At the NHL’s trading deadline, the Chicago Blackhawks went all in by trading for two big pieces. One was defender Kimmo Timonen, while the other was center Antoine Vermette. While we can argue about just how helpful those players have been, the results don’t lie. The Blackhawks are back in the Stanley Cup Finals.
That said, Vermette has gotten lost in Chicago’s great depth up front, and as a rental option, he’s likely playing his final games in Chicago. Could Edmonton pursue Vermette this summer? We know new GM Peter Chiarelli liked him quite a bit in Boston, but does the fit make sense with the young Oil?
Why Is He Out There:
We knew it the second the deal was made, this was a rental trade. Chicago will enter cap hell this off-season, and will in no way be able to re-sign the veteran forward. Vermette also hasn’t really fit with the Blackhawks, and has been healthy scratched during this post-season.
The Hawks will be looking to free up money, while Vermette will likely want a better fit of a team. These two will no doubt be splitting up within the next month.
What Does He Do Well:
Antoine Vermette is arguably the best two-way center looking for work this summer. He’s a veteran hand with tons of experience and who is also, by all accounts, a leader. He’s 32 years old, but seems to have a few more years left in the tank.
He’s not a massive hitter, but Vermette is a tough guy to play against. He’s a tough player who will use his body when needed, but who also does all the little things that frustrate opposing players. He’s strong on his stick and knows how to separate his opponent from the puck.
Vermette possesses great defensive instincts, and is “dedicated” to playing in both ends of the rink. He’s a smart two-way player that takes care of his own business before worrying about generating offensive chances. Think of Vermette as a better version of Boyd Gordon.
This isn’t a player who is only a defensive specialist however, as Vermette does more than protect his own zone. He’s got solid speed, and can keep up with younger players. It isn’t ideal, but he can play with skill if needed. On top of that, he’s not an offensive black-hole. He has the ability to score between 30-40 points a season, evident by his 38 this past year.
Lastly, this is a player who dominated on the penalty-kill. In Edmonton, he and Boyd Gordon would form a deadly one-two punch on the PK.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play:
If Edmonton signed Vermette, he’d likely take over as the third line center to start the season, bumping Anton Lander to the wing and Leon Draisaitl to the AHL. Over time, he probably gets shifted to the fourth line as Boyd Gordon exits and Draisaitl emerges. For a defensive forward, that’s not a bad role.
In fact, I think we can definitively say that Vermette is a perfect fit for a team on their third line at the center position.
What Will He Cost:
Antoine Vermette likely will be overpaid on the market this July. He’s a big name player and is looking for his last real contract, that’s usually how it goes. I think he’ll land a four year deal around $4 million per, but I would not give that to him.
I think a three year deal at $3 million per fits with the Oilers, but it might not be enough for him. We’ll see, this stint in Chicago may end up hurting his value.
Closing Arguments:
If Peter Chiarelli goes shopping for a top-nine forward this summer, Antoine Vermette might be a good fit. He’s a tough player to go up against, and he’s a defense first kind of guy. He’d compliment Edmonton’s high-end forwards quite nicely, and would add some more depth to a young center group.
That said, he’ll likely be overpaid this summer, and Vermette is entering the stage of his career where the decline is likely to begin. While he’d be a good get for 2015-16, he’s a candidate to be a cap hindrance in about two years. I like the player, but would probably avoid him on July 1st. If the price comes down, sure, but if not I’d stay clear.
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