By Pat White (@patwhite9126)
Bill Wippert/NHLI/Getty Images
There may not be a more interesting time during the course of a hockey season, postseason aside, than the weeks leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline. It gives members of the media and fans an opportunity to put on their GM hats and play General Manager for a couple of days.
The whispers are getting louder, the rumors are swirling and the amount of “available” players is increasing as we inch closer to the March 5 deadline. The upcoming days will play a major factor into what teams are “buyers” and “sellers.”
The logjam of teams in the Eastern Conference makes me believe that a deal is coming to either propel one of these teams, or force teams to drop back and sell off some pieces. The Western Conference is where things get interesting. Over-achieving teams pushing for playoff spots have thrown a monkey wrench into the process (I’m looking at you, Nashville).
So today, I’m putting on my GM hat and touching on some names that could have new zip codes by this time next week. Full disclosure, this is purely speculation on my part.
Marty St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
The Marty St. Louis saga is picking up steam on a daily basis. It started with reports that St. Louis was miffed with General Manager Steve Yzerman about being originally snubbed by Team Canada at the Olympics. Then rumors surfaced that he only wanted to be traded to the New York Rangers. The rumors festered even further when St. Louis spoke to the media and didn’t deny his interest in leaving the Sunshine State.
It’s sad to see that St. Louis’ incredible career is coming to this point. He has been a fan favorite in Tampa and he has earned the “C” on his sweater. St. Louis is one of the greatest undrafted players in NHL history and his career path is incredibly inspirational. He is an unrestricted free-agent, but at age 38, he doesn’t appear to be slowing down. St. Louis’ his 25 goals and 56 points lead a playoff-bound Lightning team. With Steven Stamkos nearing a return, it would be best for St. Louis to stay in Tampa.
Verdict: I think St. Louis ultimately stays in Tampa Bay and finishes his career there. Stamkos and St. Louis have obvious chemistry and the supporting cast is the best they have had in years. The Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins are other possible destinations.
Thomas Vanek, New York Islanders
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It was encouraging to see the Islanders take a “buyers” mentality when they acquired Vanek. But general manager Garth Snow made a major miscalculation in doing so. His team isn’t in playoff contention and the loss of John Tavares doesn’t help things. Vanek has already turned down a long-term deal and he is set to hit the open market this summer. Giving up Matt Moulson for Vanek wasn’t a bad deal, but it’s the first and second-round draft picks that hurt. Snow has to deal Vanek now and recoup some assets for the future.
Vanek has many ties to Minnesota having gone to college at the University of Minnesota and his wife being from there. Vanek will be in play come next week and many teams will be lining up for his services.
Verdict: A trade to Minnesota makes the most sense, but the Penguins would like to add scoring alongside Sidney Crosby. The Philadelphia Flyers are always in the talks when big name like Vanek are available. I think Montreal could be a quiet player because the Canadiens are 23rd in the league in scoring. The Habs have over $7-million in cap space and could use Vanek’s size and scoring ability.
Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers
Callahan has been rumored to be a piece in a trade with Tampa Bay for St. Louis and the St. Louis Blues seem to be interested in the gritty winger. Callahan’s contract demands are a little outlandish. I understand he is the captain and a very important part of the Rangers lineup, but paying him over $6-million is crazy. Callahan isn’t an elite scorer, but his intangibles are top notch. But are teams really willing to shell out top-dollar for essentially a talented third liner?
Verdict: Callahan would be an excellent fit in St. Louis, but the Blues don’t have much available cap space. I don’t think he ends up leaving New York and we’ll have to wait until the summer to see where Callahan lands.
Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres
Miller has had a great career with the Sabres, but it is time for both parties to go their separate ways. The Sabres are through an organizational overhaul and Miller doesn’t appear to be in the team’s plans. He has actually played very well this season (.923 save percentage) despite the team’s struggles. Buffalo could add young pieces for the future or accrue picks in a deal for Miller.
Verdict: Again, he seems to be a good fit in St. Louis. The Blues have the assets to make a deal for Miller and they need a number-one goaltender for the playoffs. The Washington Capitals could be another intriguing destination in need of goaltending help. The Wild are another team to watch with the health of their goaltenders. The Wild and Sabres have a history of trading at the deadline and Miller could be the missing piece in Minnesota.
Mike Cammalleri, Calgary Flames
There is no more polarizing figure during trade deadline time than Calgary Flames interim General Manager Brian Burke. He is always active come March, and the Flames are in a position to sell.
There have been reports that Burke is in talks with Cammalleri about a contract extension. The Flames are a rebuilding franchise and Cammalleri probably doesn’t fit into the organization’s long-term plans. Dealing Cammalleri is difficult because of his $6-million cap hit, but there are sure to be some suitors. The 31-year old winger has 13 goals and 21 points this season in Calgary. But teams should be more impressed with Cammalleri’s point-per-game average in the postseason (32 points in 32 games). The Flames will probably have to eat some of Cammalleri’s salary to make a deal work, but they should get a solid return. I could see a 3rd or 4th-round pick, depending on the money.
