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To trade or not to trade

ERIC DUHATSCHEK

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 9:07 PM EST 23/01/08

Duhatschek looks at the fast-approaching NHL trade deadline and some of the tough decisions facing teams
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  1. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: The Hat with more musings. A delightful read.

    Calgary has already decided what they need by signing Cujo. Ducks and Wings stand pat and 'Nucks stand pat with Luongo (goalies win cups, they don't get noticed unless they are named Dryden and Parent).

    In the East, the only goalie to match is Brodeur. Ottawa has firepower but the defending is suspect. Blake to Ottawa or Montreal? Ollie the goalie to Ottawa?

    It all hinges on how can a team make itself better, without a meltdown in the dressing room. Which is probably why Mariposa Belle hasn't been offered a GM position.

    But as the Globe is a Toronto newspaper, I would guess that the Leafs do nothing and ride with their current squad.
  2. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Blake to Ottawa makes a ton of sense.

    Ollie the goalie isn't going anywhere.... and he has stated as such.

    With Crosby out for maybe 4 weeks...... where is that going to leave Pittsburgh?

    Maybe Hossa to either Montreal or Pittsburgh?

    And what about Tampa Bay? Do they give up Richards?

    Toronto will be sellers unless the entire eastern division goes in the tank over the next 4 weeks.... and Toskala turns into the second coming of Terry Sawchuk.

    Cheers
  3. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Scot - the eternal Leaf problem - fish or cut bait. I suggest they cut bait.

    No team in the East is going to look at the Leaf roster to see what can help the squad (altho' Woz for Spartacat seems fair) for fear that later the trade will bite them.

    Pens stay put - they make the playoffs and Sid is one for the decade.

    Hossa to Montreal? - I'm with you on that.

    I do have a question on all this - when has a rent-a-star brought Stanley to the neighbourhood. The only one I can think of is Bourque and Blake to the Avs - why does everyone think that the addition of one veteran player brings the silverware based on one example.
  4. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Here is one for you Mariposa;

    I heard that Brian Burke said that Edmonton's first round pick (from the Penner signing) *was on the table.

    Would you trade Sundin to Anaheim for a player and that pick?

    How about Andropov?
  5. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Hi Mariposa;

    Acutally.... Bourque didn't win till his second year in Colorado. Not sure on Blake.

    The only two that come to mind (and are usually mentioned during the marthon coverage of the trade deadline) are Butch Goring to the NYI and Ronnie Francis to Pittsburgh.

    As for my Leafs.... The question is as always... who the hell is in charge? Personally.... I don't think they can find a better person to pull the trigger than JFJ. Only because he has been "in the loop" for the full three years of the salary cap.

    Sundin, Andropov and Kaberle would all fetch at least a prospect and a high draft pick... minimum.

    Tucker and Poni... a decent draft pick or two.

    Gill might fetch something as well... low salary.... good for next year and he is having a great year. (He would be an upgrade on Luke Richardson).

    Kubina? Raycroft? Doubt it.

    Kilger and Devereaux would be useful additions to someone trying to bolster their third and fourth lines.

    Wozniewski? Not even a puck and a stick.
  6. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Just checked Rob Blake out on NHL.com.

    He did come over to Colorado for the Stanley cup winning season.... but he wasn't considered a "turn around" player because the AVS were so deep that year.

    Cheers.
  7. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Scot - I did reply to you 1:24 post but it seems to have vanished between keyboard and screen (I think I mentioned Woz and Spartacat in the same sentence).

    Trades are going to be few are far between this year. I think the Western division is set with Cujo being the major signing. If Toronto is going to deal, where does Sundin go for 1-3 years to win a Cup?

    As a Ottawa fan - my fear is Jersey.
  8. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Mariposa; 1:16am... Woz and Spartacat :)

    Sundin will only be a rent a player. He is serious about finishing his career in Toronto.

    Andropov, Tucker, Kaberle and Gill all have at least a year left.

    I think you are going to see Blake move out of LA, Hossa and maybe others out of Atlanta, Somebody out of Tampa and who the hell knows out of Toronto.
  9. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Further to my last post.....

    Buyers in the west will be Vancouver.... offense. San Jose... offense and Anaheim.... offense.

    Calgary will do something.. (Tucker maybe?) but not like the other three.

