The trade deadline is now less than two weeks away which means that activity levels around the league are bound to pick up in the coming days. With the standings continuing to be as tight as they are, it’s going to certainly be interesting to see how that affects the market. Will teams wait until the last minute to see where they are or will they try to make an earlier move in the hopes that an extra few games from a key acquisition will make the difference?
With that in mind, it’s time to run another mailbag to take your questions on the upcoming trade deadline and other topics from around the NHL. I’ll be answering your queries this coming weekend. You can submit your question on Twitter by including #PHRMailbag or leave a comment down below.
You can catch up on our last mailbag set by clicking here and here where the topics included reshaping the Oilers, trade options for Detroit, what Calgary should be looking to add by the deadline, the goalie situation in St. Louis, whether Vancouver will buy or sell, and much more.
Could Hayes and Zuccarello be moved to the same team? Would someone like Boston who could use a 3rd line center (Hayes), a winger for Krejci (Zuccarello), and some immediate help if Pastrnak is out for awhile? What would that return look like?
Are the Blue Jackets a buyer and a seller at the deadline? Could Panarin be moved and then bring in someone like Duchene?
Rutherford has always spun twine into gold. Now what player that doesn’t fit in on another team will be traded for Jack Johnson and hoist the cup at season’s end?
Do you see Pittsburgh doing anything else before the deadline? As far as the back end goes, Schultz is returning, but Maata was placed on the IR. They’ll need defensive depth for a playoff stretch run. Even if Maata comes back it wouldn’t hurt to have another D-man to spell or even replace Jack Johnson if needed.
Is Wayne Simmonds’ potential trade return more valuable to the Flyers than his worth as a 20 game “rental” to themselves for their playoff push?
Do the jackets wait till the very end to decide on Bob and Artemi. They need to know 100% where they are in the playoff picture as well as what prices are as they likely cant trade Panarin for less than Duchene if he goes.
Rumors are of he makes it, Calgary and Winnipeg interested in Stone. If either makes this trade are they the cream of the Western crop or does Calgary still have to address its Goaltending?
what do you see happening with Erik Karlsson? Sharks can now start negotiating but may want to focus on the season.
Burakovsky? Does WSH need a depth defender?
Why are top players so keen on 7/8 year contracts? salary cap is unlikely to go down significantly and top money will always be there for quality players like karlsson and stone unless dramatic drop off in production surely no trade clauses on 3/4 year deal would be better for them plus if team goes bad quick like the rangers did easier for them to leave for another contender.
Nyquist to Winnipeg for a 1st, Glendening to Toronto for a 3rd, and Howard to SanJose for a future 2nd. If HOLLAND wants to resign Nyquist and Howard in the off-season isn’t this the best thing for the Redwings now and in the future?
What are the Islanders going to do? any likelihood they Gerry Simmonds or Panarin?
Hurricanes are making a run at the playoffs, but can’t afford to lose Ferland for nothing in the offseason. Do you see him moving on at the deadline?
what do you thinks the habs will do as dead line is almost near
Do you have a dark horse trade candidate in your mind that no one is talking about?
Do you think Andre Burakovsky is definitely gonna get moved? What team do you think will land him? Are The NJ Devils gonna be sellers this year? Their season is lost
The Isles are playing playoff style hockey right now. Tight checking low scoring games with great goal tending. I know Lou Lamoriello is secretive but the teams offense since the All-Star break and power play (all season) have not been good. Andrew Ladd is due back but he has not been a consistent scorer when healthy and is often injured. Do you think LL makes the big dangerous move forfeiting possibly a 1st, 2nd, Anthony Beauvillier and someone in Bridgeport for that top scoring sniper (Duchene, Stone, Panarin, huberdeau) many of which are UFA after the season? Do you see him making a run at Kovalchuk (I don’t want a mid 30’s player with 2 more years on contract) or do you think he stands pat with lots of cap space making a run at UFA’s in the Summer?
When do you think teams will actually start making trades with the expansion draft in mind?
When is Sweeney going to pull the trigger on a smart trade? His track record isn’t exactly spot on. They need a top 6 forward. I like Stone, not really Simmons….who do you think makes the best sense?