1. Columbus Blue Jackets
This team needs defensive help… bad! Steve Mason has been an enigma in net, but he also isn’t getting much help in front of him. Columbus has the top-ranked power play, and yet is moving in the wrong direction. Even Jan Hejda’s return hasn’t solved the problems. GM Scott Howson needs to seriously think about making a deal to bring in a blue-liner. Assets like Jakub Voracek and Nikita Filatov would be difficult to part with, but winning is the most important thing. When you think about a trade that could help both parties, maybe a Sheldon Souray for Voracek swap would fit the bill for both the Oilers and Jackets.
2. New York Rangers
Marian Gaborik can’t do it all. Back in October, Vinny Prospal and Ales Kotalik looked like great pickups from the off-season. But both have faded off a bit (along with Del Zotto), resulting in ‘Gabby’ having to do all the dirty work. Henrik Lundqvist is forced to keep opponents below 2 goals a game, which can take a toll mentally and physically. Since they’re up against the cap, GM Glen Sather should try to make a minor move to bring in a forward and maybe catch lightning in a bottle. Maybe Bryan Little from Atlanta, or Ryan Jones from Nashville?? Both are young, have good potential, but may need a change of scenery. Moves like this have helped the Wild turn things around…
3. Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim is another team that is reeling, needing to make a significant a move to shake things up… *cough* Fire Carlyle! *cough*. Anyways, if they decide to go the trade route – again – don’t be surprised to see Bobby Ryan dealt. Yes, it’s a possibility. He’s a restricted free agent after this season, and both sides are reportedly far apart in contract talks. Ryan would bring in a pretty nice return. What about Scott Niedermayer?? The captain would become a hot commodity if the Ducks can’t right the ship sooner or later. J.S. Giguere has been the most popular choice to be traded, but who is going to take on his contract?? Nobody. GM Bob Murray has hands full in SoCal…
4. New York Islanders
Scott Gordon’s bunch has overachieved this season. They haven’t been great, but are competitive in every game, giving teams like Pittsburgh and Washington fits. With Rick DiPietro (finally) on the mend, you can bet GM Garth Snow is going to find a suitor for Martin Biron, who signed a one-year deal with the team this summer. The Isles need another scoring forward to stay in the race. Ray Whitney would be a good fit, but Carolina doesn’t need Biron with Cam Ward healthy now. Could Los Angeles be a good match for Snow?? We know earlier this year they were dangling Alexander Frolov on the market, and the Kings may need goaltending help for Quick.
5. Nashville Predators
Fellow Preds fans may disagree with me here, but I feel like this is a good time to make a trade. The team has been a little inconsistent lately, but is in the playoff hunt. GM David Poile doesn’t need to make a drastic move, but a goal-scorer up front wouldn’t hurt. After striking out on Phil Kessel, I believe Poile is determined to make something happen this season… especially with how well the team has played over the last month. Whitney from Carolina would be a good fit IMO. He’d be an affordable rental, and might play well on a line with Dumont if the Arnott/Sullivan/Erat line progresses. Something smaller, less of a risk, might keep the winning ways going for Nashville, too.
This team needs defensive help… bad! Steve Mason has been an enigma in net, but he also isn’t getting much help in front of him. Columbus has the top-ranked power play, and yet is moving in the wrong direction. Even Jan Hejda’s return hasn’t solved the problems. GM Scott Howson needs to seriously think about making a deal to bring in a blue-liner. Assets like Jakub Voracek and Nikita Filatov would be difficult to part with, but winning is the most important thing. When you think about a trade that could help both parties, maybe a Sheldon Souray for Voracek swap would fit the bill for both the Oilers and Jackets.
2. New York Rangers
Marian Gaborik can’t do it all. Back in October, Vinny Prospal and Ales Kotalik looked like great pickups from the off-season. But both have faded off a bit (along with Del Zotto), resulting in ‘Gabby’ having to do all the dirty work. Henrik Lundqvist is forced to keep opponents below 2 goals a game, which can take a toll mentally and physically. Since they’re up against the cap, GM Glen Sather should try to make a minor move to bring in a forward and maybe catch lightning in a bottle. Maybe Bryan Little from Atlanta, or Ryan Jones from Nashville?? Both are young, have good potential, but may need a change of scenery. Moves like this have helped the Wild turn things around…
3. Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim is another team that is reeling, needing to make a significant a move to shake things up… *cough* Fire Carlyle! *cough*. Anyways, if they decide to go the trade route – again – don’t be surprised to see Bobby Ryan dealt. Yes, it’s a possibility. He’s a restricted free agent after this season, and both sides are reportedly far apart in contract talks. Ryan would bring in a pretty nice return. What about Scott Niedermayer?? The captain would become a hot commodity if the Ducks can’t right the ship sooner or later. J.S. Giguere has been the most popular choice to be traded, but who is going to take on his contract?? Nobody. GM Bob Murray has hands full in SoCal…
4. New York Islanders
Scott Gordon’s bunch has overachieved this season. They haven’t been great, but are competitive in every game, giving teams like Pittsburgh and Washington fits. With Rick DiPietro (finally) on the mend, you can bet GM Garth Snow is going to find a suitor for Martin Biron, who signed a one-year deal with the team this summer. The Isles need another scoring forward to stay in the race. Ray Whitney would be a good fit, but Carolina doesn’t need Biron with Cam Ward healthy now. Could Los Angeles be a good match for Snow?? We know earlier this year they were dangling Alexander Frolov on the market, and the Kings may need goaltending help for Quick.
5. Nashville Predators
Fellow Preds fans may disagree with me here, but I feel like this is a good time to make a trade. The team has been a little inconsistent lately, but is in the playoff hunt. GM David Poile doesn’t need to make a drastic move, but a goal-scorer up front wouldn’t hurt. After striking out on Phil Kessel, I believe Poile is determined to make something happen this season… especially with how well the team has played over the last month. Whitney from Carolina would be a good fit IMO. He’d be an affordable rental, and might play well on a line with Dumont if the Arnott/Sullivan/Erat line progresses. Something smaller, less of a risk, might keep the winning ways going for Nashville, too.
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