NHL Trade Talk: February 3, 2014

Vanek On the Move – For Sure!

Getty Images
Getty Images

–       Thomas Vanek has turned down a reportedly big contract from the New York Islanders.  This means they will be moving him before the trade deadline.  I think that it will actually happen before the Olympic trade freeze this Friday.  I have heard numerous people talking that the currently slumping Los Angeles Kings are making a solid bid to acquire Vanek.  I am not sure how this will happen based on the Kings current cap space.  When this is all said and done I feel that no matter who acquires him as a rental this year.  The Minnesota Wild will sign him in the off-season.  He lives there, his wife is from there, he went to college there, and I just feel he will take a discount to go there.

Rangers Captain Contract Negotiation Stalled

–       New York Rangers captain Ryan Callahan’s contract negotiations have stalled.  He is reportedly seeking a seven-year, $42 million dollar deal.  The Rangers are not thrilled with the length of term.  They are looking for a five-year deal.  The yearly amount of cap hit are said to be very close.  Callahan has stated that he wants to remain a Ranger, but I am a little scared that they have let this drag on this far.  Even though the talk is rampant that he is on the move, I feel like a deal will get done.  There are a whole group of teams interested in acquiring Callahan.  The list includes, Buffalo, Columbus, but the front-runner looks to be St. Louis.

Brodeur Talking Trade Again

–       Martin Brodeur has had a tough week.  He was lit up in the Stadium Series game at Yankee Stadium.  He threw a fit about the quality of ice, and things just are not going his way.  To follow that up he said that he would be open to waive his no trade clause, and accept a trade to a cup contender.  Wow isn’t this just like last year.  I just do not see this happening.  First of all I don’t see the Devils wanting to end their relationship with Brodeur this way.  I also cannot think of a contender that would want him.  Most contenders have goalies that are playing better than Brodeur has of late.  The determining factor in the possible trade comes down to the decision on if Brodeur is in his last year or not.  If he tells the Devils he is done at the end of the year, there is no way they trade him.  If not, who knows.

The Sellers!

–       Here is a list of the sellers and who they are willing to give up.

  • Nashville – Legwand, Cullen, Ellis
  • Washington – Brouwer, Ward, Fehr, Erat
  • Winnipeg – Byfuglien, Kane, Jokinen, Setoguchi
  • Calgary – Cammalleri, Butler, Glencross, Stempniak, Russell
  • Buffalo – Ott, Miller, Moulson, Myers, Stafford
  • Florida – Boyes, Gilbert, Goc, Winchester, Gomez
  • New York Islanders – Regin, Marc-Bouchard, MacDonald, Vanek
  • Dallas – Whitney, Fiddler, Robidas, Daley
  • Edmonton – Gagner, Hemsky, Perron, Yakupov

The Buyers!

–       Here is a list of the teams looking to fill some voids so they can make a strong playoff run.

  • Tampa Bay – Roll player, fourth line grit guy – Perfect fit – Steve Ott or Matt Moulson
  • Colorado – Strong top four defenseman – Perfect fit – Trevor Daley
  • St. Louis – Proven playoff strong starting goalie – Perfect fit – Ryan Miller
  • Toronto – Top end defenseman, and a strong scoring forward – Perfect fit – Michael Cammalleri
  • Los Angeles – Front end scoring forward – Perfect fit – Michael Cammalleri, Thomas Vanek
  • Montreal – Top end forward – Perfect fit – Evander Kane

Olympic Trade Deadline

–       This Friday at 3:00 pm est the NHL has a trade freeze for the Olympic break.  It will be like another mini-trade deadline.  I don’t expect a ton of moves, as I don’t expect a ton of moves before the March 5th deadline.  I do think that if a team was planning on moving a guy it would benefit them financially to move them prior to the Olympics.

 

  • This is a fun time of year for trades.  We are in the stretch run now.  Look for an Olympic Trade Deadline update later in the week.