Talk around the NHL these days is there won’t be as much action at this year’s trade deadline as there has been the past few years. But we all know talk is cheap.
There is no question a lot of teams up against the salary cap will be hampered in their ability to add talent – and salary – at the deadline, but you just know when push comes to shove teams that believe one more piece added to the puzzle will guarantee them a shot at the Stanley Cup, or at the very least a long playoff run, will find a way to make a deal.
The most obvious targets will be impending unrestricted free agents. Teams, especially those that have fallen out of the playoff picture, shudder at the thought of having an asset walk away without getting anything in return. The Montreal Canadiens have allowed it to happen in back-to-back seasons, losing defencemen Sheldon Souray and Mark Streit in 2007 and 2008 respectively, but they felt in both cases trading those players would have severe repercussions on their playoff chances in those particular seasons.
The Atlanta Thrashers, on the other hand, were not in a position to take any chances last season. When it became obvious they had no chance whatsoever of re-signing star winger Marian Hossa, they moved him to the Pittsburgh Penguins with Pascal Dupuis for a package that included three players and the Penguins’ first-round draft pick. Though Hossa didn’t re-sign with Pittsburgh, opting instead for a better Cup chance with Detroit this year, he did help the Penguins get to the Cup Final before losing to those same Wings.
This year’s prime target will be Florida Panthers defenceman Jay Bouwmeester. It doesn’t look like the 25-year-old will re-sign with the rebuilding Panthers and if he doesn’t, Florida GM Jacques Martin will have to trade him. There will be a huge market for his services and the Panthers can likely guarantee themselves more in return if they allow their trading partner to negotiate with Bouwmeester on a contract extension.
One player who is not slated to be a free agent, but could very well move before the deadline, is Tampa Bay superstar centre Vinny Lecavalier. Sources have told Sportsnet.ca the Lightning are facing financial difficulties and are willing to part with any of its players, including Lecavalier and rookie Steven Stamkos, this past June’s No. 1 pick.
Teams that will be buyers at the deadline include: Vancouver, Boston, Detroit, Washington, Montreal, Calgary, Chicago, the Rangers, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Columbus, Minnesota and Edmonton.
Here are some other impending unrestricted free agents (UFA), listed alphabetically, who might be moved before the deadline:
Nik Antropov, C, Toronto: The 6-foot-6, 230-pound centre appears to have finally shaken the injury bug that dogged him through most of his career and is close to a point-per-game player. If he doesn’t fit with new GM Brian Burke’s vision, he’ll be shipped out of Toronto. Ironically, Burke’s former team, Anaheim, could use him.
Mike Comrie, C, Islanders: The little pivot accepted a one-year deal to stay with the Islanders last summer, but surely in the back of his mind he knew he’d be trade bait at some point this year. He has just six goals and 13 points in 25 games and won’t fetch a lot.
Bill Guerin, RW, Islanders: The 38-year-old won a Cup in his third full season in the NHL with New Jersey and just might like to go out on top as a rental player. Guerin still has something left in the tank and would be a good depth player on a contending team.
Filip Kuba, D, Ottawa: Sure, a team with no puck-moving defenceman is going to move its leading scorer from the blue line. Don’t laugh. A team sinking faster than the economy will trade anybody, especially a defender earning $3 million a season. And let’s be honest, Kuba is not exactly a high-end offensive defenceman.
Sean O’Donnell, D, Los Angeles: Moved once already this season from Anaheim, O’Donnell is a savvy veteran who is solid in his own zone. He plays 20 minutes a game and is still tough. Might the Ducks try to get him back?
Dwayne Roloson, G, Edmonton: If the Oilers slip out of the playoff mix, they’ll have to make a decision once and for all on their goaltending situation. Roloson, at 39, is the odds-on choice to be moved. Detroit could be interested.
Mathieu Schneider, D, Atlanta: GM Don Waddell says his team will be a buyer, not a seller, at the deadline. Yeah, right. If Waddell is still running the Thrashers by March 4, he will unquestionably move this veteran defender. A number of teams are in the market for a puck-moving defenceman and Schneider has valuable Stanley Cup experience.
Mike Sillinger, C, Islanders: He has already played for 12 teams; what’s one more? Injuries have limited Sillinger to just seven games this season, but he is tough and good leader. He could add valuable depth to a contender.
Keith Tkachuk, C, St. Louis: He was moved to Atlanta at the trade deadline two years ago so such a move is not unprecedented. Tkachuk does not have a very good playoff track record, but there will be teams that believe his veteran presence coupled with the fact he is running out of time to win his first Cup will benefit them.
Of course there’s always Brendan Shanahan. The veteran and unemployed right winger has let it be known he would like to continue his career, but thus far there have been no takers.