GMs getting ready to get busy
As clock ticks toward Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline, expect plenty of last-minute action
And, now, the end is near.
NHL general managers are getting ready to do some last-minute shopping with the trade deadline set for Wednesday at noon PT.
The talk has certainly increased over the last 48 hours with teams such as the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings accepting the reality of missing the post-season by unloading players for picks.
It won’t stop there, with Arizona, Buffalo, Colorado, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Vancouver and Winnipeg all having assets they can deal. League executives predict GMs will be busy at the last minute.
“It’ll be the same — somewhere between 20-25 trades,” a league executive said last Thursday. “Everyone knows who’s out there. Some teams have games to play before Wednesday and most teams will wait until the wire.
“But if they have a deal that makes sense, they’ll do the deal.”
AROUND THE BOARDS
The St. Louis Blues are in a playoff race but it sure sounds like GM Doug Armstrong isn’t going to keep defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk, because he doesn’t want to lose him for nothing in the off-season.
As reported in this space three weeks ago, the Blues were close to a deal with an Eastern team three weeks ago, but that club couldn’t get him signed. Reports this week indicated that club was the Tampa Bay Lightning and now it appears Shattenkirk is headed somewhere as a rental if he’s dealt before Wednesday.
Ideally, the Blues would like to get two elements in return for Shattenkirk — including a first-round pick and a prospect. It’s believed the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, who are headed for a playoff showdown in the East if history repeats itself, have both held talks with the Blues about the possibility of acquiring Shattenkirk.
The next 96 hours are going to be interesting to see what happens because a sign-and-trade for Shattenkirk certainly doesn’t look like it’s going to happen and the belief is that he’ll sign with the New York Rangers next season ... Give Buffalo GM Tim Murray a call if you have any interest in defencemen Dmitry Kulikov or Cody Franson. We’ve been told both are available.
OFF THE GLASS
Arizona GM John Chayka has five or six teams after centre Martin Hanzal — including Montreal, Nashville, Minnesota, San Jose and Ottawa — and this deal is going down to the wire.
The asking price is a first-round pick, a prospect and possibly another piece in exchange for Hanzal, who will be a rental.
Perhaps it’s a sign of the marketplace when there are so many teams after a forward who went into Saturday’s action with only 10 goals and 26 points in 50 games. No, the Coyotes don’t score a lot, but he hasn’t had a great year. Teams are desperate to add depth at this time of year ... League executives raised their eyebrows at the decision by the Coyotes to send defenceman Michael Stone to Calgary for a third-round pick and an agreement to pick up 50 per cent of his US$4-million salary. Arizona likely could have got more if it had waited.
“If you look at teams that deal defencemen who play 20 minutes a game, they usually get a second (round pick) and a prospect,” a league executive said. It’s believed the Sharks were pushing hard to make a deal for Stone ... There’s lots of talk the Stars will deal defenceman Johnny Oduya back to Chicago, or perhaps to the Habs.
RUMOURS DU JOUR
The Tampa Bay Lightning likely will move forward Brian Boyle. There’s no shortage of interest, but one possible landing spot may be the Columbus Blue Jackets, because they would like to add a forward.
Of course, the biggest name to watch in Tampa is goaltender Ben Bishop. Making $5.95 million in the final year of his deal, Bishop is one of the biggest names available but there’s a strong suspicion among league executives that he may not go anywhere. Since he’ll be on the open marketplace for nothing on July 1, many league executives believe teams won’t be willing to pay the price that Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman is asking when they can simply bid for Bishop for nothing in five months.
“You’re best to just hold and see what happens,” an NHL executive said ... Among the players being shopped in Colorado is veteran winger Jarome Iginla and he wouldn’t mind being moved if the Avs can find a dance partner. That’s the issue, since there aren’t many suitors for the 39-year-old Iginla, who has only eight goals in 59 games this season. He’s been linked to the Oilers, but that seems doubtful ... The Coyotes won’t move Shane Doan unless he requests a trade and there’s a belief in league circles that could happen. The 41-year-old would like to win and don’t be surprised if the Sharks at least kick tires on this front.