Stefan Trade Deadline Preview
2014-03-07Dallas Stars: 41-18-7 (89 pts)
Buyers/Sellers: Buyers (cap space available)
Analysis: Sullivan and Raymond in the top six is questionable. Would benefit by adding a scoring winger to push the depth down. Backend has done enough all year but no offense being generated from the blueline. Lydman (18pts) is the best they have. Could benefit from a scoring winger and offensive defenceman.
Available Players:
- Forward: Jeff Skinner
- Defense: Ed Jovanovski
- Goal: Tim Thomas, the Stars number one reason for top spot in the division is unlikely to be moved by deadline but contract negotiations have yet to begin
Nashville Predators: 40-24-4 (84 pts)
Buyers/Sellers: Buyers (cap space available)
Analysis: No glaring needs but could benefit from upgrade of a skilled scorer. Could go a number of routes, try to capitalize now go out and get a couple rentals and figure out the contracts in the off season or could begin to make some moves for longer term assets
Available Players: Impending UFA’s all have potential to be moved before deadline
- Forward: Patrice Bergeron, Jason Pominville, Ryan Callahan, Matt Read
- Defense: Mike Green, Andy Green
- Goal: Ben Bishop could be the odd man out
St.Louis Blues 34-25-10 (78 pts)
Buyers/Sellers: Sellers
Analysis: St. Louis needs to be real active this trade deadline and move everyone and anyone they can for picks and prospects – still a lot of good talent to help out other teams
Available Players:
- Forward: Brad Richards, Gilbert Brule, Roman Cervenka, Louis Leblanc
- Defense: Anton Volchenkov, John-Michael Liles, Adam Pardy, Cory Sarich, Anton Babchuk
- Goal: Nicklas Backstrom, Jose Theodore, Jonas Gustavsson
Minnesota Wild: 32-23-12 (76 pts)
Buyers/Sellers: Sellers
Analysis: Iginla is likely to be the most sought after rental player since his contract is up at the end of the season. Minnesota will likely look to continue to build through the draft and add to the stable of prospects it has.
Available Players:
- Forward: Alex Tanguay, Jarome Iginla, Travis Zajac, Erik Cole, Brad Boyes
- Defense: Pavel Kubina, Ladislav Smid, Grant Clitsome, Matt Carkner,
- Goal: Antti Niemi
Winnipeg Jets: 32-23-11 (75 pts)
Buyers/Sellers: Buyers ($5 million available)
Analysis: Team went out and acquired Henrik Zetterberg to anchor the top unit. This team will make the playoffs as it currently is however the Jets are likley to go out and make a couple adjustments to try to find the right chemistry. Would greatly benefit in the addition of a 2nd line center. Ales Hemsky might need to be packaged as part of a deal for cap purposes. UFA’s are not likely to be moved out with team in the thick of the playoff race. Expect them to dangle assets like picks and prospects rather than make major roster moves.
Available Players:
- Forward: Ales Hemsky, Gregory Campbell, David Van Der Guilk, Jay Rosehill,
- Defense: Stephane Robidas,
Colorado Avalanche: 34-31-4 (72 pts)
Buyers/Sellers: Sellers
Analysis: Some good pieces to build around but talent drops off quickly. Might be time to shop around one of their prizes centers. Sean Monahan ready to make an impact next season they might not be too far from competing. Definitely a critical time for the club.
Available Players:
- Forward: Ryan Smyth, Shawn Horcoff, Tim Brent, George Parros
- Defense: Ian White, Tom Gilbert, Cam Barker,
- Goal: Nikolai Khabibulin
Chicago Blackhawks: 31-28-7 (69 pts)
Buyers/Sellers: Sellers?
Analysis: Could this be the year Chicago decides to shake the roster up. A great team on paper it has yet to translate into a playoff spot. The season could be too far gone to get into the playoffs but they still have plenty of talent to turn it around at any moment. With plenty of talent in the minors likely to push for a roster spot next season now could be the best time to move some of the underperforming veterans out.
Available Players:
- Forward: Jeff Carter, Daniel Alfredsson, Brandon Sutter
- Defense: Braydon Coburn, Ryan Suter
- Goal: Peter Budaj, Ilya Bryzgalov
