-On the Rick Nash front, I really can't see him being moved mid-season. He has six years left on his deal and a $7.8 million cap hit with the Blue Jackets. This isn't just a rental player, this is essentially Rick Nash in his prime for the next six seasons. Columbus has stated a goalie isn't a necessity in return, but the reality is a goaltender will likely be required to land the big right winger. Los Angeles has the pieces; I could see Jonathan Bernier, 21-year-old Andrei Lotkionov, young defenseman Alec Martinez or Slava Voynov, and a first round pick bringing Nash to the west coast. But the reality is the asking price for Nash will be steep and deals of this magnitude are seldom completed mid-season, let alone at the trade deadline. VERDICT: Nash stays put--for now.
-Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford has stated that he has given Tuomo Ruutu a few days to mull over his contract offer before putting Ruutu on the market. Ruutu could fetch a strong return in either Boston or Ottawa, but Ruutu could also be an attractive piece for Columbus who are in the midst of a tumultuous rebuild. Ruutu is 29 and has an expiring contract, but the two-time 20-goal scorer would be an asset to several teams. If a deal doesn't get done with Carolina, a 2nd round pick and a B-grade prospect could be exchanged for Ruutu. VERDICT: Ruutu is a Senator come deadline day.
-Also on the Hurricanes front, defenseman Bryan Allen and Jaroslav Spacek both have expiring contracts after this season. With Joni Pitkanen ready to go by next week, the Canes will have an expendable defenseman. A contract with Allen can likely be worked out and I think the Canes are intent on keeping him. The 36-year-old Spacek, who was acquired for Tomas Kaberle earlier this season, has less of a connection with the franchise. Spacek would be a nice rental for a team in need of a defenseman and the price will probably be a little less steep for him than it would be for a stay-at-home, gritty guy in Allen. Spacek brings a little bit of offensive flair that Allen doesn't but isn't the defensive defenseman Allen is. VERDICT: Allen stays through deadline day, Spacek is moved. Possibly to Chicago.
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| Hemsky could be on the move after two injury-plagued seasons in EDM. |
-One name that has flown under the radar is Edmonton Oilers winger Ales Hemsky. Hemsky is in the final year of his contract and has had two injury-riddled seasons the last two years in Edmonton. Hemsky would be a nice piece for a contender looking to add a 20-goal scorer heading into the playoffs. If the Kings were wise they would invest less assets in adding Hemsky than adding that of Rick Nash. Los Angeles would still get their desired offensive pop without mortgaging the future the way they would to acquire someone of Rick Nash's stature. VERDICT: Hemsky to Los Angeles.
-The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently sitting in a tie for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and if the Leafs want to return to the playoffs for the first time since the lockout, now is as good of a time as any. The always brash GM Brian Burke will be active in finding a piece that can help his team now and in the future. Mikhail Grabovski could be on the block, but his value to Toronto this season may be greater than what they could get in return. Rumors have floated Luke Schenn's name on the block, but I can't foresee that happening either. The Leafs would like to add offensive punch--James Van Riemsdyk comes to mind, and perhaps Schenn could be the addition to the Flyers back end they so desperately long for in Chris Pronger's absence. As active as Burke may be, it's hard to imagine the Leafs pulling off anything of blockbuster magnitude over the next week. VERDICT: Leafs stay put, for the most part. Paul Gaustad could be a potential target, so don't expect the leafs to be completely silent.
That's all for now..I'll try and stay updated as frequently as possible. Let the trade deadline fun begin!
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