4:56 p.m. -- More deals
A few more trades have happened in the past hour. You can find all the info here.
4:20 p.m. -- Norstrom to Stars
We finally got wind of where Matty Norstrom is headed. Reportedly, the Dallas Stars. A couple more deals have been made, I'll get to them shortly.
4:14 p.m. -- Ryan Smyth trade analysis
At last check, the league was still approving the Islanders' trade for Edmonton captain Ryan Smyth. Let's just assume this thing gets through. Isles fans should be doing backflips right now, because the have just transformed from pretender to contender.
With good coaching (Ted Nolan), solid goaltending (Rick DiPietro), a much-improved offense (Smyth and Richard Zednik), the Islanders now have the firepower to move up in the standings and maybe win a couple of rounds in the playoffs.
Don't forget, Jason Blake is staying put. I chided Garth Snow earlier for hanging onto him -- but once he found out Smyth was available, I don't blame him for keeping Blake. When you have a chance to acquire a 31-goal winger, you don't offset that gain by dealing away your team's leading scorer.
Smyth has been one of the league's best pure goal scorers during his 12-year career. He's scored 30 goals or more four times. He's on the small side at 6-1, 190, and has had some injury problems because he doesn't shy away from contact in front of the net. But since the debut of the "new NHL," with more room for skating and smaller players, Smyth has posted 30 goals twice, including this year.
Have to move on to cover a few other deals, but I'll get back to this later. . .
4:03 p.m. -- Quickly, on Norstrom
Sorry I disappeared, but I had to update the rest of Newsday.com with the Ryan Smyth news. I'll provide some commentary on that deal in a sec, but first:
We've heard zippo on the Matty Norstrom front in the last hour or so. I'm still trying to find out what's going on with that.
3:33 p.m. -- Wow! Ryan Smyth to Islanders
Newsday's Greg Logan reports the Islanders have traded prospects Robert Nilsson and Ryan O'Marra, plus a first round draft pick to Edmonton for 31-goal scorer Ryan Smyth. Read Greg's blog for the details.
3:30 p.m. -- Bertuzzi trade official
This is from NHL.com:
Detroit will send a conditional pick – either a first-, second- or third-round selection – in this year’s draft and a conditional second-round pick in next year’s draft to obtain the services of Bertuzzi, who is just a year removed from being one of the most coveted players in the League.
Notably, there is no mention of Detroit including prospect Shawn Matthias in the deal, which had been reported earlier.
3:25 p.m. -- Scott Parker traded
Try not get too excited, but the Sharks have traded goon Scott Parker to Colorado for a draft pick. No offense, Scott! Moving on. . .
3:19 p.m. -- Norstrom traded?
TSN is now saying that Kings captain Matty Norstrom has been traded. I'm trying to find out to whom and for whom.
3:16 p.m. -- More Bertuzzi details
Reports linking Tood Bertuzzi to Detroit seem stronger than ever as more unconfirmed details of a trade emerge.
TSN says the prospect Detroit will give Florida in return for Bertuzzi is center Shawn Matthias, a second-round draft pick in 2006.
3:03 p.m. -- Deadline passes, looks like Blake is staying
Newsday's Greg Logan checks in with another blog on Jason Blake. Here's an excerpt:
"When St. Louis traded Bill Guerin to San Jose earlier this afternoon, that was the strongest indication that the Islanders’ leading scorer wouldn’t be going anywhere. The Sharks were said to be the leading bidder for Blake last night, and they obviously have spent their ammunition, dealing both first-round picks they had in this year’s draft in deals for Guerin and Montreal defenseman Craig Rivet, as well as young defenseman Josh Gorges to the Canadiens."
It's hard to know whether or not the Islanders really intended to trade Blake or not, but if they did (and they should have), this is a misstep by general manager Garth Snow. San Jose's first choice may have been Bill Guerin all along, and maybe Bertuzzi was Detroit's first choice.
But now the Islanders will have to take their chances with a player who probably won't be back in the offseason, is mired in a bad scoring slump and just spent the past 24 hours in limbo since no one from Islanders apparently told him what was going on.
Not good. It will be interesting to see how the team reacts. Will they bond together now that Blake seems to be staying put? In the short term, it's nothing but a good thing for the Isles, who will certainly need Blake down the stretch run in the Eastern Conference. But saving him just for 20 more games plus maybe five or six in the playoffs? It doesn't make sense to me.
2:57 p.m. -- Vital Timo Helbling news
A little comic relief here: Defenseman Timo Helbling, just so you know, is the minor-leaguer headed to Buffalo in the Dainius Zubrus deal we blogged on earlier.
2:55 p.m. -- Yanic Perrault to Toronto
Phoenix has reportedly traded face-off wizard Yanic Perrault to the Maple Leafs for young defenseman Brendan Bell and a second-round draft pick.
Perrault, 35, has made a career out of his extraordinary prowess at winning draws, which certainly comes in handy for a team needing an extra boost in the playoffs. Since the league began keeping faceoff statistics in 1998-999, he's won 60 percent or more of his faceoffs in every season but one. This year, he's 62.6 percent on draws.
2:47 p.m. -- Zubrus to Buffalo
They deals are pouring in now, about as hard as the rain outside. The Washington Capitals have reportedly traded RW Dainius Zubrus and a minor-leaguer to Buffalo for forward Jiri Novotny and a first-round draft pick.
Buffalo is going for broke. They made a brilliant move earlier in the day, freeing up cap space by trading Martin Biron to the Flyers and replacing him with Columbus' Ty Conklin, who makes about $1.7 million less.
Then they went out and used the cap space, acquiring Zubrus, who has 20 goals this year and makes $1.85 million. That's absolutely brilliant management by Sabres GM Darcy Regier.
