With the NHL’s trade deadline fast approaching here’s my take on some players thought to be possible trade bait and who might be on the move by February 26th:
Mats Sundin: As long as the Toronto Maple Leafs have a shot at a playoff berth, he won’t waive his “no-trade” clause.
Marian Hossa: The Atlanta Thrashers are trying to re-sign him leading to speculation that if he’s not re-signed by the deadline he’ll be shopped. If the Thrashers are still in the playoff chase I suspect GM Don Waddell won’t move him, but if not, he could indeed hit the trade block.
Alex Tanguay: His name’s popped up this past week due to media concerns about the Calgary Flames off-season cap issues, but he’s denied seeking a trade or being asked to waive his NTC. I suspect Flames GM Darryl Sutter could retain him for the upcoming playoffs and perhaps consider shopping him in the off-season.
Olli Jokinen: Ever notice that it’s Canadian-based media outlets that often report the Florida Panthers captain could be traded? Ever notice that to date they’ve yet to be right?
Rob Blake: He says he hasn’t agreed to waive his NTC or asked to waive it, but the possibility exists that this LA Kings blueliner could be playing elsewhere by February 26th.
Jaromir Jagr: If the NY Rangers were to shop him I have my doubts there’d be many takers given his low production this season and his reputation for moodiness.
Patrick Marleau: A fixture in the rumor mill since last April, his below-average stats and the expensive ($12.6 million) two year contract (with a no-trade clause) beginning next season should keep him in the Shark tank.
Dan Boyle and Vaclav Prospal: Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster suggested that if the club fails to make a playoff push he could be forced into making some cost-cutting moves, leading to speculation impending UFAs Boyle and Prospal could be part of those moves.
Brian Campbell: He’s postponed his contract talks with the Buffalo Sabres until the off-season. That’s led to trade speculation that Sabres GM Darcy Regier rejected, claiming he hopes to re-sign Campbell. I believe him.
Maxim Afinogenov and Dmitri Kalinin: The former has struggled offensively this season and the latter’s eligible for UFA status this summer. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Sabres trying to move either guy by the deadline.
J.P. Dumont: The Nashville Predators might not have enough money available this summer to re-sign him and if they’re out of the playoff race in a month’s time could consider shopping Dumont.
Michael Ryder: The Montreal Canadiens aren’t expected to re-sign him after this season and could try to move him in the coming weeks. His sub-par production this season however could hurt his trade value.
Nikolai Khabibulin: I wouldn’t doubt Chicago Blackhawks management would love to dump the remaining year and $6.75 million on his contract, but that and his poor performance this season won’t make him enticing to anyone at this year’s deadline.
Yanic Perreault: The Chicago Blackhawks could try to peddle this faceoff specialist to a Stanley Cup contender.
#### Tarnstrom: He’s been considered the odd man out on the Edmonton Oilers blueline, and with some teams seeking a veteran puck-moving defenceman Tarnstrom could attract some attention leading up to the deadline.
Keith Carney: This blueline veteran was a frequent scratch in the first half of this season, and he could end up shopped by the Minnesota Wild in the coming weeks.
Christian Backman: Plenty of speculation the St. Louis Blues could shop a defenceman for depth elsewhere in the roster, and Backman’s name has been floated as part of those rumors.
Bear in mind, folks, that this is only a quick observation of who might or might not be dealt. There are likely to be players that no one suspected as trade bait who could be traded by February 26th, and that most of the above-mentioned players could end up staying with their respective teams.
Feel free to chip in with names you think might be on the move by the deadline. It'll be interesting to review this list and your takes after February 26th.
1. Consider 29 of 30 NHL still realistically have a chance of making the playoffs, it's hard to imagine most of these players being moved unless teams get something good in return, and no one in the hunt is going to give up something good.
2. That leaves us with the only team really out of it, which is the Kings. I 100% believe Blake will be on a contender by the deadline. Plus, the Kings are loaded with players that would move like to move, but will most likely find no takers such as Stuart, Preissing, and Handzus.
3. This leaves only role players or players no longer needed such as Khabibulin, Carney, or Backman.
- Khabibulin must be packaged with something good to be moved, or else this would be like a NBA trade where it's more about moving salaries than actually getting something in return.
- Carney has been solid wherever he has played. His price should be relatively cheap. He will be picked up.
- Backman...who really cares. I don't imagine him to become a Brad Boyesl, underperforming player involved in a minor deadline trade that turns into the steal of the year.
Great post Spec. I was off today in observance of Dr. King's holiday, ad got to listen to quite a bit of the XM Hockey radio. It seemed like the recurring theme was that the "no trade" or 'no movement" clauses are really hampering deals. That plus poor cap management (but that is for another time). It maybe a good topic to look at when the next CBA comes up is the granting of these clauses. Almost every player has one.
As for Patrick Marleau, I can't see DOug Wilson trading him, unless Marleau wants out. I have read that he and Ron Wilson don't get along, but his high contract and less than expected results diminsh his value. He doesn't move unless he really wants out. And he won't go to a Western Conference team.
The salary cap and parity in the NHL lead me to believe no major deals will get done. Although I still don't understand Regier's problem.... why do all of his contract negotiations break-down/don't begin until the offseason?
Last edited by thecatch22 on January 21st at 9:41 PM.
Brad Stewart would be a great move for alot of teams. I beleve there is a reason why the Kings gave him just a one year deal. And with no commitment beyond this season he would be a low cost attractive blueliner.
Same above for Nagy.
Tom P and Handzus are in the first year of long term deals making them almost untradeable.
The wild card on the Kings is Cammy.
