Trade Deadline Preview

Western Conference

Edmonton Oilers

Edmontonseems to be the team to beat in the West this year. With a well balanced team from lines 1-4 each lines has been “clicking” all year long. The time maybe now or never. Ryan Smyth, Sean Doan and Dan Boyle are all starting show their age. Their leadership and experience will be essential. If the Oilers fall short this year one will wonder what types of changes will transpire in the offseason. The team is incredibly deep at center and the wing is well balanced. The backend has a solid top 3 and with King Henrik in net they have a real shot at going the distance.

Needs: No real weakness but denfensive depth 4-5^th guy could make the difference.

Verdict: Selective Buyers.

Los Angeles Kings

This teams strength is in their blueline. Led by Bieksa and Burns the have a formidable top 4. Upfront the team is led by Patrik Elias and Tomas Pleckanec. This team has surprised many all season I think they will continue to as they enter the playoffs. As the old adage goes “Defense wins championships”. If this team can secure a top 6 forward look for them to become a serious threat in the West. With three 1^st round picks at his disposal is will be interesting to see if GM Vilaranda will make a bold statement come trade deadline.

Needs: Top six forward, preferably winger who can help add some punch.

Verdict: Buyer.

Chicago Blackhawks

Business as usual for Chicago. A perennial contender, they continue to boast one of the best bluelines in the league. Upfront there is no shortage of firepower. With Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Eric Stall to name a few its no wonder why they are always in contention. If there was question around the age of some of their players upfront there is no shortage of players waiting in the stables. As it stands experience is a commodity come playoff time, Brendan Morrow and Jerome Iginala will help out with that.

Needs: No real weakness but could shuffle the lines up as they have an abundance of quality centermen. A depth forward for the 4^th line could be useful.

Verdict: Select Buyers.

Vancouver Canucks

After a glorious playoff run which saw the Canucks come up just shy of claiming the MRFHL championship GM Rino focused on ensuring the core pieces of that Cup run returned for a second shot. Led by one of the most prolific defensemen ever Nick Lidstrom along with fellow European Big Z will anchor the backend. Up front the likes of Ovie, Gino and Stammer make a scary trio and arguably the leagues most talented front loaded team in the MRFHL. Finding the right combination for success will be Rino’s main concern heading into the trade deadline. Look for him to continue to fill the roster out with sandpaper and grit.

Needs: No pressing needs. The team is stacked and ready to finish what they started last year.

Verdict: Selective Buyers.

Phoenix Coyotes

Phoenixhave been quietly adding to the roster. One of their most recent acquisitions of Daniel Briere shows GM Brouillette is serious about post season success. The tandem of Spezza and Alfi should continue to produce dividends.  It will be interesting to see if GM Brouillette decided to pull the trigger on any additional trades. Any moves for additional players would need to be weighed against disturbing the team chemistry. Atop of Phoenix’s wishlist is likely a top 6 forward who can play with eithr Spezza or Briere and help push some quality role players down the depth chart.

Needs: A top 6 forward and 3-4 defensemen

Verdict: Buyers.

San Jose Sharks

A relatively quiet year for San Jose fans. Unlike previous years the Sharks GM will need to be active if he hopes to solidity a playoff spot and make it out of the first round. They have a formidable top 4 in the back end but up front Andy MacDonald and Brian Gionta can only do so much. The team will need secondary scoring and would benefit from a 2^nd line center to get Mikael Sammulesson going as Dominic Moore is likely better suited for 3^rd line duties.

Needs: 2^ND Line Center, secondary scoring.

Verdict: Buyers.

Detroit Red Wings

Rumors have been surrounding the Detroit Red Wings all year. Jaroslav Halak has been hot and cold all year which has led to speculation he could be moved at the trade deadline  or in the off season if Detroits fails to make the playoffs.  Detroit has a strong defense core and the firepower up front to make some noise. Their achillies heal is lack of depth on the wing. GM Lefebvre could continue to tinker with his lines but they might need to go out and acquire some talent to play with his big guns of Datsyuk, Giroux and Zetterberg.

Needs: Depth.

Verdict: Selective Buyers.