    Wonder if Marleau will be available out of SJ? He only has 22 points this year.
  10. Jasper the Black Lab from Vancouver and Elsewhere, Canada writes: If the Canucks stand pat (again), there will be calls for Nonis' head (again), because this team as presently constituted is only first- or second-round playoff material (again).
  11. Swifty J from Mariposa, Canada writes: More examples of successful rentals: Niewendyk to Dallas; Recchi and Weight to Carolina. The key is that the buyer should be on the cusp, not a middle-of-the-pack outfit looking to make a big jump right away.

    As a Habs fan, the idea of landing Marian Hossa is of course appealing, but he wouldn't fill a primary need and it's unlikely that Atlanta will be a seller anyway.

    What the Habs could really use now is a defenceman to round out the top 4 -- the D drops off pretty quickly after Markov, Komisarek, Hamrlik -- and a centre who can be what Smolinski was supposed to be and/or bring added punch to the offence.
  12. Stephen Derraugh from Ottawa, Canada writes: A few quick thoughts: Emery to LA; Sundin to Anaheim; Federov to Ottawa; Hossa to the Habs; Blake to Ottawa.

    Ottawa needs an upgrade in D to compete deep into the playoffs (I don't want to talk about goltending). The Caps have 'Anaheimed' them 4 times this years. You press/force the D with an aggressive forecheck and put out a fast/aggressive checking line agaist the top line and you can shut Ottawa down.

    We may see Reden take leave, if he will waive his no-trade clause, to Edmonton or Cargary, which opens up a whole new realm...
  13. Jasper the Black Lab from Vancouver and Elsewhere, Canada writes: Tucker to Calgary is an interesting speculation - that is just about the only place in the League where I see a fit for him.

    Blake swapped for Emery could work for both teams.

    Altanta should realize they are sellers not buyers at the deadline. They sure blew it last year somehow believing they were "on the cusp."
  14. Baked Pot8o from Canada writes: If Im Ottawa Im taking a good look at Blake. This guy could come in and settle Redden down and seriously improve their defence. Emery does sound like a possibility....but I dont think Ottawa wants to be w/o someone else behind Gerber.. given his post season troubles last year.

    As for Sundin to Anaheim... how can they fit that in the cap space? Someone w/ a big contract would have to be coming to TO.. especially if Teemu is coming back...they dumped MacDonald for Weight to make the cap sit. work for Scott to come back into the fold.

    Hmm Tucker out west eh? I believe the same rumours started up last year around this time...for Lombardi maybe? Im just throwing a name out there....I agree w/ Mats being a rent a player...I just hope they can get him for a hometown discount come July.
  15. Celine Brown from Canada writes: How did this guy manage to write four pages on this? Does the Glub not have editors?
  16. Lon Kimsa from Huntsville, Canada writes: what are you people talking about?? why in hell would you trade Kaberle? he's 27 years old, not even in his prime and has terrific upside to a re-building team.

    You people make me laugh, armchair GM's, who have no clue, never played the game, but know it all...give me a break!

    hey Marisposa, where is Sundin going for 3 years? obviously you have zero knowledge of hockey affairs. if he goes anywhere (which I still doubt is going to happen), he'll go back to the leafs on July 1, 2008

    best of luck in you fantasy worlds...
  17. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Lon Kimsa from Huntsville, Canada writes: what are you people talking about?? why in hell would you trade Kaberle? he's 27 years old, not even in his prime and has terrific upside to a re-building team.

    You people make me laugh, armchair GM's, who have no clue, never played the game, but know it all...give me a break!

    ----------------------------

    Is that right Lon?

    Kaberle will be 30 in march of this year. A career plus 56..... he is a combined plus 1 over the last 3 years. (Minus 1 this year).

    He is seriously soft in his own end. How many soft Leaf defensemen do they need?

    Although a month ago I would never have suggested trading him.... The idea of blowing up the team has become very appealing to me.

    Upside on Kaberle? His skating and passing skills.... and the fact that he has 3 years to go at 4.25m.
    He could attract as much or more than Sundin at the trade deadline.

    btw; I have played for 45 years.... still do... twice a week all year round. I have coached. I have seasons tickets at the ACC.

    Armchair GM? Without a doubt.... as for having a clue.... I think I have more than that.

    Cheers
  18. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Lou - my comment on Sundin was 1-3 years, like Bourque in Colorado. If he is traded and gets close, but not the Cup, he might want to stay.