Verdict: There aren’t many teams that can afford absorbing Cammalleri’s contract without the Flames eating some money. Could he end up back in Montreal? I doubt it, but it’s possible. With the Rangers signing of Dan Girardi, it looks like the Rangers aren’t selling. They could use some scoring. Here’s an interesting team: Nashville. They have over $20-million in cap space and are four points out of a playoff spot. Depending where they sit next Wednesday, they could be a team to watch.
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Steve Ott, Buffalo Sabres
Isn’t there something about Steve Ott that just screams “playoff performer”? He is the type of player that would be bring that Brian Bickell-esque toughness and grit during a playoff series. Ott is the type of player that steals your girlfriend and laughs at you as he does it.
Ott only has nine goals and 20 points this season in Buffalo, but he is always noticeable over the course of the game. He has a manageable cap hit of $2.95-million that many teams could absorb. I can see Ott being traded to a contending team in need of veteran leadership and grit, comparable to last season’s deal that sent Brendan Morrow to Pittsburgh. It’s not a flashy deal, but he provides a lot of substance.
Verdict: I see a young team that could use a veteran presence that leads by example. Colorado would be a great fit for Ott and replace some of the toughness the Aves lost when they traded Steve Downie. The Habs have been getting pushed around in the playoffs. That certainly wouldn’t happen with Ott around. The Blues are another team expressing interest in the veteran pivot.
Ales Hemsky, Edmonton Oilers
Hemsky is years removed from being a 50-plus point player and has been on the trading block for years. He is a UFA this summer, but he is still just 30 years old. Hemsky is still a secondary scorer (24 points in 52 games this season) and could thrive on a competitive team. Hemsky hasn’t played a full season, let alone 70 games, since 2008-09. His $5-million cap hit is pricey, but Edmonton could eat some of that salary in the right deal.
Verdict: I’ve been predicting a deal to Penguins for weeks now, and I firmly believe it happens. Edmonton could eat some salary and acquire a young defenseman (Simon Depres?) as well as a compensatory pick in the 2nd of 3rd round range. The Flyers have been talking to the Oilers since the draft, so Philadelphia could be another landing spot.
Andrew MacDonald, New York Islanders
MacDonald is going to be one of the most sought after players at the trade deadline. He carries a low cap-hit of $550,000 that has defense-desperate GM’s salivating. MacDonald has been the Islanders best defenseman this season and plays in all situations. He plays on 54.8 percent of time when the Islanders are shorthanded. MacDonald’s carries a Corsi-relative of -9.4%, but that will rise on a contending team.
Verdict: MacDonald could end up a number of places. The Penguins and Ducks could use MacDonald. The Boston Bruins are in need of defensive depth and the Flyers could be a landing spot, although other team’s could probably offer more to the Islanders for MacDonald’s services. Toronto needs defensive depth and Dave Nonis has the young pieces to tweak the defense.
Matt Moulson, Buffalo Sabres
Matt Moulson – Getty Images
Moulson is one of the best pure goal scorers in the NHL. This season, he has 16 goals and 35 points in 53 games with two bottom-dwelling teams. Buffalo is in a better position to deal Moulson than the Islanders are because of Moulson’s lower cap-hit ($3.1-million) compared to Vanek’s $5.75-million. Moulson has three 30-goal campaigns to his name, and Buffalo might be able to acquire a high pick for his services.
Verdict: The Kings are familiar with Moulson and could desperately use his scoring touch. They have the playmakers to pair with a player of Moulson’s caliber. The Detroit Red Wings currently sit in a playoff spot, but the injury to Henrik Zetterberg is a major loss. General Manager Ken Holland doesn’t make many mid-season splashes, but Moulson could help fill the scoring void left by Zetterberg.
Brad Boyes, Florida Panthers
Boyes is always a player I keep my eye on. He is past his days of scoring 30-plus goals, but Boyes is an affordable ($1-million cap-hit) option for teams in need of a scorer. He has 17 goals for the Panthers this season and his veteran presence is desirable for many teams.
Verdict: Boyes is only 31 years old, he’s cheap and he is still a scoring threat. He probably wouldn’t come too expensive to teams like the Penguins, Kings, Blues and Lightning. Depending on where Vancouver sits in the standings come next week, GM Mike Gillis could add a veteran scorer.
It will certainly been an interesting week leading up to the March 5 Trade Deadline. As I said, this list is all pure speculation on where these players could land.
What do you think? Where do these players fit? What teams are prepared to make moves?
The post NHL Trade Deadline: Who’s on the Move? appeared first on The Hockey Guys.
