The NHL Draft is a month away and this is gearing up to be one of the biggest deal days in a long time. A lot is on the table for a lot of teams. This could be the summer we see a lot of goalies being shipped around, something we haven’t seen in a long time. The era of the ‘untouchable’ player could very well be over as everyone has a rumor or speculation attached to them.
Here. We. Go…
GOALIES
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Ryan Miller: So the Blues experiment failed for Miller as he could not help them over that elusive playoff hump – now what? Apparently Anaheim will not be interested – they’re going with John Gibson and Frederik Andersen – and San Jose is said to want to get younger. So where would that leave Miller? What if the Pittsburgh Penguins came calling? Marc-Andre Fleury did very well this time around in the playoffs, but his time could be up in Pittsburgh. Teams that need goalies: Vancouver, Washington, Minnesota. New Vancouver GM Jim Benning helped draft Miller in Buffalo. Minnesota needs a #1 goalie to take over, especially if Josh Harding isn’t able to maintain a full season again. Washington says they’ll go with Holtby and Grubauer – but says who? They don’t have a coach or GM yet. Another dark horse: Colorado. If Patrick Roy isn’t comfortable with Varlamov, he could be shipped – but it’s a long shot.
Marc-Andre Fleury: What if the Penguins signed Miller? Or someone else? How would Fleury look in a Sharks uniform? It’s possible. San Jose wants to get younger and get better quality in net. Niemi is a wonderful goaltender, but his time may be over for the Sharks. Fleury to San Jose could happen. It all depends on the new Penguins GM. Minnesota could even kick tires and see what it would take if Pittsburgh shops him.
Jonas Hiller: Anaheim is leaning towards Gibson and Andersen, which makes Hiller expendable. One rumorist has heard that New Jersey could be interested – which doesn’t make a lot of sense considering they have Schneider and DeBoer said he wants to go with one goalie next year. Hiller could also be a target for Edmonton and Minnesota. I wonder if Carolina would go that route – it all depends on what GM Ron Francis wants to do with Cam Ward. Hiller is a UFA, so Anaheim could at least trade his rights and try to get something out of him leaving.
Cam Ward: GM Ron Francis may or may not ship Ward out. It really depends on who would be interested. Ward has been oft injured the last couple years, but a healthy Ward can still play. I can see Minnesota taking a shot if they don’t land Miller or Hiller or even Niemi. I think it would be interesting if the Capitals took a look at Ward. If he is willing to take a backseat to the budding Holtby, it would be a nice 1-2 combination. At $6.43M though, that could be really tough to swallow for some teams, unless Carolina retains salary.
Martin Brodeur: Brodeur doesn’t want to be a back up, and New Jersey needs to move on from their future Hall of Famer if they want to compete. Brodeur will attract a lot of attention for teams looking for a solid #2 (ha…), but what teams would take a chance at Brodeur as a starter? If he wants to split time and stay close to home, Washington, again, would be a nice fit. Pittsburgh could even take a chance, but Fleury would command most of the season. Minnesota, again, could be interested, but will want a current star, not an aged one. This could be Brodeur’s last season coming up unless a teams is willing to stick with him for two more years.
Antti Niemi: San Jose needs to tweak somethings, and Niemi might be the first to go. Minnesota will pounce if they don’t get Miller. Vancouver could be another option, but not sure if San Jose will want Niemi that close. He could come to the East Coast. He’ll be entering the final year of his contract, $3.8M, which would be a bargain for teams, and he’ll be playing for a new contract which would give him incentive to do well. If San Jose trades him at the draft, they should get a nice return.
Jimmy Howard: I told you, no one is safe. Howard still has five years left on his contract, so chances are he’s not going anywhere. However, the Red Wings have always admired Ryan Miller, and if they believe that Miller is an upgrade they could quietly shop Howard’s name around. If Howard were to be traded, I’d say he would go West and away from the Eastern Conference. Minnesota and Vancouver, of course, would want a shot if he became available.
Ilya Brygalov: He did well in Minnesota, but he wasn’t enough. I doubt that the Wild will bring him back. Anaheim, if they want a little more experience at a better cost than Miller, could be an option. Bryz, unless he goes to a rebuild like Buffalo, will be most likely be a back up. I can’t see him taking the reigns anymore after the last two years. The KHL could be an option, too.
