Let the trades begin
There’s less than a week before the actual NHL trade deadline, but if history proves correct most of the activity will occur in the days leading up to Feb. 26.
With two Canadian teams firmly entrenched in a playoff spot, another on the bubble, and three others having already put up the For Sale signs on their lawns, this could be a busy period.
Here is a look at what the seven Canadian teams might (or might not) do in the next week:
Calgary Flames
Record: 30-21-9, 10th place in West/2 points back of Wild Card
UFAS: Matt Stajan, Kris Versteeg, Matt Bartkowski
What needs to happen: The Flames need to ensure they get into the playoffs, which could be tricky with goalie Mike Smith battling a lower-body injury and the team struggling for offence.
What shouldn’t happen: Calgary shouldn’t equate the eventual return of winger Kris Versteeg as the same as a trade deadline acquisition. He’s 31 years old and is only good for 10-15 goals when healthy.
Best-case scenario: As long as he doesn’t cost a first-rounder, which Calgary doesn’t have, Rangers winger Michael Grabner (25 goals) would give Calgary more offence than minor-league call-up Morgan Klimchuk.
Edmonton Oilers
Record: 24-30-4, 13th place in West/19 points back of Wild Card
UFAS: Mark Letestu, Patrick Maroon, Mike Cammalleri
What needs to happen: The Oilers need to fix what went wrong this year by turning the page on some of their past-theirprime, slower veterans and finding younger, faster depth players to take their place.
What shouldn’t happen: A quick-fix is needed to get the Oilers back on track, but not at the expense of trading Jesse Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto or (heaven forbid) this year’s first-round pick.
Best-case scenario: Instead of trading the 29-year-old Maroon, who has 14 goals and 30 points this season, the team re-signs him to a new, cap-friendly contract.
Montreal Canadiens
Record: 22-29-7, 14th place in East/13 points back of Wild Card
UFAS: Tomas Plekanec, Ales Hemsky, Antti Niemi
What needs to happen: Where do we start? The Habs need a No. 1 centre, but they aren’t going to be able to trade for one at the deadline, unless someone (Columbus?) is willing to part with a young centre (Pierre-Luc Dubois?) in exchange for Max Pacioretty.
What shouldn’t happen: He’s taken a step backwards this year, but trading Alex Galchenyuk for the sake of moving him would be another mistake given his age (24) and scoring history (30 goals in 2015-16).
Best-case scenario: Use their $7-million in cap space to take on bad contracts in exchange for prospects and picks.
Ottawa Senators
Record: 21-28-9, 15th place in East/13 points back of Wild Card
UFAS: Magnus Paajarvi, Johnny Oduya, Chris Wideman
What needs to happen: The Senators, who have already traded Dion Phaneuf, need to decide if they are rebuilding or re-tooling. That means figuring out if Erik Karlsson fits into their long-term plans.
What shouldn’t happen: Blowing it up now. While the Senators need to make changes, the time for trading Karlsson and other nonrentals is likely easier in the summer, when there are more suitors available.
Best-case scenario: Trade Karlsson to Tampa Bay for Mikhail Sergachev, forward prospect Boris Katchouk, as well as the 2018 firstround pick.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Record: 36-20-5, 3rd place in Atlantic Division
UFAs: Tyler Bozak, Leo Komarov, James van Riemsdyk
What needs to happen: The Leafs need a fourth-line centre who can play up in the lineup in case of an injury, as well as an experienced right-shot defenceman who is capable of playing in the top-two pairings if necessary.
What shouldn’t happen: The Leafs should not trade van Riemsdyk or any of their pending UFAs, even if it means that they lose these players for nothing on July 1.
Best-case scenario: Take the plunge and acquire defeneman Mike Green and centre Luke Glendening, a penalty-kill specialist who has played for Babcock.
Vancouver Canucks
Record: 23-30-6, 14th place in West/19 points back of Wild Card
UFAs: Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Thomas Vanek, Nic Dowd
What needs to happen: The Canucks effectively took Erik Gudbranson off the market by signing the big blueliner to a three-year, $12-million contract. But the team is still in the early stages of a rebuild and in need of picks and prospects.
What shouldn’t happen: Henrik and Daniel Sedin won’t be moved, according to management. But extending Vanek just because he is putting up respectable numbers next to Brock Boeser would be a longterm error.
Best-case scenario: Vanek, who was traded at last year’s deadline for a third-round pick and a prospect, goes to a contender for a similar bounty.
Winnipeg Jets
Record: 35-15-9, 2nd in Central
UFAs: Shawn Matthias, Matt Hendricks, Toby Enstrom and Michael Hutchinson
What needs to happen: Nothing, really. The Jets have the second-best record in the Western Conference, recently got back Mark Scheifele from injury and are expected to get Adam Lowry back sometime next month.
What shouldn’t happen: GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has typically been quiet at this time of year, but he’s also never had a legitimate Stanley Cup contender before. The lure of a championship could force him into making a move he regrets.
Best-case scenario: Jets acquire Mike Hoffman from the Senators, giving them more speed and even more depth on offence.