1. Ilya Kovalchuk, Thrashers
We discussed the possible destinations for Kovalchuk a couple weeks ago in its own ‘Top 5’ blog. Every day that passes by makes it more likely that Atlanta GM Don Waddell will likely deal the only superstar the franchise has ever known. Many people are trying to gauge the price the acquiring team will have to pay for ‘Kovy’. Even if Waddell sets the bar high, all it takes is one general manager that thinks ‘Kovy’ can make or break their Cup chances to overpay. He’s going to boost any team’s playoff/Stanley Cup hopes the instant he’s dealt.
Five logical destinations: Calgary, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston, Chicago
2. Sheldon Souray, Oilers
Edmonton will likely get some offers for the injury-prone Souray before the deadline. He will be an expensive addition, as he has another year left on his deal at a $5.4 million cap hit. But there are some contenders out there needing a defenseman for a possible playoff run. Souray will get to choose his landing spot courtesy of his no-trade clause, and there’s speculation that his desire is to play for a West Coast team – which means the SoCal teams would be intriguing suitors. Souray will get looks from all around the league before March 3rd since he’ll be the best D-men on the market (assuming Niedermayer stays in Anaheim).
Five logical destinations: Anaheim, Phoenix, Washington, Colorado, Dallas
3. Ray Whitney, Hurricanes
Whitney, 37, is a playoff veteran looking for another shot at raising Lord Stanley. He did so with Carolina in 2006, and won’t get many more opportunities. He does have a no-trade clause, so he will have a say in where he wants to go. I assume he’ll only be a playoff-rental, as he’ll likely re-sign with the Hurricanes this summer; he loves it in Raleigh. Whitney will help any contender looking to add extra scoring punch up front. I really think he’d fit well in Calgary or Nashville, two teams that will be attempting to acquire a forward at the deadline.
Five logical destinations: Calgary, Nashville, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, New Jersey
4. Paul Kariya, Blues
‘K9’, as I like to call him, is an interesting player on the market this trade season. He’d be a pricey rental ($6 mil), but that’s all he would be – a rental. Yes, Kariya has lost a step and isn’t the same playmaker we saw a few years back; but he can still be a difference maker in the right situation. I look at possibly Buffalo and Phoenix as solid fits for him, as well as his home-town Canucks (if they can find enough cap room). If/when St. Louis decides to trade Kariya, someone will be getting a speedy playmaker that’s a class act on and off the ice.
Five logical destinations: Buffalo, Phoenix, Boston, Calgary, Vancouver
5. Alexei Ponikarovsky, Maple Leafs
There won’t be many forwards with both size and skill on the trade market, which makes Ponikarovsky a valuable asset for Brian Burke and company come March 3rd. ‘Pony’ has put together a solid couple of years under Ron Wilson, and will be a very affordable rental pickup for any contender. He reminds me of a more physical version of ex-Leaf Nik Antropov. He was close to being traded to the Predators last year, and that possibility definitely still remains.
Five logical destinations: Nashville, Calgary, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Florida
Others who will likely be traded before March 3rd:
Martin Biron, NYI
Andrew Cogliano, EDM
Matt Cullen, CAR
Jaroslav Halak, MTL
Ethan Moreau, EDM
Matt Stajan, TOR
Petr Sykora, MIN
Raffi Torres, CBJ
* I do not and will not claim to have ‘inside sources’. All of this is pure speculation on my part, and maybe some information pieced together from other bloggers (not named Eklund!).
We discussed the possible destinations for Kovalchuk a couple weeks ago in its own ‘Top 5’ blog. Every day that passes by makes it more likely that Atlanta GM Don Waddell will likely deal the only superstar the franchise has ever known. Many people are trying to gauge the price the acquiring team will have to pay for ‘Kovy’. Even if Waddell sets the bar high, all it takes is one general manager that thinks ‘Kovy’ can make or break their Cup chances to overpay. He’s going to boost any team’s playoff/Stanley Cup hopes the instant he’s dealt.
Five logical destinations: Calgary, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston, Chicago
2. Sheldon Souray, Oilers
Edmonton will likely get some offers for the injury-prone Souray before the deadline. He will be an expensive addition, as he has another year left on his deal at a $5.4 million cap hit. But there are some contenders out there needing a defenseman for a possible playoff run. Souray will get to choose his landing spot courtesy of his no-trade clause, and there’s speculation that his desire is to play for a West Coast team – which means the SoCal teams would be intriguing suitors. Souray will get looks from all around the league before March 3rd since he’ll be the best D-men on the market (assuming Niedermayer stays in Anaheim).
Five logical destinations: Anaheim, Phoenix, Washington, Colorado, Dallas
3. Ray Whitney, Hurricanes
Whitney, 37, is a playoff veteran looking for another shot at raising Lord Stanley. He did so with Carolina in 2006, and won’t get many more opportunities. He does have a no-trade clause, so he will have a say in where he wants to go. I assume he’ll only be a playoff-rental, as he’ll likely re-sign with the Hurricanes this summer; he loves it in Raleigh. Whitney will help any contender looking to add extra scoring punch up front. I really think he’d fit well in Calgary or Nashville, two teams that will be attempting to acquire a forward at the deadline.
Five logical destinations: Calgary, Nashville, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, New Jersey
4. Paul Kariya, Blues
‘K9’, as I like to call him, is an interesting player on the market this trade season. He’d be a pricey rental ($6 mil), but that’s all he would be – a rental. Yes, Kariya has lost a step and isn’t the same playmaker we saw a few years back; but he can still be a difference maker in the right situation. I look at possibly Buffalo and Phoenix as solid fits for him, as well as his home-town Canucks (if they can find enough cap room). If/when St. Louis decides to trade Kariya, someone will be getting a speedy playmaker that’s a class act on and off the ice.
Five logical destinations: Buffalo, Phoenix, Boston, Calgary, Vancouver
5. Alexei Ponikarovsky, Maple Leafs
There won’t be many forwards with both size and skill on the trade market, which makes Ponikarovsky a valuable asset for Brian Burke and company come March 3rd. ‘Pony’ has put together a solid couple of years under Ron Wilson, and will be a very affordable rental pickup for any contender. He reminds me of a more physical version of ex-Leaf Nik Antropov. He was close to being traded to the Predators last year, and that possibility definitely still remains.
Five logical destinations: Nashville, Calgary, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Florida
Others who will likely be traded before March 3rd:
Martin Biron, NYI
Andrew Cogliano, EDM
Matt Cullen, CAR
Jaroslav Halak, MTL
Ethan Moreau, EDM
Matt Stajan, TOR
Petr Sykora, MIN
Raffi Torres, CBJ
* I do not and will not claim to have ‘inside sources’. All of this is pure speculation on my part, and maybe some information pieced together from other bloggers (not named Eklund!).
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1 comments:
Feb. 12th will be an important day as sort of a soft trade deadline err 1st trade deadline...you will likely see a few moves then before the Olympic Break.
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