Hockey Trade Deadline: Western Conference

One of the favorites times of the season for hockey fans is quickly approaching: the trade deadline (March 4, 3:00pm should you not know). This is where teams stock up for a long playoff run or admit their season was already finished and sell off what assets they know they can’t keep in the off season. Hockey fans cheer how their team landed the big free agent, or cry how their favorite team just got bent over on a deal. Teams are deciding whether or not their buyers or sellers, and if so who is on the block. In the second part of Yinzer’s trade deadline preview, we will take a look at the teams of the Western Conference.

Key:
Status- whether the team will be a buyer or seller
Available- players who are will potentially be moved due to rumors, performance or free agent status
Analysis- my take on their situation and what they will do
NTC- no trade clause (cannot be traded w/o consent, but can be sent to the minors or put on waivers)
NMC- non movement clause (cannot be moved under any circumstance)


Central Division


Chicago Blackhawks
Status: Buyers
Available: Martin Havlat (F), Nikolai Khabibulin (G)
Analysis:
The Blackhawks have made their way back among the prominent teams in the NHL with the infusion of young talent, and former owner Bill Wirtz passing away, paving the way for his son to spend money and make the franchise respectable again. Both Havlat’s and Khabibulin’s names have floated around all year because of their UFA status and Chicago having about a 95% chance of resigning neither for cap reasons, and for a while it seemed like they would sell them to the highest bidder. Instead the team is playing too good to breakup, and having two capable goalies is something that a team loves having going into the playoffs, because there is nothing more important than a hot goalie. I don't think they will look to get much as they will be reluctant to give away any of their young players, so look more for veterans coming in for leadership to help the young guys. The only way Khabibulin is moved is if they get an offer they can’t refuse.


Columbus Blue Jackets
Status: Buyers
Available: Mike Peca (F), Manny Malhorta (F), Jason Williams (F), Christian Backman (D)
Analysis:
The Jackets are trying to make the playoffs for the first time in their history. They lack depth everywhere but goalie, but they need to make the playoffs to show the fans they should stick around. For that reason, they’ll try and make a few acquisitions that can give them a good boost. I wouldn’t guess a top flight guy, but someone like say Eric Cole isn’t out of the question. Williams was acquired from the Thrashers not too long ago and has been putting up points, but Backman has been a disappointment and defensive players are always the highest in demand at the deadline, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he is moved.


Detroit Red Wings
Status: Buyers
Available: Mikael Samuelsson (F), Johan Franzen (F), Ty Conklin (G)
Analysis:
Detroit will be looking for a repeat. In a constant battle with San Jose for the top spot in the conference, Detroit has one of the most balanced teams in the league and has more star depth that probably anyone else. They don't need much, but they’ve never been one to shy away from adding another good piece if the price is right. Don't expect a roster player to be moved from them, just picks and prospects. Look for a decent forward or defenseman to be wearing red, but no big name.


Nashville Predators
Status: Sellers
Available: Steve Sullivan (F), Radek Bonk (F), Greg DeVries (D)
Analysis:
The Preds have lost a fair amount of players the past few years, and were depleted after giving up too much for the likes of Brendan Witt and Peter Forsberg in recent deadlines only to have them make little impact. Scoring has been scarce for them, and what assets they have they won’t be particularly willing to give up. They sit four points out of a playoff spot, but things aren’t looking up. My guess is they’ll sell what they have and look at free agency to replenish their team. All of Sullivan, Bonk and DeVries are UFA’s and while they won’t get much, a little is better than none.


St. Louis Blues
Status: Sellers
Available: Keith Tkachuk (F), Dan Hinote (F), Manny Legace (G)
Analysis:
Ominous signs of the season came before it even started for the Blues when young defenseman Erik Johnson was out for the year after a golf cart accident (yes, golf cart, not golf itself, he’s not a pansy like Tiger Woods). Injuries have ravaged the team and killed any chance they had of making the post season. Tkachuk has been the subject of rumors for months, but he has stated he doesn’t want to waive his NTC, and paired with regular poor playoff performances, he is a buyer beware regardless. Hinote, should they choose not to keep him, will garner some interest as he an intense, responsible checker. A team seeking goalie depth may pay a small sum for Legace, but that no one took him on re-entry waivers earlier in the year is a good sign few will be interested.



Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks
Status: Sellers
Available: Todd Marchant (F), Rob Niedermayer (F), Brendan Morrison (F), Scott Niedermayer (D), Chris Progner (D)
Analysis:
How the mighty have fallen. In their cup year just a mere two seasons ago the Ducks have fallen hard, in large due to the panic moves made by the GM who helped build the team. They were a team that could beat you up and outscore you, and now they can’t do either. They’ve tied in over $7mm in third liners who former GM Brian Burke though could be second line guys in Marchant, Niedermayer and Morrison, and they’ve done little to help the team (though the younger Niedermayer was signed to entice his brother to sign). The two defensemen that were a large part of the cup run, Niedermayer (I’m getting sick of typing that already) and Pronger, have had their names thrown around the rumor mill the last few weeks, the former due to his free agent status. If the Ducks want to make the playoffs, they’ll keep both, though I expect Pronger to stay because of another year on his contract. Niedermayer though should he waive his NTC will garner a big return for a team looking to make a big push. They have already dealt forward Chris Kunitz to the Penguins for Ryan Whitney, but I don't expect them to be finished dealing.


Dallas Stars
Status: Buyers
Available: Jere Lehtinen (F), Mark Parrish (F), Sergei Zubov (D), Daryl Sydor (D)
Analysis:
Sitting at the bottom of the league for the first few months of the season, the Stars have done a respectable job clawing their way back to the top and now hold the 8th seed. Some mid season adjustments (trading Boucher for Sydor, signing Parrish and exiling Sean Avery) led to some success, but they’ll need more if they plan on going as far as the conference finals like last year. Both Zubov and Lehtinen are aging but too key for them to let go. Sydor has an NTC and already waived it once, so don't expect him to be moving again. Parrish could be bait, but hasn’t been particularly effective. They’ll look for something to give their team a jump start, but don't expect another major deal like their acquisition of Brad Richards at the last deadline.


Los Angeles Kings
Status: Sellers
Available: Kyle Calder (F), Derek Armstrong (F), Denis Gauthier (D), Sean O’Donnell (D)
Analysis:
The Kings are amid a race in the west that a few wins or losses will change who sits in the lower seeds. Currently five points out, they still have a chance. In order to make it though they would need more than a few role players, and with a team that is still very young I don't expect them to go for broke. Making the playoffs will be a bonus, but they shouldn’t sell off any major asset unless it brings another in return for the long haul. Sad thing is, had they stability in goal they would probably be middle of the pack. Forwards Armstrong and Calder may bring in some mid round picks, but the former is a grinder and the latter hasn’t had a good season in three years, so there won’t be a whole lot of interest. Gauthier was traded for just to meet the cap after toiling in the minors for cap space, but O’Donnell is a steady defender with leadership qualities and a cup to his name, so teams will be calling for him if he’s available.


Phoenix Coyotes
Status: Sellers
Available: Steve Reinprecht (F), Derek Morris (D)
Analysis:
After having a good first half the Coyotes have fallen faster than Wayne Gretzky when given a push. Their finances aren’t good and so there has been rampant speculation that they will trade their three top players in Shane Doan, Ed Jovonovski and Olli Jokinen. Those three aren’t going anywhere. Doan is the face of the franchise, Jovo has an NTC and Jokinen was just acquired. So that brings us to the lesser names in Reinprecht and Morris. Reinprecth can add some secondary scoring, but he’s really more of a supplemental player, not creating much on his own. Morris is a pretty good two way dman who, while not living up to his potential, is still good to have back there. He has reportedly been sidelined until he is traded, so look for him to be among those dealt.


San Jose Sharks
Status: Buyers
Available: Jeremy Roenick (F), Mike Grier (F), Claude Lemieux (F), Rob Blake (D)
Analysis:
I might have put those guys up there, all veterans and two of which have multiple cups (thankfully Roenick is not one). But they’re not going anywhere. It seems to be San Jose’s year and they’ve even said publicly they're loath to change anything. If they make no moves on deadline day don't be surprised, but they definitely won’t be selling.


