The Score Sports Forecaster was first out of the blocks with their NHL Season Preview for 2008-09, and the good folks at Andrew's Dallas Stars Page has a quick review of the magazine's preview of the Stars, but also the projected playoff teams and where they'll finish the season:
Western Conference
1.
Detroit Red Wings
2.
Dallas Stars
3.
Edmonton Oilers
4.
San Jose Sharks
5.
Chicago Blackhawks
6.
Anaheim Ducks
7.
Calgary Flames
8.
Phoenix Coyotes
Eastern Conference 1.
Philadelphia Flyers
2.
Washington Capitals
3.
Ottawa Senators
4.
Montreal Canadiens
5.
Pittsburgh Penguins
6.
Carolina Hurricanes
7.
New Jersey Devils
8.
New York Rangers
I'll have my projections by late September as we get closer to the season and we have a better idea of what the rosters will look like.
As for the Forecaster, you'll have to buy the issue (I don't get any kickbacks for this) to find out why they're ranking the teams as they have.
And since I'm going on vacation for a few days starting August 14th, this is as good a topic as any for you folks to discuss in the comments, and please, keep it clean!
One day after acquiring defenseman Joni Pitkanen from the
Edmonton Oilers the Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed him to a three year, $12
million contract, counting as $ 4million per season against the Hurricanes cap.
The Hurricanes are committing considerable coin to a player
who has yet to be play a game in their lineup so in a way it’s like a UFA
signing. It’s a considerable increase over the $2.4 million he earned last
season with the Oilers, an injury-filled one where he managed only 26 points in
63 games after two strong 40 + point seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers.
But Pitkanen could be that puck-moving blueliner the
Hurricanes have been lacking for the past two years and should be a significant
addition to their offensive attack, particularly on the power play.
Having dealt away Erik Cole to Edmonton for Pitkanen the $4 million for next season that would've gone to Cole now goes to their new defenseman.
One of the NHL’s long-rumored deals finally took place
today, as the Edmonton Oilers traded defenseman Joni Pitkanen to the Carolina
Hurricanes for forward Erik Cole.
The Hurricanes apparently tried to acquired Pitkanen last
summer from the Philadelphia Flyers before he was dealt to the Oilers, and
while Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe had hoped to re-sign Pitkanen, a restricted free
agent, his acquisition of Lubomir Visnovsky signaled the Finnish blueliner
wouldn’t be an Oiler much longer.
It’s a trade that on paper should address the needs of both
clubs. The Hurricanes were seeking a top-two puckmoving defenseman and the
Oilers were in the market for a top six forward.
The Hurricanes have to re-sign Pitkanen and he’s reportedly seeking
nearly $5 million per season, while Cole has another season remaining on his
current contract at $4 million.
The Edmonton Oilers have made their second trade this week.
Barely two days after trading Jarret Stoll and Matt Greene
to the LA Kings for defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky the Oilers today dealt forward
Raffi Torres to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Gilbert Brule.
It’s a move that’ll free up considerable cap space for the
Oilers. TSN reports Torres had two years and $5.15 million left on his current
contract while Brule has only one season at $765K left on his.
Oilers GM Kevin Lowe could be planning a major acquisition
either today or later in the week , as he’s hoping to land a top line forward,
leading to speculation Joni Pitkanen could be used as trade bait if Lowe fails
to land what he’s seeking in the UFA market.
This move could also benefit the Oilers down the road if
Brule should finally achieve the breakthrough season expected of him when the
Jackets selected him 6th overall in the 2005 entry draft.
Torres seemed poised for a breakthrough in 2005-06, scoring
27 goals and 46 points and 11 points in
22 playoff games for the Oilers during their magical run to the 2006 Stanley
Cup Finals, but his production declined the following season and last year
injury limited him to only 11 points in 32 games.
Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson was assistant GM with the
Oilers in 2006 and knows what potential the 26-year-old Torres could still have.
The Jackets desperately need experienced depth at forward and Torres could be a
strong addition to their third line.
