Who will win this year’s trade deadline bonanza?
Rick Nash is a Boston Bruin. Derick Brassard is a Pittsburgh Penguin. Tomas Plekanec is a Toronto Maple Leaf.
Erik Karlsson is still an Ottawa Senator — well, for now, at least.
While there’s been a flurry of deals done in the days leading up to the trade deadline, there are still plenty of players remaining on the market who could get moved before the cut-off Monday.
Will the Senators and Montreal Canadiens trade their captains? Will the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets try to keep up with what the other contending teams have done? Will anyone be willing to take a chance on Evander Kane or Thomas Vanek?
1
Has any deal made anyone a contender?
Nash gives a Boston team that has relied on one line some secondary depth and Plekanec should allow Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock to roll four lines. But of all of the deals so far, the one that stands out most is Pittsburgh’s acquisition of Brassard. It cost the Penguins a first-round draft pick and fourthline winger Ryan Reaves, but now a team with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin has arguably the best third-line centre in the NHL. I smell a three-peat.
2
Will Karlsson be traded? While I still don’t understand why Ottawa would trade away a two-time Norris Trophy winner who will likely have his name on the trophy three or four more times, the time for re-signing Karlsson has come and gone. Where could he end up? The destination that makes the most sense is Tampa Bay. The only problem is this could turn into a complicated three- or four-way deal if Ottawa insists on packaging Bobby Ryan in the trade. If so, chances are we won’t see Karlsson moved until the summer. The same goes for New York Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh, who has term on his deal.
3
Will anyone dare to add Evander Kane?
Now that Nash is off the board, Kane, a Buffalo Sabres winger, becomes the biggest rental available — but he comes with more baggage than you can fit into a suitcase. If it was just about the stats, every team in the league would be lining up for a 26-yearold winger who has 20 goals and 40 points this season. But it’s more than just that with Kane, which is why teams might be more interested in Vancouver’s Vanek or Edmonton’s Patrick Maroon.
4
Will Vegas go all in?
Under normal circumstances, you would expect the best team in the Western Conference would be one of the biggest buyers at the trade deadline — but the Vegas Golden Knights aren’t a typical first-place team. General manager George McPhee acquired enforcer Reaves in a three-way deal with Pittsburgh and Ottawa last week. If he doesn’t want this magical first-year run to end, he might have to change the long-term plan and give up a prospect or two.
5
Will Marc Bergevin be allowed to trade Max Pacioretty?
Trading Plekanec was one thing, but after having the P.K. Subban and Mikhail Sergachev trades blow up in his face, should Bergevin be allowed to trade the team’s captain? I wouldn’t allow it. Then again, the Habs might not have a choice. If a team offers a ridiculous deal — let’s say the Los Angeles Kings package Tyler Toffoli, a first-rounder and prospect Gabe Vilardi — you have to let Bergevin pull the trigger. Still, it could be the last trade he makes.
6
Will any of the contenders resist making a bad move?
We’re looking at you, Winnipeg. The Jets have typically stayed quiet at previous trade deadlines, mostly because they were never in a position to contend. This year is different and yet it doesn’t have to be. Though the Jets were reportedly interested in Brassard and Plekanec, there is really no reason why GM Kevin Cheveldayoff needs to do anything. The team is two points out of first place in the Central Division, has Mark Scheifele back healthy and has gone 7-3-0 in its last 10 games.
7
Will Washington try to keep up with the Joneses?
With the Penguins and Bruins having given up first-round picks, the pressure turns to the Capitals to up the ante. The problem is Washington has gone down this road many times before, notably acquiring Kevin Shattenkirk or Martin Erat without much in the way of results. Maybe this year the Capitals should stand pat. Who knows — it might finally lead to a championship.
8
Will Calgary get a goalie? Rookie Jon Gillies has won back-to-back games for the Flames, but with regular Mike Smith still out with a lower-body injury and backup goalie David Rittich unable to hold down the fort, Calgary could risk a playoff spot unless it finds a proven goalie. The Flames woke up Sunday in third place in the Pacific Division, but only two points ahead of the 10th-place Kings. Philadelphia was in a similar situation in the East and picked up the Detroit Red Wings’ Petr Mrazek, who has gone 2-0 since. Acquiring Buffalo’s Robin Lehner could be just as costly.