IT’S TRADE DEADLINE EVE!!!
It’s an exciting day today, as NHL teams have about 36 hours to get things together, before the 3pm trade deadline tomorrow afternoon. Lots to talk about including the blockbuster that sent Ryan Miller and Steve Ott to St. Louis for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier and a first round pick in 2015 and a 3rd round pick in 2016. If the Blues make the Western Conference Final, the Sabres will then get the Blues’ 2014 first round pick and the Blues would receive the Sabres’ 2014 second round pick and third round pick. If Miller signs, the Sabres receive the Blues’ 2016 second round pick. With this trade, the Blues have gone from Cup contender to Cup favorite. I was a big fan of the Blues already, and this is very exciting.
With regards to Halak and Stewart, chances are they will not be Sabres for long.
Shall we begin?
GOALIES
Courtesy: MASN Sports
Jaroslav Halak (Buffalo Sabres): Halak’s name has been linked to a few teams, and those rumors still linger as the Sabres really have no interest in keeping Halak, and they will use him to beef up their youth. They want a younger goalie that can play right away, and they may be comfortable for now with Jonas Enoth and, most likely, Matt Hackett. The Sabres want a pick a prospect most likley. The Minnesota Wild need goaltending as Josh Harding is still dealing with his MS symptoms and Nicklas Backstrom is a shell of what he used to be in net. The Capitals, I think, are still behind the scenes, at least kicking tires – I’d rather them not. Interestingly, the Flyers and Penguins are said to be interested as well. The Flyers, I think are more interested in a certain forward and also upgrading their defense first, but the Penguins might not be confident in Fleury come playoff time. The Islanders are also a team to watch, and they might be the front runner for Halak as they are rebuilding as well. The Sabres could also claim Dubnyk off waives from Nashville today.
Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils): Lou hasn’t come to Brodeur and asked him to waive his NTC… yet. It could happen. The Wild are interested as are the Blackhawks. Brodeur says he’d like to come back next year, but that he needs to play more in order to make that decision. The Caps could still be interested, and the Devils could be the only team who would be willing to take on Erat.
Tim Thomas (Florida Panthers): I’m still thinking the Penguins make a move for him, but the Wild seem to be desperate.
Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes): Ward’s name has been thrown out there a couple times. The Hurricanes might entertain the idea of moving him to free up some cap space. They have been comfortable with Anton Khudobin, and he’s a UFA at the end of the season. Ward carries a $6.3M salary, and that could hurt his value along with his injury history. The Wild have been linked to Ward. It’s a longshot that he’s traded, but it’s still interesting to talk about. I would almost bet the Capitals have inquired.
Viktor Fasth (Anaheim Ducks): He might be available, and you can add the same list of teams as the other goalies.
DEFENSEMAN
Chris Phillips (Ottawa Senators): He could still be re-signed, but his name is out there. The Capitals and Bruins are linked, as are the Avalanche. He could just be a rental player, but I’m sure he won’t be cheap. He wants a two extension from the Senators, but they only offered one.
Jake Gardiner (Toronto Maple Leafs): Dallas is an interesting team to watch, because they have veteran assets like Ray Whitney and Sergei Gonchar. Gardiner’s name has been in and out of the rumor mill, and it’s no secret he hasn’t been given a fair deal in Toronto. The Islanders cold also be interested as well as the Coyotes. Edmonton would be interesting, but I think they vets.
Courtesy: Ben Neulms/Reuters
Alexander Edler (Vancouver Canucks): Edler has had a really bad year under Tortorella and he will most likely be traded as the Canucks try to right the ship. The Bruins and Devils are two interesting scenarios, but I really think Washington is trying hard to land Edler. He’s a great two way defenseman, although he’s not the brutish, shutdown guy the Caps really need. However, he’s smart and Swedish, and that is good enough for me. Doubtful Erat would be wanted in Vancouver, but I wonder if Troy Brouwer would be enough.
Andrew MacDonald (New York Islanders): The Flyers might be in the lead for Mac, as well as the Sabres, but look for someone who needs an extra push for a playoff run to get him. The Bruins are also interested and they desperately need someone to take the place of Denis Seidenberg after he went down to injury.
Christian Erhoff (Buffalo Sabres): He’s expensive and could be a little washed up, but he’s also been on the Sabres – and they suck. The Red Wings might make a move here. The Caps could be interested also, as well as the Flyers. Doubtful on the Bruins, but you never know.
Joe Corvo (Ottawa Senators): GM Bryan Murray emailed teams to let them know Corvo was available. The Caps are interested, which is stupid because he didn’t work out the last time we rented him. The Bruins could be interested again as well. The Flyers will certainly inquire.
FORWARDS
Ryan Kesler (Vancouver Canucks): What an interesting development out of Vancouver. No one seems to want to play there, kinda like Washington, and Kesler is now the #1 target for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago. If Kesler is traded, which may not happen due to Daniel Sedin’s injury, I think he would go East. The Rangers could offer up Callahan, but I’m not sure that would work with Torts. The Flyers will watch the Penguins to see what they do, and answer back right away. The Blue Jackets are also a team to watch.
Jason Spezza (Ottawa Senators): Doubtful he’d move, but he could be a rental. His name has come up a few times If the price is right, however, you never know. He could be traded at the draft.
Courtesy: Zimbio
Martin Gaborik (Columbus Blue Jackets): The Jackets want to get rid of Gaborik. He’s too much money for so little a return, and the Wild may just want him back for some extra scoring. Makes me wonder if the Jackets would entertain Dany Heatley. He’s in the last year of his monster contract and could be re-signed for a cheap third line filler. No pressure in Columbus either. The Kings are another team to watch.
Thomas Vanek (New York Islanders): The Red Wings are said to be making moves to get Vanek. He’s a great fit, but would he re-sign? The Wild can’t afford him yet and the Ducks probably won’t give up what the Isles want, but the Ducks could be Vanek’s chance at a Cup this year.
Martin Erat (Washington Capitals): No one wants him. Caps would have to retain part of his salary.
Matt Moulson (Buffalo Sabres): The Kings will go hard for Moulson, but the Senators could be interested. It’s said that the Sabres have let Moulson’s agent speak to teams about a contract at the end of the year.
Ales Hemsky (Edmonton Oilers): The Red Wings are said to be interested in Hemsky and he would be a nice fit in Detroit. The Senators could be an option for him as well, but it’s the Pittsburgh Penguins that seem to have the highest interest, but that all depends on Kesler.
Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning): It’s New York or bust for St. Louis. The Rangers are the only team he seems to want to be traded to. The Rangers could offer Callahan, but his asking price is dumb. The Islanders could be an interesting team to watch, but would Marty want to go to a rebuild? Doubt it.
Courtesy: NY Post
Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers): He’s a fantastic player and anyone would want him, but not for $6.5M a year. The Rangers will probably re-sign him, but his name is linked to the Lightning, Sharks and Blue Jackets. He’s a great leader, but teams might be scared of how much it would cost them to re-sign him.
Sam Gagner (Edmonton Oilers): The Predators and Lightning are interesting teams to watch, as are the Kings, but I really think the Islanders could make a move for Gagner. He’s a great player, and could do well with a scenery change.
Jaromir Jagr (New Jeresy Devils): He wants to play again next year, and could be a rental for a team looking to make the playoffs or a Cup contender. Detroit, Vancouver and Chicago will kick the tires and see whta Lou wants.
More to come…
