TRADE BAIT
A FEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
It might still be few days away, but excitement is growing in advance of the 2012 NHL trade deadline. There are still a number of big- name players on the table. Here’s a look at some Nhlers that could be in play before Monday.
RICK NASH, BLUE JACKETS
Position: Right wing
Age: 27 Contract status: Second year of an eight- year, $ 62.4- million contract ($ 7.8- million cap hit)
Contract notes: Has a no- trade
clause
2011- 2012 stats: 59 games played; 19 goals; 21 assists; 40 points; minus- 23
Notes: The Columbus Dispatch reported Nash would accept a trade to the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Rangers and Kings appear to be front- runners in the Nash sweepstakes. The Vancouver Canucks were not involved in that list.
JEFF CARTER, BLUE JACKETS
Position: Centre
Age: 27
Contract status: First year of an 11- year, $ 58- million contract ($ 5.272- million cap hit)
Contract notes: Does not have a no- trade clause
2011- 2012 stats: 38 games played; 12 goals; 10 assists; 22 points; minus- 11
Notes: Sportsnet hockey insider Nick Kypreos stated this month the Canucks were interested in pursuing Jeff Carter at the deadline. Los Angeles could also be a destination for the two- time 30- goal scorer. Carter to L. A. would reunite him with former Philadelphia Flyers teammate Mike Richards. That could be an option if the Kings can’t land Nash.
BOBBY RYAN, DUCKS
Position: Right wing
Age: 24
Contract status: Second year of a five- year $ 25.5- million contract ($ 5.1- million cap hit)
Contract notes: Does not have a no- trade clause
2011- 2012 stats: 59 games played; 21 goals; 15 assists; 36 points; minus- 6
Notes: Rumours have Bobby Ryan heading to Toronto. Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke drafted Ryan second over- all in the 2005 draft when Burke was the Ducks GM. The Ducks are 13th in the Western Conference, five points out of eighth place, and are 6- 13 in their last 10 games.
ALES HEMSKY, OILERS
Position: Right wing Age: 28
Contract status: Final year of a six- year, $ 24.6- million contract ($ 4.1- million cap hit)
Contract notes: Becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1
2011- 2012 stats: 45 games played; 4 goals; 21 assists; 25 points; minus- 15
Notes: Scott Burnside of ESPN recently said Hemsky would “likely command a small collection of mid- round draft picks,” not a ringing endorsement for a player of such skill, but the Oilers may use that chip to bring in more young talent. However, “mid- round draft picks” might be too low a price for the Oilers.
RYAN MALONE, LIGHTNING
Position: Left wing
Age: 32
Contract status: Fourth year of a seven- year, $ 31.5- million contract ($ 4.5- million cap hit)
Contract notes: No- movement clause from 2008- 09 to 2012- 13; no- trade clause 2013- 14 and 2014- 15, can submit a 12- team trade list, according to Capgeek. com 2011- 2012 stats: 44 games played; 10 goals; 18 assists; 28 points; minus- 5 Notes: Tampa Bay, having dealt Dominic Moore and Pavel Kubina, appear to be sellers at the deadline, one year after making it to the Eastern Conference finals. At 6- foot- 4 and 219 pounds, Ryan Malone could add size to the front lines, but he has suffered three separate injuries this season.
MASON RAYMOND, CANUCKS
Position: Left wing Age: 26 Contract status: Final year of a two- year, $ 5.1- million contract ($ 2.55 million cap hit) Contract notes: Becomes a restricted free agent July 1 2011- 2012 stats: 34 games played; 6 goals; 8 assists; 14 points; plus- 6 Notes: Raymond suffered a vertebrae compression fracture during the first shift of Game 6 of last June’s Stanley Cup Final series. After posting six points in his first seven games back from the injury, Raymond has struggled to contribute. He has just eight points in his last 27 games, although his speed may be an attractive asset for some teams at the deadline.