Alright, so we're just at 24 hours before the trade deadline as I write this, and in the past two weeks there have been 3 trades, one of which can be deemed significant. I'm afraid Devils GM Lou Lamoriello may have been right when he suggested that he, "didn’t get a sense that there’s going to be an active market at the trade deadline."Mats Sundin has decided not to waive his no-trade clause, a move that I can respect. It is his contractual right and by no means can he be blamed for exercising that right, despite what some fans and media may say. I do think that it would have been good for the franchise for him to do so, but if he can't play passionately for another team, they may not even want him.
Calgary GM Darryl Sutter made it clear today that he likes his team and will not be dealing winger Alex Tanguay. I think this is a smart choice. I wonder if this also means that he will be hanging on to Daymond Langkow and Kristain Huselius, both pending UFAs this summer. I understand that teams don't want to lose players to unrestricted free-agency, but when you are playing well, as the Flames are, and have the chance to be genuine playoff contenders (which is the reason behind all of this dealing, isn't it?) then why not hang on to your team, maintain chemistry, and go for it? I doubt either player will be moved, with Huselius being the more likely candidate.
So, with two big fish off the market, how much will really happen on deadline day? I agree with Lamoriello and don't think this year's deadline day will be as active as the past two (25 trades last year). Don't get me wrong, there are still some big names that will likely be on the move, but the overall activity will be nearly stagnant unless one big trade happens early to set off the rest.
The big names that I see moving are Marian Hossa (definitely), Brad Richards (likely), and Bryan McCabe (possibly), but beyond that there seems to be mostly speculation. If the Hossa deal happens today or very early tomorrow morning, I think it will open up the market for teams that were waiting to take a stab at him. But, if Waddell doesn't finish that trade until the last minute, I don't expect too much tweaking to go on between other teams. I think Toronto interim GM Cliff Fletcher will end up being forced to move some younger players signed beyond this year, like Alex Steen and Nik Antropov, as McCabe was the only one of Sundin, Tomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, and Darcy Tucker, to even consider waiving his NTC.
I see the Sabres hanging on to Brian Campbell for the stretch drive and another playof push, as GM Darcy Regier usually dismisses the future when things are going well. If they have been having as much trouble as has been reported in signing Campbell, it would be wise to obtain something for him now as opposed to losing him after the season (Drury, Briere, cough!). If Campbell isn't moved, I see Regeir giving him a contract above market value some time between the end of the season and July 1 to ensure that he does not lose another UFA (mostly for the fans).
There is continued speculation that veteran LA defenseman Rob Blake will be moved, but he has stated that he has decided not to waive his NTC. Plus, he was recently out of the lineup with a stress fracture. The only way I see a deal going through is if it is to the Ducks (which I am not sure the Kings would deal with) or possibly the Sharks.
Players that have been speculated about that I don't see moving:
Michael Ryder, MTL
-The chemistry in Montreal is too good right now, and Ryder is just finding his game
Dan Boyle, TB
-Despite recent reports that new ownership has changed their mind and would like both Ricahrds and Boyle to be moved, I see GM Jay Feaster realizing how important Boyle is and getting him signed to a new deal after dealing Richards and freeing up some cap space
Antoinne Vermette
-Unless he is part of a deal for Hossa, don't expect GM Bryan Murray to deal this young, inexpensive gem
Ray Emery or Martin Gerber, Ott
-Not many GMs will want either of their contacts or Emery's attitude
Jarrett Stoll, EDM
-Too important to Oilers' future
Jaromir Jagr, NYR
-Sather wants to hang on to the aging veteran who doesn't mesh with his new centers when he should really be finding wingers that can play with Drury and Gomez
Glen Murray, BOS
-The Bruins and their fans love Glen Murray and hope his goal-scoring comes in handy for the playoff push
Border Players--only moving for the right deal or if someone will take them...
Olli Jokinen, FL
-Jokinen claims he doesn't want to go and GM Jacques Martin has given mixed responses. If the rumored Stars deal is real, I see him going there, or if some other team puts together a huge package he'll be on the way, but anything less than a prospect robbing won't due
Sergei Fedorov, DET
-the aging center still provides great two-way play, and would be an asset to almost any team's 3rd or 4th line, but his moving will depend on Gm Scott Howson's asking price
Patrick Marleau, SJ
-He'll only be moving if it is for a player of Hossa or Richards caliber, the Sharks need to be good now
John-Michael Liles, COL
-Liles' puck-moving abilities haven't been up to par this year and rumors have been flying around throughout the season, but he'll be staying put is GM Francois Giguere can't get another relatively solid d-man plus more in return
Other likely movers if there are takers: Vaclav Prospal, TB; Ladislav Nagy, Brad Stuart, LA; Dwayne Roloson, EDM; Marek Malik, NYR
So, I realize with my suggestion of an under-active trade market, I could be made a fool of if tomorrow is the biggest deadline day in history or something, but that's OK. I hope that does happen for the sake of enjoying the day and to listen to some facts instead of just speculation.
