Of mid-Saturday note from TSN’s Bob McKenzie, who was “thinking out loud” (and/or “ruminating,” as Mickey Redmond might say):
A couple of random pre-trade deadline thoughts, given the deadline is three weeks Monday: I’ll be keeping an eye on TB and NSH as perhaps the two teams who could/would conceivably make significant moves, given their firm status as legit Cup contenders…
In the TSN Coaches Poll last week, those two teams were clearly identified as favourites to contend for Cup, although WPG, VGK and BOS also got some support. Point is, given their recent histories (both losing in a Cup final) and rosters that are heavily constructed to win now…
…I would say the appetite to do everything possible to set themselves up for a run is as high or higher in TB and NSH than anywhere else in the league. Both franchises are extremely well positioned to sacrifice picks/prospects to get immediate help…
TB has all of its own draft picks for the next three years; NSH still owns its first-round picks for the next three years and while they have dealt some 2nd and 3rd round picks the Preds are still relatively well positioned in that regard…
TB, in particular, have a lot of prospects in the pipeline that could also be included in a trade. TB primary desire is for a veteran defenceman; NSH primary target would be a top six scoring winger…
The top lieutenants in both organizations — Pat Verbeek in TB and Paul Fenton in NSH — as well as their pro scouting staffs are extremely active right now drilling down on and seeing in person the usual (available) trade prospects/suspects…
…I think TB and NSH are keeping open minds on all possibilities, which is to suggest they won’t limit themselves to either “rentals” or guys with term. Whatever makes sense in each specific case, whatever could make them better…
…Both teams appear to looking at the usual (trade bait) suspects. Bearing in mind “looking at” isn’t the same as “trading for,” TB, for example, would be doing due diligence on a bunch of D, including a guy like NYR Ryan McDonagh amongst others…
…NSH, meanwhile, would be looking at all scoring winger possibilities and that list may include guys like Gustav Nyquist or Tomas Tatar in DET, though no one is suggesting DET is for sure moving those guys…
…as much as rentals may seem the way to go for financial/cap reasons, TB and NSH would both feel they’re positioned well for the next number of years to contend, so if the right deal for a term player could be struck, it may be a better option…
Anyway, just some thinking out loud stuff for me on a Saturday three weeks before the deadline. Have a great weekend…
Intriguing stuff. I wonder whether the Lightning could be interested in Mike Green, though I find it hard to imagine that Green would fetch a first-round pick given his age and salary. The Wings may have to eat some of the 32-year-old’s $6 million cap hit to make a trade work…
I will admit that I’ve been thinking about whether Tatar or Nyquist will survive the deadline as well. Nyquist is more consistent but Tatar is more explosive.
right now it has to be Tatar as a tradeable asset. Nyquist look much better lately.
But you can flip a coin, i believe we need to trade at least one of the two. We have too many small forwards.
Will see if big trades start early as usual. One big trade and (We wanted him) starts (frenzy). Dumbass GMs IMO. Tampa has all their Draft picks for the next 3 yrs. They are one of the Favs for the Cup. How you ask, good question. I do not know but his name may start with a HUGE Y. I really doubt Tats or Goose will add anything to very many teams.
It will be fun to watch the deadline as long as KH doesn’t trade away any picks/prospects/kids (Including Mrazek!!!)
Scary part, has KH ever had to sell before and does he know how??