Its less than one week to the NHL trade deadline, and we’ve already seen our first deals of the season with the Penguins adding Brenden Morrow from the Dallas Stars and Douglas Murray from San Jose. In this shortened season, the playoff races are closer than ever, and this means that for a number of teams the decisions on whether to be a trade deadline buyer or seller are tougher than ever. Complicating matters is that last season we saw the Los Angeles Kings, the 8th seed in the Western Conference, go on a dominant playoff run and win the Stanley Cup. The adage that you just have to make the playoffs and anything can happen was proven true. So does this result influence a team to make a last ditch effort to make the playoffs this year?
In any event, lets look at the bubble teams who have big decisions to make in the coming weeks.
We did the the Western Conference earlier in the week, and move on to the Eastern Conference now.
Winnipeg Jets
Currently in 3rd place; 6 points up on Carolina but the Canes have 3 games in hand.
To Buy: The Jets, like many teams, could use a true number 1 franchise defining centre. I wouldn’t break up the Ladd – Little – Wheeler connection, but someone to play with Evander Kane would be nice. However there aren’t many available and the price for one would be astronomical. The price might be cheaper to grab a Right Wing who can add some offence or add a second tier centre.
To Sell: Ron Hainsey, Nick Antropov, and Kyle Wellwood are the biggest UFA fish that the Jets could dangle. Antti Miettinen, Grant Clitsome, Derek Meech, and Al Montoya are also scheduled to be UFAs, but the returns here wouldn’t be anything to write home about.
Opinion: The Jets have been playing good hockey of late, and the win over Carolina last night was huge. This team has a very good chance of maintaining the Southeast Division lead and bringing NHL playoff hockey back to Winnipeg for the first time in 17 years. They shouldn’t mortgage the future, but adding a second line winger would be a nice addition down the stretch.
New Jersey Devils
Currently in 7th place, 4 points up on 9th.
To Buy: The Devils have just 82 goals for, 3rd worst in the Eastern Conference. With the loss of Zach Parise in the offseason, and Ilya Kovalchuk now injured for 2-4 weeks, another goal scorer would really come in handy down the stretch.
To Sell: David Clarkson is a UFA this summer. If the Devils decide they can’t re-sign him, he would fetch a kings’ ransom in the current market. Patrick Elias would also be highly sought after, and a tremendous trade asset if moved. Other UFAs include Danius Zubrus, Alexei Ponikarovsky, and Marek Zidlicky. If they blew up the team, the number of picks and prospects the Devils could acquire would be ridiculous.
Opinion: Given the number of UFAs and prices Clarkson and Elias would demand, I’m tempted to say sell here. The Devils could set themselves up for the next decade if they make the right moves. However, this team did make the Stanley Cup Finals last year, and I believe they would be a lot higher in the Standings if not for the recent injury to Martin Brodeur (he’s now back on the ice). With that in mind and knowing that Brodeur isn’t getting any younger, the Devils should do what is necessary to just make the playoffs, whether that is in 7th or 8th spot. Just get in and with Brodeur in net, anything can happen.
New York Rangers
Currently in 8th place, 2 points up on 9th, 1 game in hand on the Isles
To Buy: Amazingly, the Rangers have just 78 goals this season, worst in the East. They may have Rick Nash, but they sacrificed offensive depth to get him. Adding offensive depth to their top 3 lines would be a priority here.
To Sell: There aren’t many UFAs to be here. Roman Hamrlik was claimed on waivers, and so would need to be offered to any other teams who put in a claim before the Rangers could trade him. There is also Steve Eminger and Matt Gilroy. Unless they are moving players who are signed through next season (and possibly beyond), the shelves are bare in terms of selling rental players.
Opinion: The Rangers didn’t go all in last summer in their trade for Rick Nash only to give up on the season now. This team is a buyer, that is for certain. Only question is how much more are they willing to spend?
New York Islanders
Currently in 9th place, 2 points out of 8th, the Rangers hold 1 game in hand
To Buy: The 107 goals against this season is a HUGE number, and third worst in the East. Another experienced defenceman, and a defensive defenceman at that would be the target here. Their are also a number of teams with excess goaltending right now, with Evgeni Nabokov’s .902 Save Percentage this season, it might be worth exploring options here.To Sell: UFAs to be include Brad Boyes, Marty Reasoner, Lubomir Visnovsky, Mark Streit, Keith Aucoin (see note above on waiver pickup trades), Radek Martinek, and Nabokov. Rumors are that Streit and the Islanders are working on an extension, so we’ll have to see if that gets done. If it doesn’t he’s the biggest prize in the bunch. Visnovsky and Boyes could also bring decent returns.
Opinion: I’d love to see the Islanders be buyers, make the playoffs and shock all the experts. However the cynic in me says that this team will sell. They are building with the move to the Barclay Centre in the forefront of the teams plan, and will not sacrifice assets that they will need in the future for short term gains. I predict Streit re-signed, and possibly Boyes, but a sell off of other assets in furthering the rebuild.
Carolina Hurricanes
Currently in 10th place, 3 points out of 8th with 1 game in hand; 6 points out of 3rd with 3 games in hand.
To Buy: A recent injury to Justin Faulk, who is out 2-4 weeks, could have the Canes looking for another puck moving defenceman and help to quarterback the powerplay.
To Sell: Jussi Jokinen was placed on waivers yesterday to free up a roster spot, I predict that the former 60 point winger, 3 time 50 point winger, and 6 time 40 point man will be claimed by someone. UFAs to sell include Chad Larose, Joe Corvo, and Dan Ellis.
Opinion: The Canes just spent a ton of money on Alex Semin. They also spent in the offseason to bring Jordan Staal to Carolina and lock up Jeff Skinner long term. This team is not a seller, and wouldn’t get a ton for their pending UFAs anyway. Look for the Canes to make a push for the 8th spot, or even a run at the division leading Jets (though last night’s regulation loss to Winnipeg hurt). I see GM Jim Rutherford making a push here. The imminent return of Cam Ward could also give the team a boost.
Washington Capitals
Currently in 11th place, 4 points out of 8th
To Buy: The team has needed help on defence all year, both puck moving and defensive D. Now, if Mike Green could ever stay healthy (and he’s back in the lineup now) this team would be set in terms of the puckmoving component. However Jeff Schultz has never regained his 2010-11 form and a solid defensive defenceman is needed.
To Sell: Mike Ribeiro is having a monster season, and centres are always highly coveted at this time of year. I think he’d fetch a lot, though there is talk that the Caps are trying to get him on a contract extension. At a reasonable price Ribeiro is a great 2nd line centre for this club, so re-signing should be priority. But if you can’t get him inked, take the trade and don’t risk losing him for nothing in the offseason. Matt Hendricks and Eric Fehr could be good trade options and provide a playoff time with bottom line grit. Tom Poti is an experienced Defenceman.
Opinion: Yes the Caps are only 4 points out of 8th. But with 3 teams in front of them, its a tough road. The key here is Ribeiro and his contract status. If you can get him signed, you might consider making a run, with the team you have, its a longshot but possible. On the other hand if you can’t ink Ribeiro, you should sell him, and everything else you’ve got.
Thanks for Reading and as always feel free to comment below.
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