Calgary Flames

The Flames have been active leading up to the trade deadline by moving Jonathan Quick. In return they received additional assets to help them in their rebuild. GM Loftus is determined to build his franchise around Matt Duchene. He looks to be on the right track. He still has some assets at his disposal in the likes of Ales Hemsky, Mason Raymond and Ollie Jokinen and Andrew Brunette who could be of service to all playoff bound teams. Young notables include Tyler Ennis, Derek Stepan, Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund. It’s going to take some time for these players to reach their potential but by the looks of their backend time shouldn’t be a concern. Look for him to be active as usual leading up to trade deadline.

Needs: Young defensemen.

Verdict: Sellers.

St. Louis Blues

St. Louiscurrently finds them on the playoff bubble. The rest of the year will be a dog fight to get into the playoffs. With the experience of  Bertuzzi, Prospal, Sullivan, Kovalev , Modano and Nolan one wonders if this is St.Louis last shot before having to undergo massive changes in the offseason. The aging core of players could require a infusion of young blood. GM Finch will need to be creative come trade deadline in securing more help for their playoff push but also think about the future of the franchise.

Needs: How much gas is left in the tank? Young blood.

Verdict: Buyers.

Nashville Predators

Nashvilleis on the outside looking in but with experienced players like Cammalleri and Bergeron their hand remains steady. With a good mix of young and old if this team can make the playoffs teams would be wise not overlook them.  Solid in goal and good depth throughout this team could benefit with the addition of a 2^nd line center to make the 2nd line unit that much more potent with Jason Pominville and David Perron on the wings. Still GM Wilson has an abundance of options on the wing with Hornqvist, Higgins, Kostitsyn available to be juggled around.

Needs: Team is well balanced with a good mix present and coming up. Team can benefit by adding a 2^nd line center. Nice to have not need to have.

Verdict: Selective Buyers.

Colorado Avalanche

This team has a lot of potential. It just needs clear direction. The team could go either way, it could make a playoff push or decide to regroup. Now could be the time to trade some assets and rework the team, it would be expected the Avs would be looking for some help on the wing for the solid core of centers they have. This team can make some noise with the right acquisitions as they have some great pieces in Fleury, Staal , Sharp and Weiss. Should be interesting to see how the story unfolds.

Needs: 3-4 defenseman, Wingers

Verdict: Buy and Sell

Minnesota Wild

Another team rocked by scandal. The Wild were the unfortunate victim of one mans greed. Hollowed out of some key assets and left reeling, the league will take corrective action to help alleviate some of the pain. This organization will have an uphill battle but there are some bright spots in Vanek and Kipper that could be used to acquire some 1^st round picks and prospects if that is the direction the incoming GM decides to move.

Needs: a dedicated GM who will provide direction. 1^st round picks for this year and next if rebuild is the direction they are going in.

Verdict: Sellers.

Columbus Blue Jackets

With a fresh new GM and President of Hockey Operations Jerry Hussar, the Columbus franchise has a new lease on life.  The GM has wasted no time in upgrading the backend adding Paul Martin to a grizzly blue line. Look for Columbus to work the phones over the days leading up to the trade deadline. Hussar has made it clear first priority is to upgrade his goaltending as Antti Niemi’s public spat with head coach Bruce Boudreau has effectively punched his ticket out of Columbus.  If unable to secure his goaltender he will likely look to for an upgrade in supporting casts to Parise, Zajac, Havlat and Clowe. It seems Hussar will continue to mold the club into a contender sooner than later. Keep an eye out for the Blue Jackets.

Needs: The acuqisiton of Martin helped to alieviate the aging blueline the team could require another influx of youth.  2^nd line Center would help the depth.

Verdict: Buyers.

Anaheim Ducks

No longer Mighty but the Ducks are on the road to rebuilding. Still  there are some promising pieces in place to build around. Goligoski, Ladd, Ladeskog and TJ Oshie and all their draft picks ensures a steady but surely rebuild. The team will likely be busy in the free agency period but one of the largest concerns will landing a top-end goaltender.

Needs: Goaltender will be a priority. More youth.

Verdict: Sellers.

Dallas Stars

GM O’Byrne has shown great patience in amassing some of the most promising array of prospects. Building through the draft has been a strategy is has kept to. As the fans of Dallas grew impatient GM O’Byrne made a statement by going out and acquiring Mike Richards to anchor the first line. The years of drafting have bared fruit in Taylor Hall and Jeff Skinner. GM O’Byrnes approach to building a perennial contender remains on track but there are a lot of holes to fill even with all the prospects he has ammased. Look for him to work the wire to address some of these concerns. The backend will likely be his top priority.

Needs: Defense.

Verdict: Seller.