The trade deadline is now only a few days away and many moves are looming. The makeup of contenders will be altered and numerous future draft picks will trade hands among the buyers and sellers at the deadline.
Four teams are within a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, while in the West, the Wild and Coyotes are a close four and eight points back of Colorado, respectively. The depth for some positions on these teams is secure and ready to make a run, but others are a glaring weak spot. If any of these teams hope to participate in post season play they will look to add that elusive blue liner or spark in the forward group.
Some of these teams may have already done all the shaking up they intend to this season. Others may also elect to stick with the group they have and address their weak spots in the off season. If these teams do make moves, expect it to be with veteran players who have expiring contracts or who have underperformed this season. It would be an unexpected move for a team to make a big move today without looking ahead, only to be swept in the first round.
The East is more intriguing to follow as there are currently six teams within eight points of a wild card spot. Will this finally be the year without the Red Wings in the playoffs? I am skeptical to make that prediction, but the Devils, Hurricanes, Senators, and Flyers are hot on their heels to grab a wild card spot.
The West is more definitive in its playoff representing teams but the Wild and Coyotes are chomping at the bit to grab one of the two wild card spots from Nashville or Colorado.
I will give my thoughts on team needs in a position perspective as rumours surrounding star players are only rumours and nothing will be definitive until trade deadline day, but there are certainly assets out in the market these teams could acquire that give them that boost into the playoffs.
Detroit Red Wings 30-20-11 East Wild Card
The Red Wings are a guaranteed playoff team before the season starts. That has been undeniable for the last two decades. Is this the year they miss out though?
I don’t think so and, even more so, I don’t see them making a move. They have the combination of veteran and young talent to make a playoff run. The biggest ‘issue’ amongst this franchise is finishing in overtime or the shootout. They have eleven OT loses and that gives them seventy-one points on the season. They need to find a way to win these close games and gain the extra point. The identity of this team remains after trade deadline day.
Pittsburgh Penguins 30-21-8 East Wild Card
This team brought in Kessel this off season to aid Crosby and Malkin in the scoring department. Although thirty eight points isn’t exactly what they hoped for from him, this season he has contributed to the success of this team. They also traded Clendening and Perron to Anaheim for Carl Hagelin back on January 16th and in his sixteen games with Pittsburgh, he has tallied eight points with a +3 rating.
Another team that may make a move, but I don’t think will. They have a talented group with playoff experience and don’t necessarily need to acquire a player to make a run, but for the right price could. If they do make a trade I anticipate it being with draft picks more than with current players or prospects.
New Jersey Devils 30-24-7 1 Pt out of Wild Card
Schneider has become not just a franchise goalie for this team, but one of the leagues’ best this season. Henrique and Palmeiri have joined this team and taken them to playoff contention earlier than anticipated.
The area of weakness on this team is at the left wing position. Cammalleri is a clear first line winger, but after him the position is thin. The team also only has two defenseman with +/- ratings as a positive.
Are they ready to make a playoff push now, or should they wait for the 2017 season? What they do at the trade deadline will answer this question.
Carolina Hurricanes 28-23-10 2 Pts out of Wild Card
Is it time to dangle the Staal brothers and see what kind of return they could bring? We shall soon find out. This team needs a solid second line RW and Slavin is their only blue liner with a positive +/-.
Their ten overtime loses also don’t help their situation. If that number was halved they would be tied with Detroit for a wild card spot right now.
They had the fifth overall pick last season and as tempting as a playoff appearance this season is it may be pushing this team to far too quick.
Ottawa Senators 29-26-6 4 Pts out of Wild Card
This team already made the biggest blockbuster deal so far back on February 9th when they acquired Phaneuf and prospects for Cowen, Greening, Michalek and prospect Bailey along with a 2017 2nd round pick.
Is another blockbuster move on the horizon or is that where it stops? In my opinion, that is where it stops. They are close to a wild card spot now and drastically changing the teams’ identity further may do more harm than good. This team has the hopes of Canada on its shoulders and gives the country the best chance of being represented in the playoffs. The group is talented, can score on multiple lines, and has a great young core with Stone, Ryan, and Hoffman to be a playoff team now and in the future.
Philadelphia Flyers 26-22-11 5 Pts out of Wild Card
Rookie sensation Gostisbehere has given Flyers fans something to be excited about this season, but a playoff berth would be the icing on the cake. “Ghost” has entered Calder talks despite playing only 2/3 of a season and the future is bright in Philly.
They will not make a trade today to simply make the playoffs now if it will have adverse effects on the future. The LW is a position of need, as Raffl is their leading point player who is listed at that position and he has a mere seventeen on the season.
The defense is appealing with Gostisbehere to lead the charge but with a veteran to help mentor him it could be even better. Streit and Schultz are dispensable blue liners now and could get a decent return. Looking elsewhere, it may be time to move on from Gagner. He has only played a half season this year, but in his thirty games has managed only eight points.
This trio may give the Flyers a veteran defenceman along with mid round picks down the road. If they managed to package the trio I could see them getting a solid veteran blue liner along with two or three mid round picks in the 2016 or 2017 draft.
Nashville Predators 29-21-11 West Wild Card
They acquired top line Center Ryan Johansen back on January 6th and are in decent position to make a playoff run this year. Defenseman Josi leads the team in points but they have a great forward group that produces as well. If they can manage to add a 2nd line RW that might be exactly what they need to separate themselves from the pack.
Like Detroit and Philadelphia, they will also need to start winning in overtime. Eleven losses in that category is tough and, should that continue in the playoffs, they may be headed for a quick first round exit.
Colorado Avalanche 32-27-4 West Wild Card
This team is very talented up the middle with three Centers already having achieved over forty-two points this season. Iginla has the top line RW job locked up, but after him it thins out drastically.
Barrie, Beauchemin, and Johnson are also a great trio on the blue line, combining for 26/64 this season. They have an impact on the score sheet but a combined rating of -19 is less than desirable. That being said, they did recently acquire Matthias from the Maple Leafs and may remain quiet at the deadline unless the Wild or Coyotes make moves.
Minnesota Wild 27-23-10 4 Pts out of Wild Card
Another team that cannot finish in overtime, with ten losses in that category, are on the outside looking in. The signing of Vanek this off season has had great dividends this season and Parise and Suter continue to prove they are worth the large contracts they were given. Dubnyk was a trade last year that helped spark this team to post season play. He continues to play well this year, but the lack of scoring depth is what is holding this team back.
Pominville and Neiderreiter have underperformed this year and the RW position is in need of an upgrade. They may also look to add another top defenseman to go along with Suter. Possibly a big move similar to Ottawa with the Phaneuf trade who now have a great one-two punch with him and Karlsson.
Arizona Coyotes 27-27-6 8 Pts out of Wild Card
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson leads the team in points and the blue line is solid with this franchise. They are also talented on the wings with young stars Domi, Duclair, and Rieder. Up the middle is where this team is struggling.
Only one Center, Hanzal, has tallied over thirty points this season, and he missed thirteen games. Vermette (10/13 -17) and Chipchura (4/8 -9) have played poorly this season and a change of scenery might just be the answer.
This team will look to add an established Center if the price is not too high. If they do make the playoffs this season, it will be ahead of schedule. This team does have great young stars to grow with and it may take until the 2017/18 season to make a playoff appearance, unless a move is made at the trade deadline.
Thank you again to all who read and enjoy the festivities of trade deadline day. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @GHam614 along with @SuperTwo_Sports
*stats as of February 24th
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