Torres will be expected by demanding Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock to bring a more consistently serious effort to his game so it'll be interesting to see how he responds.
The Los Angeles Kings last night dealt defenseman Lubomir
Visnovsky to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for center Jarret Stoll and
defenseman Matt Greene.
As per the LA Times this move clears over $10 million in cap
space for the Kings although it’s uncertain if they’ll be making any
significant moves in the UFA market. It’s been rumored they might re-sign Brad Stuart, whom they
deal to the Detroit Red Wings at the February trade deadline.
For the Oilers it’s a more intriguing move, setting up the
possibility that Joni Pitkanen may have played his final season in Edmonton and
could either be dealt or signed away via offer sheet. Visnovsky is a
puck-moving defenseman but the Oilers were also believed in the market for a
scoring forward, which Pitkanen might land them in a deal.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have gotten a jump on the UFA market
in a big way over the weekend, acquiring the rights of forwards Ryan Malone and
Gary Roberts from the Pittsburgh Penguins and forward Brian Rolston from the
Minnesota Wild.
Malone re-signed a seven year, $31.5 million contract with
the Lightning on Sunday, which breaks down as $4.5 million per season against
their cap but is front-loaded to pay him between $7-$8 million per season in
the first two seasons, while Roberts is believed close to signing has signed a one-year, incentive-laden contract with the Bolts paying him a base of $1.25 million that could rise to $2.07 million if he achieves his bonuses.
It remains to be seen if they’ll get Rolston signed as it
could cost them around $5 million per season but evidently the Lightning’s new
ownership aren’t concerned about it otherwise they wouldn’t have wasted their
time.
If the Bolts should get all three under contract it’ll have
only cost them a third round pick in 2009 to the Penguins and a conditional
pick in 2009 or 2010 to the Wild.
While these moves should excite the Lightning fanbase it is
troubling to see them loading up at forward whilst doing nothing so far to
address their weaknesses in goal and on the blueline.
This summer’s UFA market is now short two defensemen as the
Colorado Avalanche announced Sunday the re-signing of Adam Foote and
John-Michael Liles.
Foote’s contract is for two-years, $6 million, which will
count as $3 million per season against the Avalanche’s cap, while Liles’ new
deal is reportedly four years at over $4 million per season.
It wasn’t unexpected to hear of Foote’s re-signing but Liles
was long rumored to be on his way out of Colorado, and he might’ve received
over $5 million on the UFA market. His agent however last week expressed a hope
that his client would be retained. Retaining both should provide stability to
the Avs defense corps.
The Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers made the first
significant trade of the off-season on June 6, as the Flyers shipped forward
Ryan Potulny to the Oilers in exchange for defenseman Danny Syvret.
The 23-year-old Potulny, who was drafted by the Flyers in
the third round of the 2003 entry draft, has spent the past three season split
between the Flyers and their AHL farm team the Phantoms. During that time he’s
played 44 NHL games, notching 7 goal and 14 points.
Syvret, 22, was the Oilers third round pick in the 2005
entry draft, and has spent the last three seasons split between the Oilers and
their farm system. He has 26 NHL games under his belt over two seasons but
spent all last season split between Springfield and Hershey in the AHL.
Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe is wasting little time in the off-season getting his restricted free agents under contract before July 1st.
Last Friday Lowe re-signed defenseman Tom Gilbert and forward Robert Nilsson to contract extensions, and on Monday he struck again, re-signing defenseman Denis Grebeshkov to a one-year extension believed worth around $1.5 million.
Grebeshkov reportedly wanted to sign a one-year contract to see how things work out next season before committing to a longer deal.
The Oilers are his third NHL team, having had short tenures with the LA Kings and NY Islanders, but this was his first full NHL season, which proved to be a good one for the 24-year-old, seeing action in 71 games and posting 18 points, respectable totals for a defenseman.
Lowe has said that the speed in which he’s re-signed some of his RFAs isn’t tied to the possibility of a rival team signing one of them away with an offer sheet, as he successfully did with Dustin Penner last summer.
