are 41-19-3, Lou Lamoriello could always fire a coach just for fun, but it’s unlikely he’ll make a significant trade – unless, of course, something unexpected and downright miraculous pops up.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS: These guys are sellers and it looks like veteran forward Bill Guerin will be the first to go. Clearly, after Guerin sat out Saturday night’s game with Buffalo, it would appear the Islanders have a deal in place to send Guerin to a playoff contender.
NEW YORK RANGERS: The Rangers have about a million dollars in cap space available so they’ll be looking to upgrade. Coyotes 30-year-old defenceman Derek Morris is of some interest to Glen Sather and John Tortorella. Although with only 159 goals scored (the lowest among playoff teams in the East), this is a team that desperately needs a sniper or two.
OTTAWA SENATORS: After firing Craig Hartsburg and then making the deal for Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli, Senators GM Bryan Murray has made a commitment to getting his team into the playoffs – next year. No player on this team – not even Heatley or Spezza – are untouchable.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS: Philly would like to add a big defenceman at the deadline and they have their sights on Jay Bouwmeester. Atlanta goalie Kari Lehtonen is also, apparently, on Philly’s radar.
PHOENIX COYOTES: These guys will be sellers. Hell, if anyone offers, Jerry Moyes will sell the entire franchise. Hell, if a team made an offer for the Zamboni driver, the Coyotes would deal.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: The Penguins are in the playoff hunt, just one point out of eighth in the East. They dealt Ryan Whitney to Anaheim for Chris Kunitz last week and they’ll no doubt make more moves this week.
SAN JOSE SHARKS: The Sharks are 42-10-9, first in the West and three points ahead of defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit with two games in hand. They have the best team in the NHL. GM Doug Wilson won’t do anything that might mess with his team’s chemistry.
ST. LOUIS BLUES: The Blues now have a legitimate shot at a playoff berth and one senses head coach Andy Murray and big boss John Davidson don’t want to do anything that might disturb a team that is now only three points out of eighth place in the West. Pundits say Keith Tkachuk and Jay McKee are on the block, but they’ll only go if Davidson thinks he’s making this year’s team better.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: Vinny Lecavalier is going nowhere but GM Brian Lawton would love to move some veterans. If your name is Recchi, Roberts, Malik, Halpern, Prospal and Krajicek, you’re on the block.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS: Seems everyone around the NHL believes the Toronto Maple Leafs will be sellers. In fact, insiders say every player on the team with the exception of young defenceman Luke Schenn is on the block. But has anyone noticed that the Leafs have won four straight games and are now only seven points out of the final playoff spot in the East?
VANCOUVER CANUCKS: GM Mike Gillis is always ready to wheel and deal but right now, he’s more concerned about getting the twins, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, under contract long term than he is in pulling off a blockbuster trade.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS: The Caps want a veteran defenceman. Doesn’t everyone? However, unlike a lot of other teams, the Caps have plenty of cap room and have expressed interest in Phoenix’s Derek Morris, Anaheim’s Chris Pronger and Colorado’s Jordan Leopold.
