We’re about a month away from the trade deadline and the rumors are heating up. I’ve pulled my information from many different sites and I’ve been rattling my head about what rumors make the most sense and which are just fluff. These are my own opinions about the rumors I’ve heard and have been following.
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-Jarome Iginla – Calgary Flames
The Flames have been going down in flames for years, and the Iginla rumors have never ceased and this year is no different. The Flames have to rebuild and they have to start unloading contracts starting with Iginla. The Pittsburgh Penguins are the leading candidates for Iggy’s services and Pittsburgh could be on the top of Iginla’s list of teams he’d go to. It would be his best chance to win a cup this year and it could be his last. A chance to play with Crosby has to be tempting enough for him to accept a trade. The Boston Bruins are also a strong contender and he would fit right in with the tough Bruins line up. I don’t believe Red Wings would make a move for Iginla as they are teetering on the playoff line already. Iginla will want to go to a legitmate contender and he’s earned the right to choose. The Flames and Iginla are also NOT talking about an extension right now which is fueling more and more rumors about his departure.
– Keith Yandle – Phoenix Coyotes
The high scoring defenseman has been a target for a couple years now, and with the Coyotes still in limbo, they might want to shed their bigger contracts to lure a buyer. Yandle has been on Detroits radar for a while and I think that would be the best fit. Detroit has the young talent to send back and might want to shed a contract as well for the return (Ian White). Philadelphia would love to have any defenseman that doesn’t fall to injury and they have most likely kicked the tires on what it would take to get Yandle. But the team that is apparently leading the charge on his services, according to Eklund, are the Washington Capitals. The Caps have lost Mike Green for who knows how long. Dmitry Orlov is still injured and might not be back soon enough to make a difference for a playoff push. Carlson is doing better but still not living up to his potential and disappears at times. The only other scoring defenseman left is Tom Poti and his time with Washington is definitely at an end as he has done anything since returning from a bad injury. The Caps could make a big push for Yandle to add that elusive power play specialist that they are missing with Green out. Yandle is also a solid defensive player and can help the Caps break out of their own zone without turning it over. They could offer up Marcus Johansson and hopefully just a draft pick. I’d rather not see the Caps offer Filip Forsberg, Tom Wilson or Dmitry Orlov – that’s the future, don’t f*ck with that! Or the Caps could dangle the rights to Evgeni Kutznetsov who is still over in the KHL and has no intention of leaving.
Brian Campbell – Florida Panthers
The Panthers might as well just pack it in at this point. They will be sellers and there will be a firesale. Campbell will fetch a decent price and Detroit might be the ones to make an offer. He would fit well with the Wings and would fit their system. The Red Wings need a defenseman that can make that first pass or lead a rush, something that they miss in Niklas Lidstrom. The Flyers might make an attempt at Campbell, but his contract might scare them off, unless they can dump some salary somewhere else.
Mark Streit – New York Islanders
The Isles are still miserable, but they have been playing better as of late. The team boasts some very good young players and they might want to continue that trend by trading away one of their older ones. Streit is still a great offensive defeseman and the Carolina Hurricanes might be interested if they can stay in the playoff hunt. But with Cam Ward out for the season it looks unlikely. The Montreal Canadiens might make a push and then buy out Tomas Kaberle. The Canadiens would love the extra punch on D with Markov and Subban and with the Habs rolling right now, they might look to add some depth for the playoffs. The Blackhawks might make an offer depending on how healthy they are. Their chemistry is cooking right now and they may not want to screw with that.
Jay Bouwmeester – Calgary Flames
If the Flames can dump Bouwmeester’s salary on anyone the ciry of Calgary might forgive GM Jay Feaster for signing Dennis Wideman for so much. Bouwmeester has been pretty solid this year, something we haven’t seen since he was in Florida many years ago .The Flames need to rebuild and they need to trade away their vets. Philadelphia looks to be the front runner for Bouwmeester’s services. They might have to shed some salary to do so, but they need defenseman who don’t go down to injury within three games. He would fit in well with the Flyers and put a big body in front of Bryzgalov. The Boston Bruins will be interested as will the Canadiens.