Northwest Division

Calgary Flames
Status: Buyers
Available: Mike Camalleri (F), Todd Bertuzzi (F), Adrian Aucoin (D), Rhett Warrener (D)
Analysis:
The Flames have surprised everyone by taking over the division despite struggling last year. Off season moves of dealing away Tanguay and getting Cammalleri, plus signing Bertuzzi have paid dividends. For those reasons, don't expect either of those two to move, especially the former. GM Daryl Sutter loves having defensive depth more than anything going into the playoffs, so don't expect Aucoin or Warrener to be moved unless it’s for another defenseman. Look for them to add some more secondary scoring and another depth defenseman.


Colorado Avalanche
Status: Sellers
Available: Ryan Smyth (F), Tyler Arnason (F), Ian Laperriere (F), Jordan Leopold (D), Andrew Raycroft (G)
Analysis:
Did you know the Avalanche where the worst team in the Western Conference? Seems kind of odd for a team that not all that long ago spent nearly $40mm on four players in Sakic, Forsberg, Blake and Roy to win a few cups. The Avs have struggled the last few years, mostly due to inconsistent goaltender despite who is between the pipes. Rumors are abound they are trying to trade Smyth, but that’s just rumor mongers. He has a NMC and he isn’t going to waive it, plus his contract is too big for many teams to take on. Arnason and Raycroft won’t bring anything in, but Laperriere, known for his hitting, defensive reliability and leadership will garner some interest. With the Avs already out of the playoffs, look for them to get what they can.


Edmonton Oilers
Status: Sellers
Available: Erik Cole (F), Dwayne Roloson (G)
Analysis:
Those 2006 cup teams aren’t doing too good are they? Both Carolina and Edmonton have struggled mightily since meeting in the finals, as if they’ve been searching for an identity. Edmonton has struggled with injuries and underperformance from nearly every position despite various trades and signings. Case in point is Cole who came over this summer in exchange for Janne Pitkanen and despite being a good power forward has struggled even though his stats are respectable. He isn’t expected to be resigned, if for no other reason his struggles, and teams looking for a wing will be very interested in his services. Roloson, since taking them to the finals with a strong performance has been erratic. Though they should sell, being only a tie breaker out of the playoffs at the moment means they may go shopping. However, they’ve been toiling in mediocrity hanging on to the hope they can repeat their Cinderella run, but it’s not going to happen and if they were smart they’d sell and begin to re-tool the team.


Minnesota Wild
Status: Sellers
Available: Marion Gaborik (F), Niclas Backstrom (G)
Analysis
They have a tenuous hold on the 7th seed, but I’ve labeled them as sellers because two of the bigger names available could move from their team in Gaborik and Backstrom. Gaborik rumors have circulated since the season began and reports surfaced of him rejecting the Wild’s multi-year offers. He was expected to be the Hossa of this year’s deadline, but groin surgery has kept him out of the lineup for weeks, and he won’t be ready for weeks more essentially killing any value he had. Teams aren’t going to sell the farm for a guy that will be a UFA and won’t help in the short term because he is injured. Backstrom has publicly stated contract negotiations aren’t going well, and usually when that’s made public the chances of resigning aren’t good. He will be the big name goalie in the free agent class if he walks, and Minnesota may be willing to trade him rather than lose him for nothing. However, should they deal him they can kiss any lengthy playoff run, or even the playoffs themselves goodbye.


Vancouver Canucks
Status: Buyers
Available: Mats Sundin (F), Henrik and Daniel Sedin (F), Mattias Ohlund (D),
Analysis
They made it a bit easy for me openly stating they're buyers at the deadline, so thanks guys. The odd thing is if this team wanted to sell they could get a ton with the guys they have as free agents. Sundin and the Sedin twins, apparently inseparable now, definitely won’t be moved. Ohlund rumors have been rampant all year, but if they’ve making a run they’ll want to hang on to him. So basically they're not going to be trading anyone. What they need is secondary scoring, because it’s basically non-existent on the team. Look for them to make a play for a winger like Cole, or even some spare parts from other teams to get the scoring they need. They’ll be buyers, but the off season may get ugly for them.