Perhaps, but I’m willing to hazard a guess that it’s very much on Lowe’s mind, as he incurred the wrath of rival GMs last summer for signing Penner to an offer sheet and attempting to do the same with Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek, even though he was within his right to do so under the CBA.
It’s been suggested by some pundits that the Oilers best RFA players could be targets for offer sheets this summer, which would certainly explain why Lowe appears in a hurry to get those players under contract before this summer.
With Grebeshkov, Gilbert and Nilsson now re-signed, Lowe is expected to turn his attention to getting Joni Pitkanen and Jarret Stoll under contract.
Within hours of re-signing defenseman Tom Gilbert, Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe re-upped another of his young restricted free agents.
On Friday the Oilers signed forward Robert Nilsson to a three year, $5.5 million contract, which will pay him $1.5 million for next season and $2 million in each of the last two seasons, and will be approximately $1.83 million per season against the Oilers cap.
Nilsson joined the Oilers late last season as part of the trade that sent long-time Oiler Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders, and paid significant dividends this season. He chalked up 41 points in 71 games as part of the Oilers group of promising “young guns”, including Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano.
After a promising first full season with the Oilers more will be expected of Nilsson heading into next season, and if he keeps improving Lowe could be looking at considerably more to retain him in three years time. For now, Nilsson is an affordable re-signing with plenty of upside.
Lowe is obviously determined to waste little time in re-signing his restricted free agents. He’ll now turn his attention to Joni Pitkanen, Jarret Stoll and Denis Grebeshkov.
The Edmonton Oilers on Friday retained a key young member of their blueline corps, re-signing defenseman Tom Gilbert to a six-year contract believed worth around $24 million, or approximately $4 million per season against the Oilers cap.
Gilbert, 25, had a breakthrough performance with the Oilers in 2007-08, with 13 goals and 33 points in 82 games to lead all Oilers defensemen. His development may have been hastened this season by injuries to veterans Sheldon Souray and Joni Pitkanen.
Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe had to move quickly to re-sign Gilbert, as he was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1st, which would’ve made him eligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival team.
Given Lowe’s much publicized offer sheets made last summer to Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek and Anaheim’s Dustin Penner, the latter of which proved a successful move by Lowe, it’s a good bet a rival club would’ve made Gilbert a target for an offer sheet.
This move will likely arouse criticism from some that Lowe overpaid to retain a second-year player who had one good season, but given the offer sheet possibility it was one he had to make, rather than risk allowing a rival club to set Gilbert’s market price.
It could also prove to be a worthwhile long-term investment for the Oilers. Gilbert meshed well with the crop of rising young players who were primarily responsible for the club’s impressive – but ultimately futile – late season stretch run, saving what otherwise would’ve been considered another wasted year for the Oilers.
Lowe is betting that Gilbert has now established himself as the team’s top defenseman, and at 25 has yet to hit his prime, meaning this new $4 million per season salary could prove to be a bargain over the next six seasons.
Gilbert’s new salary will now push the Oilers payroll for next season to over $37 million invested in 14 players.
With incoming owner Darryl Katz promising to keep pace with the league’s salary cap, expected to rise as high as $56 million for 2008-09, Lowe could have almost $20 million in available cap space to work with this summer.
Don’t expect Lowe to go on another free agent shopping spree, as he recently told the Edmonton media he intends to invest for the most part in his young stars.
Other free agents Lowe has to consider re-signing includes RFAs Jarret Stoll, Robert Nilsson, Zack Stortini, Denis Grebeshkov and Joni Pitkanen.
Of these, Pitkanen could prove the hardest to retain. Acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers last summer in a multi-player trade, the injury-prone Pitkanen saw action in 63 games this season, putting up 26 points.
Rumors out of Edmonton claim Pitkanen could be seeking a significant raise this summer, possibly well over $5 million per season, to re-sign with the Oilers.