DEFENSEMAN
Courtesy: Zimbio
Kris Letang: The Penguins need to tweak something and Letang could be moved. His health concerns seem to be behind him after a strong playoff showing, but teams could still be scared off. Teams like Edmonton and Calgary would love to get their hands on Letang to help their blueline, and they have the cap space. Colorado could also be interested if they have room. Detroit is always interested in players like Letang. Could Vancouver make a Letang for Kesler deal?
Dan Boyle: The Rangers. I still think the Rangers, however they come out of these playoffs, will make a move to sign Boyle. Detroit could also be interested. Boyle will want to go somewhere to finsih his career and have a chance to win a Cup. He won’t opt for an Edmonton or Calgary. I wonder if Tampa would come calling again. Colorado could also be an option as they need defensive depth.
Brooks Orpik: My first thought for the UFA was Washington. The Caps need a player like Orpik, but is he the same Orpik he was a couple years ago. or is he worn down? The newest GM of the Caps needs to retool the defensive core and add toughness. Orpik is a good place to start. Colorado should also take a peek and Dallas could be a spot.
Matt Niskanen: Another Penguin, but he will probably be re-signed especially if they move Letang. Niskanen flourished when Letang was out then saw his numbers drop upon Letang’s return. Pittsburgh should hang on to him, especially since they have Maata as well. Letang is expendable. Detroit will inquire about Niskanen as will Colorado and Dallas.
P.K. Subban: Someone is up for a new contract and could be looking for $8-$9M. Montreal needs to make a decision on who they want to be their cornerstone. Subban could bring in a lofty return for teams, like Colorado, who would love to have him on their blueline. He’s been stellar in the playoffs (except in the NY series) and has a Norris Trophy under his belt. One team that could afford him and would flourish with him is Edmonton. Calgary has the cap space, but not the talent to perform yet.
Jake Gardiner: Toronto is still kind of a mess, and whether or not they still want to hang on to Gardiner is up for debate. He could bring a nice return from teams like Colorado or Edmonton who want a puck moving defenseman (Gardiner for Schultz in Edmonton would be interesting). Detroit could benefit from Gardiner as well. His riff with Head Coach Randy Carlyle is no doubt blown up by the media, but they will need to mend fences.
Mike Green: No idea what the future plans are for the Capitals, but one has to think that Mike Green’s name will be shopped around. His injury history and salary will scare most teams away, but Calgary is the one place I think Green will land. He’s from the area and he could thrive in an atmosphere that doesn’t really have any pressure to succeed. Green is still a dynamic player, but his injuries and the pressure have caught up with him. Put him in a new setting with a coach that can utilize his talents properly, and you’ll see a 20 goal campaign.
Alex Edler: Vancouver now has a GM, and the first order of business is trying to figure out who stays and who goes. Edler will probably go. He’s a talented defender who can move the puck and he’s the perfect fit in Detroit. The Capitals were high on him earlier in the year, but who knows now. If Edler is traded, I expect an Eastern Conference team to get him.
Christian Erhoff: The Sabres need to trade Erhoff and get some value out of him. Coaches love his game and he can fit in almost anywhere. Dallas is a good option. Colorado could also use his help.
Dion Phaneuf: There are so many rumors about Phaneuf going here and there and then coming back to Toronto on a spaceship – or something like that. Toronto could ship off their captain, but the return really depends on how badly someone wants Phaneuf. He’ s still one of the top defenseman in the league, but Toronto pressure may not have been a good thing for him. Brian Burke may want him back, but this time in Calgary where Phaneuf began his career. It would be a good fit, and, like Mike Green, Phaneuf could flourish under the more easy and comfortable atmosphere.
FORWARDS
Courtesy: Peter Diane/Pittsburgh Post Gazzette
Jason Spezza: He is on the market and he is a very hot commodity. Although he is aging, Spezza can still play and we saw how well he can do with someone like Hemsky on his wing. Dallas, St. Louis, Anaheim, and the Panthers are all in on him, but Nashville looks the most intriguing. New Head Coach, Peter Laviolette, wants offense to work with, and Ottawa would love to pick from Nashville’s talented young defensive core. Throw in someone like underachieving Filip Forsberg, and you have a nice package for the Senators to build on. The asking price will likely be a player, prospect and top pick. Spezza also has one more year left on his contract, and could be treated as a rental.
Ales Hemsky: The Senators could re-sign him, but who would he play with? St. Louis is a good option, and Phoenix tried to get him at the deadline. Hemsky would play very well with Ribeiro.
