The Buyers and the Sellers - Gretzky

[KevanGuy]

I was going to do both conferences tonight but this took longer then I thought. I'll try and do the Howe soon.

The Buyers and the Sellers - Gretzky Conference


February 6, 2006
Kris Fernet

And so it begins. Today Jaromir Jagr was traded today for youth. Joe Thornton was traded for depth. With just 20 games left to go in the 2005/2006 CPHL season the annual Buy/Sell Sweepstakes has begun. Some teams will be looking to make some big pre-playoff additions. Some teams will be dumping overpaid veterans. Some teams will tinker and other will stand pat. Today I take a look at the Gretzky Conference and some possible pre-deadline moves:

New Jersey Devils (20 39 8 2) – Consider the Devils a seller. This team was in a constant state of flux since last summer. A number of lackluster GMs have come and gone over that time and the teams standing this year reflects that. NJ is third last in the Gretzky conference and has a couple solid vets that could easily find new homes before the deadline. Sellable: Radek Bonk, Niklas Sundstrom, Eric Cairns, Glen Wesley, Mike Dunham.

New York Islanders (28 27 12 3) – The Islanders are a team on the cusp of the playoffs. They have some very marketable young players and could move some of these for some playoff muscle. However, if they drop too far off in the next month is it possible they become sellers. But at this point in the season I think they can be considered tinkerers. Sellable: Jiri Hudler, Marek Svatos, Keith Ballard, Jordon Leopold, Shawn Belle, Colin Fraser.

New York Rangers (34 26 7 0) – NYR is another team on the playoff bubble. 3 teams are breathing down their neck and they have only a 7-point cushion on the 11th place Leafs. The Rangers are the type of team to do what it takes to make the playoffs so you can consider them buyers. Sellable: Mika Noronen, 2 1st round picks, 3 2nd round picks, Braydon Coburn.

Philadelphia Flyers (24 37 5 1) – The Flyers have made the best of a bad situation and have done well in the standings lately. Over the summer they were a team that had a promising future. They had a good balance of veteran stars and decent rookies. However, a previous GM decided to change the team’s game plan to emulate the Flyers teams of the late 70’s. This approach did not pan out. So the team made a major youth movement and that seems to have paid off in the meantime. However, they will not make the playoffs and they do not have the assets to be considered sellers. They are few players there that interest the buyers in the league. Look for them to add youth when they can. Sellable: Bryce Salvador, Chris Simon.

Atlanta Thrashers (48 16 2 0) – Atlanta already has a classic playoff team assembled. There are very few, if any, gaps in the current line-up. The Thrasher’s GM is know for making deals constantly so you can put the Thrashers in the tinkering category. There just aren’t enough sellable assets (or cap room) to consider them buyers. Sellable: Grant Stevenson, AJ Thelen.

[KevanGuy]

Tampa Bay Lightning (16 47 4 3) – Sell, sell, sell! IF TB is looking to sell there will be some interest. They have a number of cheap vets that could score them a few good rebuilding assets. The team has been unable to impress in the CPHL over the past few years. Will this be the trade deadline that puts them in a position to contend next year? We will see. Sellable: Curtis Brown, Greg Johnson, Robert Reichel, Erik Rasmussen, Cory Cross, Lubomir Sekeras, Pierre Turgeon.

Florida Panthers (38 24 3 3) – Buyers for sure. The Panthers never shy away from any trade and I expect them to be very active up to the deadline. They have been in a bit of a slump lately and this could force the team to make some big moves sooner rather then later. There isn’t much youth to be had and no draft picks for the next two years so the Panthers will have to look at using to big talent to acquire the players they seek. Sellable: Steve Begin, Jarome Iginla, Pavel Kubina.

Washington Capitals (21 37 8 1) – With the sale of Joe Thornton the Capitals become one of the first sellers to make their move. The Thornton trade will serve to set the bar for other teams looking to make similar moves. With the playoffs far out of reach the Caps aren’t done. They still have a couple of good tradable assets that will garner some interest from the buyers. Sellable: Andy McDonald, Chris Clark, John LeClair, Tie Domi, Bob Boughner, Steve Poapst, Manny Legace.

Boston Bruins (40 20 5 20) – I have it on good authority that you can consider the Bruins tinkerers and not buyers. The GM is very happy with the team and has waited all year to get this group of players together. There are few young assets on the team and no cap room. Young depth guys are all that will be explored before the deadline. Sellable: Reinhard Divis

Buffalo Sabres (31 29 5 4) – Buffalo was struck a major blow when all-star forward Ziggy Palffy announced his surprise retirement from the game. Since then the Sabres have been in damage control mode trying to hang onto the last playoff spot in the Gretzky Conference. They are currently tied for that spot with the Islanders. There is plenty of youth that can be dealt but maintaining depth could be a problem. Consider them buyers at this point. Sellable: Matt Lombardi, Riku Hahl, Jeff Jillson, Jakub Kindl, Alexei Semenov, Dmitri Kalinin, 2 2nd round picks, Drew Stafford, Peter Budaj, Tuuka Raska.

Montreal Canadiens (29 28 8 3) – The Habs have been suspiciously quiet recently. The team has run into injury trouble on the blueline and are going to be forced to make some moves. They are just outside of a playoffs spot and will have to get into buying gear if they are to make the dance this spring. Luckily for the GM they do have some very attractive assets. Sellable: Mike Richards, Martin Erat, Jonathan Cheechoo, Chuck Kobasew, cap space, Maxime Ouellet, Jamie Lundmark.