Lowe has plenty of cap space if he wants to re-sign Pitkanen, but it’s doubtful he’ll commit to a long-term deal for that much to a defenseman with his injury issues.
Indeed, Gilbert’s new contract suggests that Pitkanen might no longer be part of the Oilers future, as Lowe might be more willing to put his faith in Gilbert, Grebeshkov, Ladislav Smid and a hopefully healthy veteran in Sheldon Souray next season.
Lowe could pass on Pitkanen and pursue an experienced defenseman via the UFA market or perhaps with another offer sheet foray.
With the NHL season almost over, here’s a look at how the top free agents of 2007 (based on salaries of $5 million or more per season) have fared in the first season of their current contracts.
Oh, and for those nitpickers wondering why I’m doing this now (and my review of my season preview last Friday) given the handful of games remaining, it’s because I’m preparing to cover the upcoming playoffs and won’t have the time to do this at season’s end.
Anyway, stats are as of March 31, 2008,along with their projections in November 2007 and January 2008. The regular season ends on April 6, 2008. I’ll leave it up to you, the readers, to decide if they’re worth the money they’re getting.
Enjoy!
Daniel Briere, Philadelphia Flyers - 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $6.5 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 41 goals, 61 assists, 102 points. January 2008: on pace for: 32 goals, 49 assists, 89 points. March 31, 2008: 78 GP, 31 goals, 40 assists, 71 points, -23
Scott Gomez, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.357 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 14 goals, 44 assists, 58 points. January 2008: on pace for: 18 goals, 57 assists, 75 points. March 31, 2008: 77 GP, 16 goals, 53 assists, 69 points, +5.
Thomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.143 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points. January 2008: on pace for: 23 goals, 25 assists, 48 points. March 31, 2008: 79 GP, 32 goals, 28 assists, 60 points, -5
Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $8 million. Salary cap hit: $6.33 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 10 goals, 38 assists, 48 points. -14 January 2008: on pace for: 12 goals, 33 assists, 45 points. –2 March 31, 2008: 77 GP, 8 goals, 36 assists, 44 points, -3
Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche: - 2007-08 salary: $7.5 million. Salary cap hit: $6.25 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 21 goals, 28 assists, 50 points. January 2008: on pace for: 22 goals, 34 assists, 56 points (sidelined until late-February) March 31, 2008: 53 GP, 14 goals, 23 assists, 37 points, -3
Chris Drury, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $7.1 million. Salary cap hit: $7.05 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 17 goals, 34 assists, 51 points –3. January 2008: on pace for: 21 goals, 34 assists, 55 points, -21 March 31, 2008: 78 GP, 23 goals, 31 assists, 54 points, -4
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings: 2007-08 salary: $6.7 million. Salary cap hit. $6.7 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 24 goals, 65 assists, 89 points, +38. January 2008: on pace for: 30 goals, 66 assists, 96 points, +47 March 31, 2008: 79 GP, 31 goals, 53 assists, 94 points, +41.
November 2007: on pace for: 26-20-7, 2.50 GAA, .906 SP. January 2008: on pace for: 34-19-7, 2.33 GAA, .915 SP March 31, 2008: 34-17-6, 2.10 GAA, .923 SP
November 2007: on pace for: 12 goals, 43 assists, 55 points, +18 in 67 games. January 2008: on pace for: 10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points, +22 in 67 games. March 31, 2008: 63 GP, 12 goals, 27 assists, 39 points, +20.
Roman Hamrlik, Montreal Canadiens – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $5.5 million.
November 2007:on pace for: 7 goals, 31 assists, 38 points. +24. January 2008: on pace for: 5 goals, 27 assists, 32 points, +11 March 31, 2008: 74 GP, 5 goals, 20 assistss, 25 points, +7
Michael Nylander, Washington Capitals – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $4.875 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 20 goals, 52 assists, 72 points, -43 January 2008: sidelined for the season, was on pace for 21 goals, 50 assists, 71 points.
Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $5.5 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 39 goals, 59 assists, 98 points, +23. January 2008: on pace for: 36 goals, 53 assists, 89 points, +20. March 31, 2008: 74 GP, 32 goals, 46 assists, 78 points, +17.
Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $5.2 million. Salary cap hit: $4.2 million
November 2007: on pace for: 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points, +7. January 2008: on pace for: 21 goals, 21 assists, 42 points, 0 March 31, 2008: 77 GP, 23 goals, 18 assists, 41 points.
It’s been said that the best hockey of an NHL season isn’t truly seen until the playoffs, but in my humble opinion the race for the playoffs in the final month of the regular season can bring about excitement every bit as worthwhile as a playoff game.
This season is no exception, as once again several teams are battling to clinch the final two playoff berths in each conference, and every remaining game in this season for those teams carries the same importance as a post-season contest.
In the Eastern Conference, seventh and eighth overall are very much up for grabs, with the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers desperately clinging to those two berths, with the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals breathing down their collective necks.
As of this writing, only five points separate seventh-place Boston from 11th place Florida, with the Flyers, Capitals and Sabres sandwiched between them.
Looking at the standings as of March 19th, the Bruins have 83 points, the Flyers 82, the Capitals 80, Sabres 79 and Panthers 78.
Of these five team, the Capitals and Panthers have been red-hot, both clubs winning seven of their last ten games, which doesn’t bode well for the struggling Bruins (3-4-3), Flyers (4-3-3) and Sabres (4-4-2). If the Caps and Panthers can keep up their torrid pace they could end up playoff bound.
The race isn’t quite so close in the Western Conference, as a four-point gap separates the eighth overall Colorado Avalanche from the 9th overall Nashville Predators and the Avs also enjoy a five point gap over the 10th overall Edmonton Oilers.
As of March 19th the Avalanche had the same number of points (84) as the sixth overall Vancouver Canucks and seventh overall Calgary Flames. These three clubs appear to control their destiny over their final handful of games.
Still, these three clubs cannot afford a letdown. The Predators may be struggling (4-6-0 in their last ten games) but they’re not out of the hunt yet, and with 8 games remaining still have enough time to claw their way into a berth of the Avs, Flames or Canucks stumble.
The Oilers also cannot be completely counted out, having gone on a remarkable 8-2-0 streak in their last ten games and with 8 games remaining they too have enough time to catch those ahead of them if they falter.
Wouldn’t it be great if it came down to a final game of the season for one of these teams, as it did last year for the NY Islanders?
The Isles blew a two-goal lead in their final game of the 2007 season against the New Jersey Devils but won it in a shootout thanks to a savvy poke-check by Islanders backup goalie Wade Dubielewicz, clinching the last playoff berth in the East in a thrilling contest.
Consider this battle for the final playoff spots a primer for the upcoming 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. Who knows, maybe one of these teams could go on to become a “giant killer” in this year’s post-season.
With the NHL trade deadline now past the next notable round of player movement won’t occur until June, 2008, and most of it will be free agents signing with new teams.
While the focus as always will be on unrestricted free agents, this summer the threat of offer sheets is now a very real one, thus hockey fans will be nervously watching the contract talks of their favorite restricted free agent players as July 1st approaches.
Many teams haven’t wasted time this season, locking up their best RFA players to lengthy, long-term contracts now rather than risk another club either setting the price or plucking them away.
As a result, the list of the top RFA players has shrunk considerably since the start of the season, but there still remains some quality talent who, if unsigned by July 1st, could be tempting targets for offer sheets. It’ll be interesting to see how many of the following are re-upped by the end of June:
Anaheim: Corey Perry.
Columbus: Pascal LeClaire.
Detroit: Valtteri Filppula
Edmonton: Tom Gilbert and Joni Pitkanen.
Florida: Jay Bouwmeester.
Minnesota: Pierre-Marc Bouchard.
Montreal: Andrei Kostitsyn.
Nashville: Martin Erat, Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.
