Top Five Players to be Moved at Trade Deadline
It's a date that has been circled on the calendar all season for hockey fans. Monday, February 28th is the day for contenders to make that last move which could result in a Stanley Cup, and for rebuilding teams to sell of veterans for future assets. Last years deadline saw 53 players moved and according to TSN that was the most ever. This years deadline could virtually attract the same amount of activity. Hockeysureshot feels that five NHL clubs are realistically eliminated from playoff contention. They are Edmonton, New Jersey, NY Islanders, Toronto and Ottawa. We feel that Florida, St. Louis, and Columbus will be teetering on the brink of elimination by month's end.
Which leaves us to the five most attractive players to be moved by contenders. First, let's take a look at the clubs who are projected to be the most active. The Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Ray Shero always seem to make a move at the deadline. With the injury to Evgeni Malkin, and the health concerns of Sidney Crosby look for the Penguins to acquire a forward.
The NY Rangers are in the midst of a losing streak and badly need a point man on their struggling power play. Los Angeles could use a winger to play with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Two Northeast division rivals, Boston and Montreal are looking for a stay at home defensemen. Throw in the San Jose Sharks as another team looking for defense. The Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators desperately need offense.
The goaltending market seems dry, but are the Philadelphia Flyers comfortable with Sergei Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher? Does Washington truly feel confident in Semyon Varlmov and Michal Neuvirth between the pipes? Below we break it down.
Breakdown of top five players to be moved:
#5 Chris Phillips, Ottawa Senators
Veteran defensemen who has struggled on a awful Ottawa team this season. He is a free agent at the end of the year which is important and will probably welcome a change of scenery. Philips has not registered a goal and is a -26 this season. He clearly has missed former defense partner Anton Volchenkov. He is big at 6'3 220 lbs. and would clearly help a team that has a solid defense.
Prediction: We'll guess that Philips ends up a Boston Bruin. Boston has offensive assets that Ottawa desperately needs.
#4 Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers
Penner is the Oilers leading scorer, but that's not saying much since he only has 34 points. He's a streaky scorer who had success in the playoffs with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. He is signed through next season so the team that acquires him will need to have salary cap space. Penner would be a good fit on a line with a skilled center.
Prediction: The Pittsburgh Penguins were looking for a forward before the injuries to Crosby and Malkin. Penner may be their best option.
#3 Tomas Kaberle, Toronto Maple Leafs
It seems like Kaberle has been on the market for years. Toronto needs to move the free agent to be and start building with young players in the organization. He may be a bit overrated, but will undoubtedly help a team looking for offense from the blueline.
Prediction: The NY Rangers are the most logical fit and we can't see why he wouldn't waive his no trade clause to play on Broadway.
#2 Bryan McCabe, Florida Panthers
McCabe is having a solid year for Florida and would add grit and leadership to any clubs blueline. The Panthers are continuing to rebuild and are realistically a year or two away from serious playoff contenders. The value of physical stay at home defensemen come playoff time can't be underestimated. Florida Panthers GM, Dale Tallon should receive plenty of offers for McCabe right down to the final hour.
Prediction: Montreal would love to pair him with Hal Gill, especially since they have lost Andrei Markov for the season.
#1 Tomas Vokoun, Florida Panthers
Here is our surprise of the trade deadline. The Florida Panthers Tomas Vokoun is an elite goalie who is not signed past this year. They have the highly regarded, Jacob Markstrom waiting in the wings. If the Panthers are still sitting seven points out of the playoffs by the end of the month they may have to move Vokoun to get something back for him at least. The bigger question is if any of the contenders are seriously looking at a goaltender. If they are, Vokoun would be a huge addition.
Prediction: The Washington Capitals can say all they want about how they like their young goalies, but if the opportunity presents itself to acquire Vokoun they would have to consider it. With the Penguins injury issues and the Flyers having goaltending questions of their own, this could be a move that make the Capitals the favorites in the Eastern Conference. There has to be enormous pressure on Washington to advance far in the playoffs this season and they may feel a goalie like Vokoun may give them their best shot.