Bobby Ryan – Anaheim Ducks
Everyone is wondering what the Ducks will do with Corey Perry now that Ryan Getzlaf signed for an absurd amount of money, but I’m wondering what they will do with Bobby Ryan. They could re-sign him and let Perry go either now or lose him to free agency, or trade Ryan away and try to re-sign Perry. Ryan’s name has popped up since last year’s deadline and the Flyers still want him. They don’t want to give up Couturier but he’s been struggling enough that they might be re-thinking that. The Red Wings might be interested too and he could give some punch to a line-up that’s been struggling this year. I still wonder if the Washington Capitals are entertaining Ryan at all. He would fit in very well under Oates’ system and could make Ovechkin envious of his attention.
Mike Ribeiro – Washington Capitals
What to do if your George McPhee? The Caps are so up and down this season that I’m not sure if they’ll be buyers or sellers. If the Caps are still in the hunt come deadline day Ribeiro will stay and the Caps will risk losing him to free agency. If the Caps are out, then look for GMGM to unload Ribeiro to a list of potential buyers. The Chicago Blackhawks will come calling and they would love to add him to their line up. The Hawks have lost Patrick Sharp for a few weeks and will want to add someone who could play with Kane and Hossa if Sharp is still out. I wonder if Vancouver will be interested as Kesler is out for a bit again with a broken foot. Those Luongo rumors have calmed down in the last few weeks, but that could certainly re-ignite them. San Jose would also like to have Ribeiro as they are struggling lately. I think Ribeiro should go before the deadling because I’d hate to let him go for nothing like Semin and almost every other potential UFA that McPhee has brought in as an experiment, but I think we’ll lose him to FA if the Caps still have a shot at the playoffs.
Evgeni Nabokov – New York Islanders
Nabokov has to be close to retirement, but his name is still popping up. The Oilers are said to be interested, but I can’t imagine with Dubnyk playing fairly well. However Khabibulin could be on his way out and they might want a veteran to back up Dubnyk. The Washingto Capitals are also said to be kicking the tires, but I can’t imagine that unless they are interested in letting Neuvirth go. If anything, I think Nabokov will stay unless Tim Thomas decides he wants to return to the NHL and play for the Islanders.
Ryan Whitney – Edmonton Oilers
Whitney isnt’t he same player he used to be and his speed is in question, but he is still a solid player on a young team. If placed in a role of less responsibility, he could make a big difference for any team. The Canadiens are interested along with the Senators. Montreal is more of a realistic shot, in my opinion, as they are leading the Eastern Conference and will make the playoffs. The Sens are battling a lot of injuries to key players, but are still playing good hockey, however I think they’ll lose steam and end up selling a player or two.
Nik Antropov – Winnipeg Jets
The Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues are two teams that will look for a player like Antropov. The Hawks are looking for some back up scoring for their inevitable playoff push and, like with Ribeiro, could look to add the big winger. The Blues are different because they could easily fall out of contention with their lackluster play. Antropov would bring a lot to the Blues, but it might not be worth it if they are falling down the standings.
Stephen Weiss – Florida Panthers
Yes, I know, he’s injured for the year, but the Panthers might be in the position to trade his rights away to someone in need of his next season. The Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings are still said to be interested, but I still wonder if the Canucks could make a pitch. Maybe something involving a future summertime deal with a certain goaltender?
Jaromir Jagr – Dallas Stars
Dallas could end of selling off a few players if they can’t get back up in the standings. Lots of teams would love a Jagr for the playoffs as he brings so much experience and poise. The Flyers might want him back if they continue playing as well as they have. Jagr and Giroux played well together last year and I think Jagr was a big reason that Giroux became the player that he is. Red Wings could make a pitch, and why not? Every player either seems to play for the Red Wings or Rangers in the twilight of their career.
Ryan Miller – Buffalo Sabres
I put Miller down the list as I can’t imagine the Sabres letting him go. He’s been the face of the Sabres for a long time and I can see him finishing his career there. However, I thought the same of Lindy Ruff. The Sabres have no identity right now and although they have some bright spots, they are failing and something needs to be done. Miller would fetch a huge return for Buffalo and they have to be considering it. He’s struggled a lot in the last two years, but the team in front of him sucks. He was the 2010 Olympic MVP for the U.S., so you put him behind a team that gives a crap and plays for him, he’ll win a lot of games. Detroit would be a good spot for him in my opinion as fellow U.S. goalie Jimmy Howard isn’t playing well and back up Johan Gustavsson hasn’t worked out. Miller could be what the Wings need to get some consistency going. I doubt this would ever happen, but I wonder if the Caps would make a call and at least inquire about Miller, but I doubt the Caps could take that contract because Ovechkin’s is a succubus.
That’s it for now.
More to come…
