See a prior post for an explanation of Operation: T-Radar {The Hockey Spy's Trade Speculation System}
In the last three years post-lockout, there have been exactly 25 trades each year on trade deadline day, with an average of 43 players changing hands. These past 3 years are tied for the highest number of deals. Will Mar 4, 2009 surpass that number? Most "experts" seem to think not. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes either way. If some of the "seller" teams can accomplish what they may set out to do, we might even crack the elusive 30 trade plateau. With the likes of Gary Roberts, Brendan Morrison, Miroslav Satan being placed on waivers - the number of trades may be less as teams may seek to add without subtracting.
With great trade speculation coverage from TSN to The Fourth Period to Illegal Curve, I have no need to reinvent the wheel and re-hash what information is already out there. However, what I would like to do is to foreshadow 25 deals that make sense...at least make sense to The Hockey Spy! I don't have a crystal ball, I ain't no "Trade Whisperer", and don't even think about calling me a trade rumour generator! This is simply an exercise in speculating some reasonable trades that couple take place in the fading hours leading to the deadline. A vast majority of the ideas for the following deals are based on reports already out there in the hockey world.
I have previously posted trade articles on the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. I have also discussed the "Formula For Succes: Cup Winning Deadline Deals".
Without further ado, let's now uncover Operation: T-Radar 2009, in no particular order:
1. Jay Boumeester lands in the City of Brotherly Love, with the Flyers sending Joffrey Lupul , Matt "The Wanderer" Carle and Ryan Parent back to the Panthers. We will soon find out if J-Bo is on the move. Florida his hot these days, and it ain't just the weather! Is it just me or does J-Bo look happy playing there. Two weeks ago, I would've said the Panthers would be crazy not to try and get a great return for him, but now with the way they're playing, I finally see the light as to why they would simply keep him. The Flyers might just be the ones to sweet talk the Panthers into sending J-Bo their way. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Canucks land J-Bo either.
2. Steve Sullivan and a conditional draft pick to the Flames for prospect Kris Chucko. Sullivan is high risk, high reward acquisition, but if he can stay healthy (big if!) he'd be a solid pickup for the Flames. Chucko is only this year giving any indication as to why Flames brass made him a 1st round pick a couple years back, but he is still a ways away from making any impact at the NHL level.
3. Chris Pronger to the Bruins for Matt Hunwick, Joe Colbourne and a 1st round pick. Having one of Chara or Pronger on the ice for more than 90% of each and every game is too much to pass up for GM Chiarelli to pass on. If the Ducks hold out for Phil Kessel, the deal gets iced. If that's the case, a similar deal would land Tomas Kaberle from the Leafs. Another factor here is the Blues surprising interest in Pronger - Don't do it!
4. Pascal Leclaire to the Sens for Antoine Vermette. The speedy center has had a down year and could use a change in scenery. Columbus should be a good fit and he might get some consideration to play with Nash. Leclaire injury-riddled year has been disappointing as well and, of course, the emergence of Steve Mason. The Sens, with Leclaire and Elliott think they finally solved their goaltending woes - guess again!
5. Martin St. Louis to the Oilers for Robbie Schremp and Taylor Chorney. I just see the Oilers making a big splash with owner Darryl Katz on board.
6. Tim Connolly to Blue Jackets with Christian Backman and a 3rd round pick headed to Buffalo. Another big "IF", but Connolly if healthy, gives the Blue Jackets that center to play with Nash. Vermette still fits, just not on first line.
7. Mark Recchi to Pittsburgh for 2 third round draft picks in the next 2 years going to Tampa. Recchi playing great lately and further revitalized for a last stand in Steel Town.
8. Milan Hejduk to Pittsburgh with Alex Goligoski and Eric Tangradi heading to Colorado. Yes - GM Shero has already added Kunitz and Recchi, but he wants that true compliment for SC87 - Hejduk fits the bill!