He is one season from UFA and really hates LA
he is young but a very streaky scorer,
The other guy I could see being moved out of LA is Kyle Calder or Derek armstrong
Of course he will trade Lubo and Frolov for a 7th round pick in 2034
The Blue Jackets have a young core with Zherdev, Nash, Hainsey, Klesla and Leclaire. I don't see how Federov and Peca fit into their plans long term. Though Federov is out tonight with an upper body injury, Modin is back in the line-up. I think Columbus could move a veteran forward at the deadline.
I have to disagree with the thought that Jagr wouldn't appeal to many teams. He's in the last year of his deal, and part of his contract is still being paid out by the Caps. Find me a contending team with at least a couple of European forwards for him to skate and he'll be a great fit.
As for his diminished production, that's a result of the fact that the current Ranger centers are better suited for a dump and chase mentality rather than the Euro style they had with Nylander.
I agree that Buffalo may move Kalinin or Afingenov. Kalinin's time has ran out. He is a good player, but I think they thought he'd be a All-Star d-man by now. Youngsters Webster and Sakera had great debuts ealier this season and that could mean Kalinin's exit is coming. Afinogenov is overpaid and underperforms. Way too many give aways and not enough two-way play. The emergence of Drew Stafford and rookie Clarke MacArthur make him trade bait. I look for Ales Kotalik to figure in the trade activity too!
The Detroit papers report Chris Chelios approached Blake about coming to the Red Wings (approached unofficially) and that Blake was favorable to the idea. Personally, I don't see it. The Wings might tweak in a role player, but, then again, if they made a big time move, it would be on defense.
The Carolina Hurricanes have had major injuries over the last couple months, but even healthy they are a bit thin on the blue line. Kaberle hasn't played too well and Hedican has been hurt a lot. They could really use a big time D-man, and Blake fits the bill, though a Carney would suffice. BLEEP Tarnstrom may end up in Raleigh, being a puck mover. They need that. Badly.
i would love to see spec's analysis of what teams are most likely to make a move as opposed to what players are most likely to move. His insider's viewpoint could put paid to a lot of speculation. He is more likely to know who will make a desperate move and who will hold the line.
For example, I have been hearing all year that the Canucks are going to trade some youth (Edler, Bourdon, Schneider, Raymond, etc.) and draft picks for some secondary scoring punch or a even first line scoring punch(Sundin). I am not so sure.
Nonis the GM has been very conservative with his assets since getting burned at the deadline the first year after the lockout. Since then the team has been (slowly) rebuilding what (three years ago) was one of the worst prospect piles in the league. Given that they have a ton of salary freeing up this summer to go after some UFAs for secondary scoring I hope they don't throw away some of their hard earned prospects now. As much as I would love to see Sundin in an canucks uniform I wouldn't want to see us give up what will be needed to get him just for a four month rental.
I hope the Philadelphia Flyers make a trade and get some solid defense help. They're really weak there. Forget Sundin from Toronto, they need good solid defensemen. Trade 1 of there goalies and get a solid defensemen.
The Flyers are not really weak on defense. It's true they have their issues..too many turnovers and shots on net, but when you look at last year and around the league, you'll see there's a lot of clubs in much more dire need. How can any team featuring Jason Smith, Derian Hatcher AND Kimmo Timonen be weak on D? They have opportunities, and I'm not saying I wouldn't be interested in looking at what's out there come the deadline, but you're not going to get a significant upgrade. Who's dangling a top level D-man? As to the goalie situation, I don't see Philly even trying to trade a goalie this season if at all. They don't even know who's going to end up being the starter for the playoffs at the moment. Their power play is deadly, they've gotten clutch performances from nearly all their new talent, and they've had a steady effort for most of the year. I wouldn't be too concerned about a blockbuster move.
What are the genuine chances of R. Blake going to the Wings? Is this idle chat or realistic given the finances and logistics? As a wing fan, I am not comfortable with Ilyia or Lebda and would love an upgrade (but maybe this sounds spoiled given all the great top 4 d-men that the wings already have.
Last edited by steelydoug on January 24th at 12:18 AM.
Are there any third line centers out there who could get moved? maybe eric perrin or todd marchant? i think montreal could be interested in either of them for faceoffs and agitation.
Unless there is another team that wants Tanguay so much that they're prepared to offer up a decent prospect and/or draft pick(s) now just to keep him off the market (which I doubt), I would fully expect that Darryl Sutter will hold on to Tanguay for the playoffs and deal him in the off-season. I would expect another deal around draft time like the one that brought Tanguay to the Flames in the first place.
Like an old girlfriend, players tend to look better when you haven't seen them in action for a while, so the return on Tanguay will be better then than between now and the trade deadline. But there's no question -- Tanguay's done in Calgary after this year.
Last edited by StanMan on January 27th at 9:49 AM.
No way Buffalo moves Kotalik, he is playing way to good and his price is right where Darcey and Tommy like it....cheap! If they do lose Campbell watch the season ticket holders and the suite business run away from HSBC arena. I haven't seen a love affair end this quick since Madonna and Sean Penn, back to reality for Galosano and Quinn. Time to put your egos aside and start signing your key players. The fine Middle class folks in Buffalo can't afford to pay for a loser.....ask the Regis family!
Last edited by Backstraps on January 29th at 1:53 PM.
I'm a big leafs fan and, i feel that the leafs are just going to slide threw another season without with being a stanley cup contender once again! What ever hapened to blowing up the team?
Trading a majority of the players could not hurt the team more than whats going to happen this season once again. All im saying if i had season tickets i would like to see something done!
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