Defenseman #### Tarnstrom has been a fixture in the NHL rumor mill for several weeks this season, and on Friday he was finally dealt, although not to a team he’d been linked to in rumors.
Tarnstrom was shipped to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for winger Curtis Glencross in a move that has to be a bit of a surprise. The Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes have been seeking an experienced puck-moving blueliner for some time and were believed to have had some interest in him.
Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson is well aware of Tarnstom’s abilities, as he was assistant general manager with the Edmonton Oilers when Tarnstrom was part of the 2005-06 Oilers club that came to within one game of winning the Stanley Cup that season.
Tarnstrom’s best seasons however were his two with the Pittsburgh Penguins prior to the lockout, where he posted 41 and 52 points respectively. This season his totals were 5 points in 29 games with a plus-minus of –6, and he was often a healthy scratch.
His veteran experience however could provide invaluable depth to a Blue Jackets team that is battling to make the playoffs for the first time in team history.
Glencross is a physical checking forward who seemed to have found his niche this season with the Blue Jackets, notching 12 points in 36 games with a +3 rating. He could prove a good depth acquisition for the Oilers checking lines.
He’s also a restricted free agent after this season but having earned $522K this season with the Jackets should be an affordable re-signing if he adjusts well with the Oilers.
Oh, and here's a tip, folks, so that Tarnstrom actual name isn't bleeped out, adjust your settings...unless you get a kick out of seeing him referred to here as "BLEEP Tarnstrom".
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.
Back in November I took a look at how the most expensive players of the NHL's Free Agent Class of 2007 were faring at the 20 game point of the season.
Now that we've recently passed the mid-season point of the 2007-08 NHL campaign, here's a look at how they're faring now:
Daniel Briere, Philadelphia Flyers - 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $6.5 million.
Previously on pace for: 41 goals, 61 assists, 102 points. Currently on pace for: 32 goals, 49 assists, 89 points.
Scott Gomez, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.357 million.
Previously on pace for: 14 goals, 44 assists, 58 points. Currently on pace for: 18 goals, 57 assists, 75 points.
Thomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.143 million.
Previously on pace for: 21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points. Currently on pace for: 23 goals, 25 assists, 48 points.
Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $8 million. Salary cap hit: $6.33 million.
Previously on pace for: 10 goals, 38 assists, 48 points. -14 Currently on pace for : 12 goas, 33 assists, 45 points. -2
Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche: - 2007-08 salary: $7.5 million. Salary cap hit: $6.25 million.
Previously on pace for: 21 goals, 28 assists, 50 points. Currently on pace for : 22 goals, 34 assists, 56 points (Currently injured & sidelined until late-February)
Chris Drury, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $7.1 million. Salary cap hit: $7.05 million.
Previously on pace for: 17 goals, 34 assists, 51 points –3. Currently on pace for : 21 goals, 34 assists, 55 points, -21
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings: 2007-08 salary: $6.7 million. Salary cap hit. $6.7 million.
Previously on pace for: 24 goals, 65 assists, 89 points, +38. Currently on pace for: 30 goals, 66 assists, 96 points, +47
Previously on pace for: 12 goals, 43 assists, 55 points, +18 in 67 games. Currently on pace for: 10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points, +22 in 67 games.
Roman Hamrlik, Montreal Canadiens – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $5.5 million.
Previously on pace for: 7 goals, 31 assists, 38 points. +24. Currently on pace for: 5 goals, 27 assists, 32 points, +11
Michael Nylander, Washington Capitals – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $4.875 million.
Previously on pace for: 20 goals, 52 assists, 72 points, -43 Currently on pace for : sidelined indefinitely, was on pace for 21 goals, 50 assists, 71 points.
Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $5.5 million.
Previously on pace for: 39 goals, 59 assists, 98 points, +23. Currently on pace for: 36 goals, 53 assists, 89 points, +20.
Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $5.2 million. Salary cap hit: $4.2 million
Previously on pace for: 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points, +7. Currently on pace for : 21 goals, 21 assists, 42 points, +16
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.