[KevanGuy]

Ottawa Senators (35 25 5 1) – Ottawa has a bit of breathing room right now. There are 5 teams fighting for a playoffs spot just below them. They were obviously buyers today when they picked up Joe Thornton for some young depth. However, cap room is very tight so unless they make some cost saving moves you can consider them tinkerers. Sellable: Matt Stajan, Trent Hunter, Micheal Nylander, Dan Hamhuis, Ben Eaves, Paul Stastny.

Toronto Maple Leafs (23 37 5 5) – With the number of teams vying for the last spot in the Gretzky you can consider the Leafs out of the playoffs race. Thus, they become sellers. They are a fairly solidly built team so taking advantage of the market at the deadline could be crucial for a strong 06/07 season. Sellable: Vitalli Yachmenev, Scott Ferguson, Craig Rivet, Manny Fernandez, cap space.

Pittsburgh Penguins (37 23 6 0) – Pittsburgh has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years. Right now the team is in an up. After a brutal 04/05 campaign they find themselves solidly in the playoff spot. The Pens are buyers but not because they have plenty of youth to draw from. They are buyers because of their depth. They will be able to package players in 2 or 3 for 1 type deals that could really boost the first line. However, messing too much with team chemistry can cause adverse reactions in the SIM. Sellable: Craig Rivet, Tony Hrkac, John Madden, Jan Bulis, Rob Zamuner, Ramzi Abid, Petr Buzek, Daruis Kasparaitis, Sean O Donnell, Jaroslav Spacek.

Carolina Hurricanes (34 28 3 2) – Tinker, tinker and tinker some more. That has been the mantra of Canes GM over the years. I don’t expect anything different this year. This is a team that has an interestingly diverse set of assets. They have a complete mix of prospects, veterans, young NHLers and draft picks. The team is capable of selling to make a major run in the playoffs. But don’t hold your breath. Sellable: Brad Boyes, Ivan Huml, Mike Komisarek, 2 1st round picks, Nigel Dawes, Colton Orr, Rejean Beauchemin, Dustin Boyd, Guillaume Latendresse.

Quebec Nordique (16 40 9 2) – The first year expansion team has begun the sell off by trading Jaromir Jagr to the Blackhawks. This trend will continue right up to the deadline. The Nords are a long way from the playoffs and will have to re-evaluate the direction the team is going. Sellable: Ian Laperriere, Randy Robatille, Dallas Drake, Alex Karpotsev, Todd Simpson, Mattias Norstrom, Keith Primeau, Adrian Aucoin.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Nice job KG! You're bang on about us being on the cusp of a playoff spot, and very correct when you mention a lot will be determined which route I go depending on the next few weeks.

[Noops]

Great Analysis!
Anyone interested in Simon?

[Mango]

Well done, KG.

[Knut]

Tusön Tack. (Thousand thanks)

Everything is spot on there KG. Leclair, Boughner, Corvo, Dumi and Legace are the most likely of the bunch to be moved.

No vets wanted, only youth, youth, picks and youth.

[MJK]

I think it is safe to say that for all you do for this league, no one expected you to do a writeup like this as well. It only shows how dedicated you are to it all.

You are correct that the Panthers will be buyers up to the trade deadline. Look for IGINLA to be the first big name to be shipped off.

[flambers]

Well done!!

[Goffie]

Nice Job!!

[Radically Red]

Very well done... Thank KG.

You are right Senators are tinkers.. but we wont be afraid to by either if we can get a deal that makes sense.

[Sylvanfan]

Good write up. Very accurate. You are bang on that Axels lacklustre management is 100% to blame for where the Devils are right now.

[JiriHrdina]

Great write up KG.

I think one of the interesting things will be to see if the division between the conferences exist this year as well. The West (I can never remember which is Howe and which is Gretz) seems to be more likely to be sellers, while the East has a number of teams that are more likely to “go for it” and stock up.

A number of teams in the West have young assets that could be moved. Not the least of which are the Oilers who still have the tremendous stockpile of prospects that Speeds assembled when he was building that organization. Will Steve be willing to sacrifice some of that youth in order to capture the big prize this year? I think that is perhaps the biggest question.

[notoepik]

Originally Posted by MJK

I think it is safe to say that for all you do for this league, no one expected you to do a writeup like this as well. It only shows how dedicated you are to it all.

KG needs to have his car washed. It is parked out back, have it done by noon and maybe he will treat you to a Jr Bacon Cheeseburger

[Young Guns]

Great job KG. Very interesting, But only one Mr. Divis to be moved in boston?

[Sample00]

New Jersey Devils (20 39 8 2) – Consider the Devils a seller. This team was in a constant state of flux since last summer. A number of lackluster GMs have come and gone over that time and the teams standing this year reflects that. NJ is third last in the Gretzky conference and has a couple solid vets that could easily find new homes before the deadline. Sellable: Radek Bonk, Niklas Sundstrom, Eric Cairns, Glen Wesley, Mike Dunham.

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Good write up. Very accurate. You are bang on that Axels lacklustre management is 100% to blame for where the Devils are right now.

Funny, I dont see my name mentioned there anywhere. Now had it said Mike from the Jets..then I could see where yer coming from..

[Sample00]

I always knew the Devils were a Mickey Mouse organization run by some Goof!!

[Prototype]

I've been pegged...

[flambers]

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

New York Rangers (34 26 7 0) – NYR is another team on the playoff bubble. 3 teams are breathing down their neck and they have only a 7-point cushion on the 11th place Leafs. The Rangers are the type of team to do what it takes to make the playoffs so you can consider them buyers. Sellable: Mika Noronen, 2 1st round picks, 3 2nd round picks, Braydon Coburn.

.

Rangers are buyers for sure but there is more sellable items than that.

On the trade block

RWer (which one depends on the offer..... )

Dman .........always have a few

Brendan Morrison .......... ah he is a Canuck....enough said.