Ryan Kesler: Kesler had a good conversation at the end of the year with new Team President, Trevor Linden. What they talked about though…? Who knows? If Kesler is moved, and he very well could be, he would bring a nice return for the Canucks who are not necessarily rebuilding as they are doing a major tweak. They need goaltending and could offer up Kesler to someone like Anaheim for Hiller’s rights or even to Pittsburgh is Fleury becomes available. Pittsburgh almost had Kesler at the deadline, but Vancouver owners nixed the deal. Dallas is also interested and could, although I’m not sure if they would, offer up Alex Chaisson. Kesler has control of his destiny, so Vancouver’s options might be very limited. He listed 6 teams at the deadline, but only two (Pittsburgh and Anaheim) fit for the Canucks’ needs.
James Neal: Again with the Penguins. Neal can score 30-40 goals fairly easy, if he’s not loosing his cool and cheap shotting people. The Penguins could look to trade Neal and bring back the pieces needed to compete in the playoffs again. They could do a swap for Evander Kane in Winnipeg.
Evander Kane: Chances are, he won’t be around in Manitoba much longer. Philadelphia would be a great fit for Kane, as would Pittsburgh. St. Louis could use his toughness and speed. He would also look nice next to Sequin and Benn in Dallas.
Joe Thornton: It may be time to part ways with Joe Thornton in San Jose. The Sharks were the embarrassment of the post-season, and changes need to be made. They already aren’t bringing back Dan Boyle, and Antti Niemi is almost out the door. Thornton just re-signed, but that doesn’t mean much anymore. He probably has the pick of the litter, but teams he’s interested in have to be able to fit him in. San Jose probably wouldn’t retain any salary. No word on any rumors yet, but they will come.
Patrick Marleau: Same as Thornton, but Marleau would be easier to move.
Paul Stastny: If Colorado doesn’t re-sign him, Dallas will make moves. They want him bad and could make an offer to get his rights. St. Louis will also be interested. Is he worth $6M-$7M a year? I don’t think so, but the $4M-$5M range is more acceptable. Teams could do well to sign him to a bridge contract.
Brooks Laich: Who knows? He could be bought out, traded, or flourish under a new coach Barry Trotz. Laich still needs to pass his physical before anything is happen.
Dustin Penner: I wish the Caps would re-sign him, but they probably won’t. I wouldn’t be surprised if Anaheim came calling again. They could have used his size against the Kings. L.A. could be another option for Penner again.
Mikhail Grabovski: The Capitals NEED TO SIGN HIM. He’s tearing up the World’s right now for Belarus and making a case for a good NHL contract. He and his wife loved D.C. and would like to stay, but he wants to know what is going on first before he commits. Can you blame him? Any team who needs a second line center will be after him.
Evgeni Malkin: Malkin needs a new team. Or he needs to be the front man of the Penguins. Malkin doesn’t do well as second fiddle and when Crosby went down with injury, Malkin won a scoring title. He played his heart out in the playoffs while Crosby whined about his coach and team. Malkin should be the man in Pittsburgh, but the Penguins would never admit that. If they want to trade him, just imagine the return. Remember what Atlanta got for Kovalchuk? Me neither, but it was big. Florida would be perfect for Malkin.
Sydney Crosby: If I were Pittsburgh ownership, I’d take a serious look into the heart and desire of the suppsed #1 player in the world. He’s tanked under pressure since 2010 – he did nothing in either Olympics (and the ‘Golden Goal’ was nice, but he was absent until then) – and he’s proven to be an extremely sore loser. If Pittsburgh offered him up and let Malkin take over as #1, I’d guarantee a Cup for the Penguins. Again, Florida would be a great fit. Phoenix also. Somewhere that is small market who needs a big name. Does Mexico have a league?
Eric Staal: Francis will take a hard look at his franchise player and decide what to do. It all depends on who is coaching. I don’t seem him going anywhere… yet.
Jordan Staal: Same as his brother, but Pittsburgh has to regret trading him. Jordan hasn’t had the success in Carolina as he did in Pittsburgh, but a new coach, a better coach, could change that. I give him 5-6 months until Francis decides something.
I’ll have more later when more becomes available, but this is a pretty good start.
Who do you think will make the biggest splash at the NHL Draft involving trades? Let me know on Twitter: @_Mellin_
More to come…
