Well, how about that for kicking off some trade deadline
predictions. Within one day of releasing
my thoughts on what could happen in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Maple
Leafs went out and made a splash in the market by acquiring Jake Muzzin from the
L.A. Kings, one of the top defensemen I mentioned they could and should target.
And just a few days later the Penguins had also moved Brassard, just not in the
manner I mentioned, so that’s a partial win.
Now with the trades beginning to become more frequent and even more
important there is no time to waste in breaking down a few of the top teams in
the Western Conference.
Winnipeg Jets:
The Jets are one of the most complete teams in the NHL this
season and at this moment they’re leading the toughest division in the entire
league, the Central. How could a team
like this get much better? They have a
killer PP which has a 26.1% of success, tops in the West. They’re tied for 3rd in GF/G at
3.4 and their GA/G is 3rd best as well at 2.8. The PK is even top-5 at 81.5%...this is a
team that seemingly has no weakness. But even the best teams still look to make
improvements and for them it looks like getting another center could be their
main objective.
When looking to grabbing up another center, two come to mind
for me. Brian Boyle and Brayden Schenn
could both be good fits in the 3rd line role. Schenn who I
previously mentioned in the Eastern Conference write up I had originally as a
fit in Pittsburgh in exchange for Brassard. I originally had an idea for the three-team
trade here that would send Brassard to the Jets since it is known that they
have been targeting him since last season. But now that the Pens have moved him to
Florida instead, Schenn would be an equally good fit for the Jets. He is a big
body who plays with a physical edge and is usually good for 50+ pts a year as
well. And as we know the playoffs are
all about playing a tight, physical game, and depth scoring.
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| Brayden Schenn stat line |
When it comes to size, not many players bring more than
Brian Boyle. At 6’7” in height and
almost 250lbs, Boyle brings size, speed, physicality, and defensive
responsibility. Though he has been
playing on the wing most of this season, he has been very successful at center
in the past and is a player many would love to have to upgrade their PK. In his last 4 seasons he has a combined FO%
winning 51.1% of his draws. He also has
been a key shot blocker with 146 blocks, including 31 this season. While his isn’t known for his offense, he
brings leadership and experience to teams which has proven just as important in
the past.
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| Brian Boyle stat line |
Colorado Avalanche:
Colorado has been one of the hot picks this season to make a
deep playoff run after their hot start to the season. They also have one of the top lines in the
league with Rantanen, MacKinnon, and Landeskog who have all been at the top in
league scoring from the beginning of the year.
But beyond those three players, the Av’s don’t get many pucks in the
net. Between the players on this line, the lowest scorer of the bunch is
Landeskog at 54pts. From there it is a
steep drop to the next highest scoring forward all the way down at 31pts. It is without question the Av’s will be
looking to add some scoring punch.
Two premiere wingers they could target are Mark Stone and
Artemi Panarin. Both players would
likely come and very high price though. Both players bring speed and scoring as
both players have toped 50pts already this season. Both will also be UFA’s when the season is
up, so the Av’s will have to weigh paying a very high price against the
possibility of losing these players in just a few months. This cost will likely
be a high-end prospect and a 1st round pick at the bare
minimum. I would bet money that a 3rd
round pick would be included as well, and you’re likely looking at having a guy
like Tyson Jost or Cal Makar included in the deal. And resigning either player is going to cost
you a high salary as well, probably in the range of $9 million.
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| Artemi Panarin stat line |
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| Mark Stone stat line |
I don’t think that is a realistic route that they will take
but it is a possibility to think about.
They could likely go a cheaper route though and grab a player like Kevin
Hayes, Wayne Simmonds, Mats Zuccarello, or Gustav Nyquist (I discussed a few teams where he could have end up right here). Hayes and Simmonds are both big and physical
yet bring offense to their teams. Both
players take advantage of the powerplay as well, Simmonds has made a career out
of playing in front of the net. Simmonds is the older and more physical player
of the two as well which brings added value.
But Hayes is younger, bigger, and a better skater. Both players will be UFA’s after this season.
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| Wayne Simmonds stat line |
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| Kevin Hayes stat line |
And then there was Mats Zuccarello, the smallest of the
bunch standing only 5’8” and weighing in at 185lbs. But what he lacks in size he makes up for in
skill. He is a smaller forward who is an
excellent skater with great vision. In
his last three full seasons he has scored over 50pts each year and has 27pts in
only 36 games played this year. For all these players the cost should remain
about the same. 1st or 2nd round pick and a mid-late
round pick with a prospect mixed in. But
if the Av’s are serious about contending, look for them to make a move for a
defensive defenseman as well. Someone
like Andy Greene or Alex Edler.
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| Mats Zuccarello stat line |
San Jose Sharks:
The San Jose Sharks will be the final team we look at in the
Western Conference. They have been one
of the top teams in the league all season long and are currently in 2nd
place in the Pacific Division. And
they’re near the top of the league in most categories, including PP%, PK%,
SF/G, and SA/G. The have balanced
scoring up and down the line up, including on defense. As far as defense goes, they have what is one
of the top-5 defense cores in the league.
So, what is there to add for a team that seems to have everything?
Let’s start on defense.
The players that they have all skate well, defend well, and move the
puck up the ice very well. If adding a
player on defense they’ll be looking for someone similar as to not disrupt the
chemistry, but perhaps a player who is a bit more of a shut down defenseman who
can play a physical game in front of the net and block some shots. Two veterans come to mind Andy Greene and
Brent Seabrook.
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| Brent Seabrook stat line |
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| Andy Green stat line |
Seabrook is a longshot to be moved due to his price tag,
long contract, and No-Trade Clause, though it is rumored that Chicago has asked
him to waive it. But he has a
championship pedigree that has been missing in San Jose for years. He plays well in front of the net and is a
very good shot blocker. He also moves
the puck very well and has a cannon of a shot.
Andy Green is a similar player though he doesn’t put up the points like
Seabrook has, but that could be because of the teams he has played on. And at 36 years old, Greene has 1 more year
on his contract at $5 Million.
Offensively the Sharks seem to have it all. But adding another consistent point producer
who can skate never hurts. A good fit
could be Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers.
He is a big guy who can skate like the wind, has an excellent shot and
drives the net hard. He is currently 1st
in goals and 2nd in points and hits on the Rangers including 11pts
on the PP. He is only 27 years old and has 1 more year on his contract at a
very reasonable $4.625 Million. He is a
player that could be worth the Sharks taking a shot at and may be just the
piece to put them over the top.
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| Chris Kreider stat line |
And with that we’ll be looking forward to a lot of potential
action from the teams not only in the West but the entire league. I will say the Western Conference is
extremely hard to predict since all the teams are roughly within 10pts of a playoff
spot currently. All it would take is a
small winning streak for a team at the bottom to jump into a wild card spot and
focusing at the teams in the top of the standings like I have brings its own difficulties
too. These top teams are so good already
it is hard to find a way to improve them without upsetting what the teams
already do so well.
But these are fun scenarios to think about and with all the
moves that have happened already we’re going to be in for a very busy
month. Will any of these trades take
place or these players move somewhere, that I can’t say for sure. But if I were a GM for a any of these teams,
these are the areas I would look to improve, and these are a few of the players
who could help do so. Seeing a few moves
that have already happened tells me I’m not to far off either seeing that
Muzzin and Brassard have already been moved.
But we’ll all find out together, as the trade deadline looms.
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