9. Keith Tkachuk to Boston for a 2nd round draft pick going to St. Louis. They are on the cusp, and there are talks of the Blues being buyers. If this is the case, the Bruins may target Bill Guerin.
10. Mike Fisher to the Sharks for Logan Couture. I think Fisher (Mr. Carrie Underwood!) needs a change of scenery and he would flourish in San Jose. This is one proposed deal that I've hauled out of left field. No reports or rumours anywhere else allude to such a deal. A more likely scenario is Chris Neil going to the Sharks, with the Senators receiving a 2nd and 4th round draft picks.
11. Nik Antropov to Vancouver for a 1st round draft pick. This would give the 'Nucks some much needed depth at forward, despite what they may say or think. I'm just glad my Flames didn't trade for St. Nik.
12. Filip Kuba to Vancouver for Michael Grabner add a 3rd round pick. The Canucks defense are more fragile than a dozen eggs, especially Salo and Bieksa. Kuba gives them depth and adds a solid puck-moving d-man.
13. Derek Morris to the Capitals with prospects Oscar Osala and Sami Lepisto heading to the desert. Morris brings a solid 2 way game and I could see his game being elevated with the explosive Caps.
14. Scott Clemmenson to the Sabres for prospect Denis Persson. Short-term solution with Miller out. Lou rewards Clemmenson for his excellent fill-in play for Marty, by trading him to keep him in the NHL.
15. Marty Reasoner to Chicago for a 3rd and 6th rnd picks. Reasoner would be that solid depth forward, with experience and very good on the PK, that the Hawks could use.
16. Pavel Kubina (waive No-Trade clause) and Matt Stajan to the Rangers for prospect Bobby Sanguinetti, Artem Anisimov , a 1st and 2nd round draft pick. If Burke can somehow convince Kubina to fly to Broadway, the Leafs could include Stajan as well to get this deal done. Burke ends up keeping Kaberle, who should have plenty gas in the tank and can build the "D" around him and Schenn.
17. Olli Jokinen to the Habs for Chris Higgins and prospect Ryan McDonagh. The Canadiens want to make a splash and do just that. "The Joker" Jokinen should regain form with the presence of fellow countryman Saku Koivu. The Coyotes bid good riddance to a trade gone wrong. One would've thought Jokinen would've excelled under the tutelage of The Great One, but Olli found a way to drown in the desert.
18. Bill Guerin to the Capitals for a 2nd round pick. The Capitals could use Guerin's experience. You have to know what you're getting here though and it's not the Guerin of old. The Isles simply want to cash in on what few assets they have.
19. Michael Nylander to the Black Hawks in exchange for Dustin Byfuglien to the Capitals. With Patrick Sharp out, the Hawks are in the market for a 2nd line center. Byfuglien gives the Capitals more of a physical presence and shown some intriguing upside for a big guy. Conditioning and drive continue to be issues for him.
20. Dominic Moore to Washington for Chris Bourque and a 3rd round draft. Moore provides solid center depth for the Capitals and should be a valuable component for their playoff run, while the Leafs continue their rebuilding process, getting the son of the great Raymond Bourque.
21. Jay McKee to the Rangers for 3rd and 4th round draft picks. The Blues have been looking to move McKee and his pay cheque and have found takers in the Rangers and their leaky "D".
22. Jeff Halpern to the Panthers for Michal Repik. The Panthers add solid 2-way forward Halpern who should prove valuable for the franchise's much needed playoff push.
23. Ian Laperriere to the Canadiens for prospect d-man Mathieu Carle and a 3rd round draft pick. Laperierre will instantly be a fan fav in Montreal. Carle, in the minors, had requested a trade apparently.
24. Jamal Mayers to the Devils for a 3rd round draft pick. The Devils simply want to add some depth with this move.
25. Brendan Witt to Columbus for 4th and 5th round draft picks. The Jackets take on some salary, but get physical crease-clearing vet d-man who should make life easier for rookie Steve Mason.
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