We are less than a week away from the February 27 trade deadline, and teams have some major decisions to make. I've grouped the 30 NHL teams according to who is looking to buy specific help for the stretch drive and playoffs, who is looking to sell that help, and who is on the fence, agonizing about parting with some of their future for a dicey gamble on the present or trying to win with that they already have.
Teams looking to buy...
| Detroit Red Wings |
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It's hard to believe the team that won Cups with Joe Kocur and Darren McCarty could use some muscle, but this is a skill team now and teams can push the Wings around. Brad Norton was an early-season spot enforcer, but the Wings like tough guys who can give them regular shifts. Gary Roberts? Bill Guerin? Owen Nolan? Keith Tkachuk? Martin Lapointe (again)?
GM Ken Holland has more cap room, nearly $5 million, than any other contender, so the Wings are likely to be buyers, especially now that the Predators have landed the huge Forsberg fish. With Dominik Hasek, Chris Chelios, Matt Schneider, Pavel Datsyuk, Kirk Maltby and Robert Lang staring at unrestricted free agency, Holland can be aggressive, knowing he'll have even more room in the off-season.
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| Buffalo Sabres |
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Bitten by a serious injury bug, they are Cup contenders and their moves will be dictated by behind-the-scenes health reports for Maxim Afinogenov, Tim Connolly, Ales Kotalik and Jiri Novotny. Afinogenov's broken left wrist is especially troubling. Defenseman Paul Gaustad is probably done for the year, which would free up $712,500 in Cap money. Martin Biron has a fairly hefty salary for a back-up goalie ($500,000 left after the trade deadline) and the Sabres could free
some cap room by dealing him, since Ryan Miller will be their playoff goalie. |
| Pittsburgh Penguins |
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The hottest team in the league is filling seats again. Has Sidney Crosby really saved the franchise all by himself? If so, it's a good time to get him a Dave Semenko-like bodyguard. Crosby doesn't mind some contact, but what's to keep a playoff foe from really running him? Also, recent reports suggest the Pens are interested in veteran Bryan Smolinski's experience and face-off skills. |
| Dallas Stars |
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Ladlislav Nagy was a good pick-up, but the Stars could really use another scorer. Grabbing Boston's Glen Murray or Marco Sturm would make sense, if that help has to come from the East. |
| Ottawa Senators |
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Same old story for playoff pushovers: get some grit. A Keith Tkachuk - Bill Guerin - Owen Nolan type would be even more valuable to these post-season softies. The Sens have been scratching Brian McGrattan lately, so they are looking for a tougher player who can give them a regular shift (as is Detroit). |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
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They have played well since the All-Star break and appear to be in buying mode. If forwards Michael Peca and Darcy Tucker are hurt badly enough, look for Toronto to add depth on the forward lines. |
| New York Rangers |
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Still missing Brian Leetch, they could use a power-play quarterback, such as Rob Blake. Keith Tkachuk would add some necessary forward depth, but he has a no-trade clause, and does he feel that New York can contend? If so, Blues GM John Davidson is still on a first-name basis with everyone in Madison Square Garden, and could oblige his veteran power forward. |
| Nashville Predators |
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Don't expect much more incoming help for the team that landed Peter Forsberg and is set to make a serious
run at the Stanley Cup. |
| Minnesota Wild |
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How serious is the likely No. 8 seed in the West about making a postseason run? Since Marian Gaborik's return from 34 games on the injured list, the Wild has started to look dangerous again. Goalie Niklas Backstom has been a good surprise. He can walk this summer and the Wild could use him to fetch something from Montreal, for instance, if they want to go with Manny Fernandez down the stretch. GM Doug Risebrough and coach Jacques Lemaire both have Habs connections, so it would make sense. The Wild need production from the backline and would love to make a run at Sheldon Souray. Mark Streit or Andrei Markov might be more reasonably priced.
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| San Jose Sharks |
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Nagging injuries to forwards Patrick Marleau, Steve Bernier and Joe Pavelski have made the team's lack of scoring depth look worse than it is. They reacquired Alex Korolyuk, but that could be an appetizer. Defensive help for Kyle McLaren would be useful, too. |
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