Trade Deadline Preview

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers have been outstanding this year.  Defense has been a key contributor to teams success but don’t count out the offense they have been generating. The team is ready for a run and now more than ever it might be time to add another piece.

Needs: Right wing depth. Drop off in talent after Selanne but maybe he is all you need.

Verdict: Buyers

Florida Panthers

This is new territory the Florida Panthers are entering. Unlike previous years of playoff less hockey the Panthers enter and are looking to make a serious run. The recent success can been attributed to some key additions like Sid the Kid, Bobby Ryan and now Jonathan Quick this team is looking set for years to come with plenty of youth in the pipes. They have some good role players and are poised to pounce.

Needs:  2^nd line center could help the team go the distance.

Verdict: Buyers

Ottawa Senators

With a whirlwind of controversy surrounding the club which brought about the immediate removal of the old regime by the league for tampering, it remains to be seen what changes will be coming to the Ottawa Senators. It is expected the newly appointed GM Corey Bennett will not be icing the current roster as the league has yet to decide upon a course of action penalizing the organization.

Needs: It is unclear what the current roster will look like but

Verdict: Buyers. Despite the uncertainty Ottawa is likely to keep key components to their success this year. They may need to fill in the gaps via trade but the direction the organization takes will be dictated by the  newly appoint GM.

Tampa Bay Lightning

TampaBayremains in top of the Eastern Conference with due to good goaltending and team chemistry. The question is how far they will go in the playoffs? Tampa’s backend is solid so the focus should be on shoring up some help up front. Despite the aging roster Tampa Bay has help coming up with Colin Wilson and Sean Couturier ready for primetime minutes next season.

Needs: Forwards.

Verdict: Buyers. The Lightning have arguably the best goaltending tandem in the MRFHL. Should they decide to deal one by trade deadline it would likely be for help upfront for the present and future.

New Jersey Devils

The season can already been deemed a success. No MRFHL analyst pegged New Jersey to be sitting this high in the Eastern Conference. The unsung hero’s of Matt D’Agostini and Jason Blake have helped turn the team around in one short year. Looking forward some bright spots include Zac Dalpe, Beau Bennett and Joel Armia could help out upfront as early as next season. With that said there remains a number of question marks for the future of the organization. The defense core remains solid but there is a glaring gap in net. Trade deadline may require candidate GM JP Kiellerman to continue to be creative.

Needs: Goaltending, Forward(s)

Verdict: Neutral. Could make a couple acquisition geared towards the future but will be balancing act to maintain a strong finish.

Pittsburg Penguins

Well rounded team and no real weakness. The Pens always seem to be a piece away from the Championship. Look for GM Bennett to try and address the need for some more firepower. The addition of a second line center could help secondary scoring. The team is stocked with talents character players who can all chip in. GM Bennett has some assets available in Kuznetzov, Phillips and Beaulieu at his disposal. Bright future for the Pens with Schnieder and Reimer ready for to take the reigns. Look for deep playoff run.

Needs: Nothing pressing. Some additional firepower up front never hurt anyone but the competition.

Verdict: Selective Buyers.

Washington Capitals:

The Capitals have had great chemistry and been a pleasant surprise in the standings. GM, John Vonk as turn the club around in a short period of time and could be a candidate for GM of the year. The depth is their greatest asset having said that their seems to be a glaring gap in a legitimate goaltender JS Giguere has been suspect throughout the year, backup Yan Denis has been great when called upon but this tandem will unlikely hold up past the first round.

Needs: Consistent Goaltending

Verdict: Buyers

New York Islanders:

The defending MRFHL Campion’s are in tough this year. They will likely make the playoffs and should be poised to make some noise with their current roster as it has remained unchanged since their Championship run. Despite this they will be entering the playoffs surrounded by uncertainty with no General Manger in place it remains unseen if they can make a move to bolster their lineup to have a legitimate shot at repeating.

Needs: Strong team all around. A little weak on the left wing but nothing that can’t be cured.

Verdict: Buyers. Need to get a General Manager in place before they can be considered for a repeat.