Peter Forsberg just signed with one of my two favorite team's the Colorado Avalanche. I swear I was planning to put at the end of my post that he could surprise us and come back, but I forgot to add it after I couldn't find the article I'd planned on referencing...darn!
So, with two big fish off the market, how much will really happen on deadline day? I agree with Lamoriello and don't think this year's deadline day will be as active as the past two (25 trades last year). Don't get me wrong, there are still some big names that will likely be on the move, but the overall activity will be nearly stagnant unless one big trade happens early to set off the rest.
The big names that I see moving are Marian Hossa (definitely), Brad Richards (likely), and Bryan McCabe (possibly), but beyond that there seems to be mostly speculation. If the Hossa deal happens today or very early tomorrow morning, I think it will open up the market for teams that were waiting to take a stab at him. But, if Waddell doesn't finish that trade until the last minute, I don't expect too much tweaking to go on between other teams. I think Toronto interim GM Cliff Fletcher will end up being forced to move some younger players signed beyond this year, like Alex Steen and Nik Antropov, as McCabe was the only one of Sundin, Tomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, and Darcy Tucker, to even consider waiving his NTC.
I see the Sabres hanging on to Brian Campbell for the stretch drive and another playof push, as GM Darcy Regier usually dismisses the future when things are going well. If they have been having as much trouble as has been reported in signing Campbell, it would be wise to obtain something for him now as opposed to losing him after the season (Drury, Briere, cough!). If Campbell isn't moved, I see Regeir giving him a contract above market value some time between the end of the season and July 1 to ensure that he does not lose another UFA (mostly for the fans).
There is continued speculation that veteran LA defenseman Rob Blake will be moved, but he has stated that he has decided not to waive his NTC. Plus, he was recently out of the lineup with a stress fracture. The only way I see a deal going through is if it is to the Ducks (which I am not sure the Kings would deal with) or possibly the Sharks.
Players that have been speculated about that I don't see moving:
Michael Ryder, MTL
-The chemistry in Montreal is too good right now, and Ryder is just finding his game
Dan Boyle, TB
-Despite recent reports that new ownership has changed their mind and would like both Ricahrds and Boyle to be moved, I see GM Jay Feaster realizing how important Boyle is and getting him signed to a new deal after dealing Richards and freeing up some cap space
Antoinne Vermette
-Unless he is part of a deal for Hossa, don't expect GM Bryan Murray to deal this young, inexpensive gem
Ray Emery or Martin Gerber, Ott
-Not many GMs will want either of their contacts or Emery's attitude
Jarrett Stoll, EDM
-Too important to Oilers' future
Jaromir Jagr, NYR
-Sather wants to hang on to the aging veteran who doesn't mesh with his new centers when he should really be finding wingers that can play with Drury and Gomez
Glen Murray, BOS
-The Bruins and their fans love Glen Murray and hope his goal-scoring comes in handy for the playoff push
Border Players--only moving for the right deal or if someone will take them...
Olli Jokinen, FL
-Jokinen claims he doesn't want to go and GM Jacques Martin has given mixed responses. If the rumored Stars deal is real, I see him going there, or if some other team puts together a huge package he'll be on the way, but anything less than a prospect robbing won't due
Sergei Fedorov, DET
-the aging center still provides great two-way play, and would be an asset to almost any team's 3rd or 4th line, but his moving will depend on Gm Scott Howson's asking price
Patrick Marleau, SJ
-He'll only be moving if it is for a player of Hossa or Richards caliber, the Sharks need to be good now
John-Michael Liles, COL
-Liles' puck-moving abilities haven't been up to par this year and rumors have been flying around throughout the season, but he'll be staying put is GM Francois Giguere can't get another relatively solid d-man plus more in return
Other likely movers if there are takers: Vaclav Prospal, TB; Ladislav Nagy, Brad Stuart, LA; Dwayne Roloson, EDM; Marek Malik, NYR
So, I realize with my suggestion of an under-active trade market, I could be made a fool of if tomorrow is the biggest deadline day in history or something, but that's OK. I hope that does happen for the sake of enjoying the day and to listen to some facts instead of just speculation.
Peter Forsberg just signed with one of my two favorite team's the Colorado Avalanche. I swear I was planning to put at the end of my post that he could surprise us and come back, but I forgot to add it after I couldn't find the article I'd planned on referencing...darn!
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