    But I suppose Mats is your best friend and he told you personally he would come right back to the zoo if he was traded away.
  19. Spam Fritters from Republic of LaLaLand, Canada writes: Canucks have a problem scoring - need a second line. They also will need to know if Captain Naslund is finished or if he can become productive again with the right centreman, as his 6 million dollar contract is up at the end of this year. Their second line centre, Brendan Morrison, is out with wrist surgery for an extended length of time (full arm cast is not off yet), and who knows whether he'll be able to produce offensively come play-off time?! The clock is running on having Luongo in the fold (2 more years under contract after this one), and it might become too expensive to re-sign him next time. The Canucks have to get serious about a Cup run NOW! They will be willing to rent Sundin if the asking price is not ridiculous! (A reunion with 'Team Sweden' on the West Coast might convince Sundin to waive his 'no-trade clause). Say a young defenseman (Bourdon or Edler), as Ohland and Bieksa should be back long before the play-offs begin, and a young third or fourth line forward or a draft pick. They might even be willing to pick-up Tucker in the package to add some passion and grit in return for another starter. Providing he returns healthy, Morrison might be available as with Sundin, the Canucks would have Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler as starting centremen, and Morrison has been making $ 3.2 million - not a fourth liner's wage! (by the way, Morrison's contract is up for renewal at the end of this year, and his performance in the last two doesn't warrant a raise - still has great wheels, is in his early 30's and is durable - before this wrist injury he was the ironman leader). Morrison could be a productive 2nd line asset if he has wingers to complement his play-making.
  20. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Spam Fritters;

    I see Sundin in Anaheim for a prospect and Edmonton's first round draft pick. Toronto may have to take back some salary as well.

    Vancouver might want to take a look at Andropov. He has another year before UFA and is only 2.15m. A change of scenery for him might be good.

    Not sure Tucker would wave his no-trade for the Left coast.... you might want to take a look at Kilger.... he too is signed for one more year at .7m

    Leafs will be looking for draft picks... Vancouver have any from other teams? I read somewhere they have prospects and I thought I read that they owned one of the "out of contention" teams picks.

    Cheers
  21. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: Scott, on after 40 minutes tonite, they say that Sundin can not (or will not) be traded to a US based team because of his Swedish investments in Canada or something to that effect. Anyways, they more or less infered that if any trade goes, its to Vancouver, of course depending on what the Canucks want to give up. That was a good segment tonite, lot of ideas, lot of possibilities re trades.
  22. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: PC... agree totally.. too much to think about :)

    Watching on pause.... 3 to 2 Leafs 8 minutes left :)
  23. Super Troll from Canada writes: Robbie Blake to the Sens! For Redden and some coke.
  24. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Hey Scot, sorry about Antropov, but we've had enough of moody Russians already. Canucks do need scoring, but we need a guy like Sundin.

    Spam Fritters has us getting rid of Edler to do so, but I think we have other D' and prospects available, that will be attractive, so we don't have to trade away Edler, he's too good.

    We do have to make it happen soon though, before Luongo wins enough awards that he is priced out of our pocketbook. (Here's hoping the cap goes up the next two years)

    Have a nice day...
  25. Clark The Mighty from Canada writes: Fletch will come in:

    Blake to the Isles

    Sundin to Vancouver unless the Rangers come in VERY strong

    Tucker to the Flames

    Antropov to the Devils

    Gill to Ottawa
  26. j wilson from vancouver, Canada writes: Sundin to Vancouver. Maybe he can teach our other Swedes that you don't have to play like Swedes even if you are, in fact, Swedes.

    Then, maybe Roberto doesnt have to play alone in his own end at playoff time.

    We dare to dream.
  27. Spam Fritters from Republic of LaLaLand, Canada writes: You gotta give to get, Dan the VanMan! I like Edler too, but I think that Bieksa can bring the same qualities of lugging/passing the puck out of our own zone, and he plays with an 'edge' too! The knock on Edler is that he is a 220 lb. lamb - a younger version of Ohland perhaps. I still believe that Luc Bourdon brings a lot of 'upside' even though he is taking longer to develop. Again, I like his 'edge' and his open ice body checks. A great shot from the point too says his resume. Whether the skate speed or the NHL smarts are there is the question! Likely you will need to offer one of those two in the package for a quality scoring centreman - even if it is Sundin as a rent-a-player. I'm leaning more to going after Brad Richards - at the season's midpoint he has 16 goals, and his wingers have been marginal. He knows what it takes to go on a play-off run and succeed, and he is still relatively young. He might relish the idea of coming up to a 'real' hockey market, and Tampa Bay is desperate to shake things up as they are in a free-fall out of play-off contention!

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