New York Rangers:

The Rangers are a team in transition. GM Grote is in the midst of a team overhaul but has found success this season.  Building for the future seems to be the motto now at days but trying to build upon the present success it continues to be balancing act for GM Grote. Bright spots include Jonathan Huberdeau, Nick Bjustad, Oscar Klefbom, Ryan Murphy and three 1^st round picks to boot. The team still has great pieces (Marleau, Versteeg ) to offer to teams that decide to make a playoff run but savvy GM Grote will likely only move them if the price is right.

Needs: Right Winger and Center for present and future.

Verdict: Seller. Despite the success there is a lot of hockey still to play its unlikely they will keep the current spot unless they do something to bolster the talent upfront and after declaring organizational restructuring its unlikely GM Grote will waiver for his current course of action.

Winnipeg Jets:

Welcome back Winnipeg. Too bad the rest of the league isn’t going to be as happy to play in Winnipeg in the future. The team is poised to undergo a massive rebuild spurred by recent trade activity it is clear the Jets will be looking to continue to build through the draft and restock the cupboard. Boasting four 1^st round picks in this years draft they will likely trying to accumulate additional picks and younger players. Most of their big names were moved out months before the draft. Jack Johnson is unlikely to be moved as he is the perfect candidate to build a defense core around.

Needs: MRFHL ready youth, prospects and picks.

Verdict: Seller.

Montreal Canadians:

The team isn’t too far off from competing. The organization, led by Anze Kopitar, Joffery Lupul, Joe Pavelski  & Erik Cole up front the Canadians can retool and compete next year. Not likely to make it into the playoffs this year they are better suited to regroup and gear up for next season. With two 1^st round picks this year and Vladamir Tarasenko and David Runblad a season or two away it looks like they are doing just that.

Needs: Goaltending. The most pressing issue is the goaltending situation. Look for Montreal to make strong push to acquire a more reliable goaltender and for help up front but don’t expect big splashes.

Verdict: Seller.

Boston Bruins:

The enigma that is the Boston Bruins. After a promising free agency and signing a marquee goalie in Ryan Miller, the Bruins looked to elevate their game to elite.  The young Bruins were not up for the challenge and after a rough start to the season GM Valente went out and acquired the Sedin twin in an attempt to turn the season around. Nothing seemed to work. It seems the Bruins will be stripping away the non-core assets in attempt to continue the plan of building through the draft and insulating the current core with players that will grow with the team as it matures.

Needs: Defense, outside of Weber there is no bonified number 2

Verdict: Sellers.

Buffalo Sabers:

The Sabers were off to a strong start but quickly faded. The Sabers find themselves in a similar conundrum as the Bruins. With stellar defense core of young Erik Karlsson, Kieth Yandle and Zach Bogosian there is plenty to build around. The team remains full of promise with forwards like Dustin Brown, Joe Thornton, Mikko Koivu, Nathan Horton and Chris Stuart their current underachievement is mind boggling. With that said they could be one or two piece away from putting it all togther. If GM Lockey decided to make the moves before deadline or in the off season remains to be seen.

Needs: Defensive defensemen

Verdict: Neutral. Its unlikely any large waves will be made prior to deadline.

Carolina Hurricanes:

Another team shrouded in controversy it is a tragic story of a once vibrant franchise. In the wake of a scandle that rocked the MRFHL it will likely take some time for the organization to recover. Unfortunatly the Hurricanes don’t have much to work with in terms of assets. Their greatest assets in Brian Elliott and Nathan Gerbe are unlikely to be moved. Nick Leddy and Tim Erixon are of the only high end prospects. The Carolina Hurricanes will likey need to go shopping in the offseason and use some of the massive cap space available.

Needs: Youth, Pick, Prospects.

Verdict: Sellers.

Toronto Maple Leafs:

Its been one of the most entertaining teams to watch this past year. Not the on ice product rather the new look of the team on paper. GM Ron Dubin another noteworthy candidate for GM of the Year with the great turnaround it seems things are looking up for the Maple Leafs organization. Look for GM Dubin to continue to be active in working the wire to move out some depth players for additional picks, prospects and youth. If one had to venture a guess the Maple Leafs will be competing sooner rather than later.

Needs: Youth, Picks, Prospects.

Verdict: Sellers.