Quote:
Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy
Maybe the Rockets and Canes can pull off a blockbuster if the Canes end up selling and the Rockets are willing to part with some of those young assets. Cozens and Addison are likely heading into their last years of junior and would provide a massive boost to any team loading up for a deep playoff run.
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Are the Hurricanes selling for sure?
It's interesting...looking at their roster it's obvious they lost some good players but they did put a bid in for the Memorial Cup so it seems Anholt at least felt they'd have the pieces in place to make a run if needed.
That said, the Central division looks tough with Edmonton and Calgary both as contenders so if there was ever a year to throw in the towel and retool, this would be it. The prospect of having to beat both those teams in a series just to get to the 3rd round vs Saskatoon would have to be daunting.
In that case, I think Cozens would be more likely a target for the Rockets than Addison. Kelowna is pretty deep on RD especially if Thomson returns, but Cozens could be that top-line centre they will likely target. He isn't the pure playmaker for Foote, more of a power forward but that may not matter.
The issue is that signed prospects, 16s and 17s can't be traded anymore without waiving their NTC so it's going to be harder than ever for contenders to load up in the WHL. One of those trio of 16s on defense would be the perfect trade chip but it's hard to see any of them agreeing to move away from a Memorial Cup team that's known for churning out NHL-calibre defensemen.
The WHL may continue to struggle at Memorial Cups in the future as the OHL and Q teams all do crazy trades that stack contending rosters and W teams are forced to try and do trades just for picks.
You also have to wonder if Anholt may be bitter about losing the Memorial Cup bid to Bruce and may not want to help the Rockets win it.
There could be slim pickings this year at the deadline though because most top players in the league (those that are NHL picks) happen to play for contending teams already so if Lethbridge does decide to sell, they may have many teams interested. It'll just be interesting to see if they can find a way around the new trade rules.