Buffalo has been the class of the East all year long, but recently they've had injuries to top forwards Maxim Afinogenov and Chris Drury (Tim Connolly is already done for the year).
We don't know how well Zubrus will play in Buffalo, but you have to like it when your general manager is creative and aggressive to help patch a hole.
2:39 p.m. -- Rangers dump Dupuis
It looks the Pascal Dupuis' tenure in New York is over after just six games. Several web sites have reported that the Rangers have dealt him to Atlanta.
This is not entirely suprising, as Dupuis had been mostly invisible on the ice since scoring a goal in his first game.
The Rangers will get back a prospect, whose name I do not yet know. I'll try to find out and get back to you.
2:30 p.m. -- Bertuzzi update
TSN reports that Detroit will trade a conditional draft pick (probably based on how many games Bertuzzi plays the rest of the year) and a prospect to Florida for Todd Bertuzzi. Details still emerging. . .
Bertuzzi, 31, is in the final season of a four-year, $27.8 million contract that he originally signed with Vancouver.
2:24 p.m. -- Nothing yet from Isles
Newsday's Greg Logan checks in on his blog. Read it to find out what's up with Jason Blake.
My feeling? If Detroit got Bertuzzi, and San Jose got Guerin, the market for Blake took a big hit. Dallas, Nashville and Vancouver may still be in the bidding.
2:23 p.m. -- TSN: Bertuzzi to Wings
Though it's not confirmed, TSN reports that Detroit has acquired injured winger Todd Bertuzzi from Florida. Details were not immediately available. I'll let you know once I find out more.
2:22 p.m. -- Two more deals
A couple of depth deals reported in Canada: Fourth-liner Brad May was shipped from Colorado to Anaheim and Phoenix sent Oleg Saprykin and a late-round pick to Ottawa for a second-round pick. Big news coming down now . . .
2:19 p.m. -- Quickly. . .
That earlier Ty Conklin-to-Buffalo trade was for a 5th round draft pick. Just making sure you have all that info.
2:17 p.m. -- Great deal for Rangers
Whether or not Paul Mara can be a reliable power play quarterback is open for discussion. But the simple fact that the Rangers were able to unload the ineffective Aaron Ward for him makes this a good move on their part.
The fact that they were able to acquire someone who is 27 years old, makes roughly the same money as Ward, and has the potential to contribute to their power play makes it a great move.
Mara was having a rough year in Boston, where fell out of favor with head coach Dave Lewis and was on pace (3-15-18) for his worst offseason season in six years (he was also an awful minus-22).
But Ward had worn out his welcome in New York after confronting Jaromir Jagr on the Rangers' bench during a Feb. 3 game against Tampa. He reportedly questioned the captain's leadership and the two had not gotten along well ever since.
And Mara provides an element that the Rangers haven't had since they traded Brian Leetch: A legitimate offensive talent on the blueline. Don't make the mistake of thinking he's anywhere near as good as Leetch; it may be fairer to say that he's a notch above Michal Rozsival, talent-wise.
It should be interesting to see how he looks on the Rangers power play if he plays tonight.
1:35 p.m. -- Confirmed: Rangers get Ward for Mara
Newsday's Steve Zipay has confirmed that the Rangers acquired defenseman Paul Mara from the Boston Bruins in return for defenseman Aaron Ward.
Mara had fallen out of favor in Boston, but has the talent to be the power play quarterback the Rangers need.
I couldn't find out much about Mara's contract situation, except that he is making $3 million this year. Ward is signed through next season. He is making $2.75 million this year and $3 million next year.
1:30 p.m. -- Bill Guerin trade & details confirmed
Just saw that NHL.com had posted that the Bill Guerin trade to San Jose is official. Here are the details:
The Sharks get Guerin, 36, from St. Louis in exchange for LW Ville Nieminen, a 2007 1st-round pick, and prospect Jay Barriball.
1:28 p.m. -- TSN: Rangers trade Aaron Ward to Boston
Click here to read Steve Zipay's blog about a reported trade of Rangers defenseman Aaron Ward to Boston.
Ward and Jaromir Jagr had a shouting match on the Rangers' bench in early February which had become the subject of much media discussion. Ward had also played terribly for most of this season, so the move is not entirely surprising.
1:23 p.m. -- Waiver claims
A few minor moves here. Montreal has claimed G Michael Leighton off waivers from Philadelphia. Rangers forward Jason Krog is on his way back to Atlanta. Denis Hamel is on his way to Philly. Niko Kapanen to Phoenix and G Brian Boucher to Columbus.
12:53 p.m. -- Pittsburgh trades Dominic Moore to Wild
TSN reports are saying the Penguins have traded the checking line center (and former Ranger) to Minnesota for a 3rd round draft pick.
I guess Moore became expendable with the Pens acquiring Georges Laraque and Gary Roberts today, and getting a 3rd rounder back for him seems reasonable. After watching Moore play a lot last year and a bit this year, I can tell you that he will definitely help Minnesota.
He's a smart, hustling player and a good penalty killer. He has some playmaking ability, too. A solid third or fourth line guy. Wild coach Jacques Lemaire will probably love him.
12:25 p.m. -- Report: Rangers check Bertuzzi's medical records
According to Montreal radio station Team 990, the Rangers have asked to see the medical records of injured Panthers forward Todd Bertuzzi.
Bertuzzi, a former 40-goal scorer, has only played seven games this season while sitting out with a back injury. He's in the last year of a contract that pays him roughly $5.27 this season.
12:22 p.m. -- Zubrus on the move?
We're now hearing that Dainius Zubrus was not dressed for practice this morning, meaning a trade is likely on the way. According to Newsday's Steve Zipay, the Rangers were looking into Zubrus' availability, but there are a number of other teams who were also reportedly trying to acquire him.
12:18 p.m. -- Guerin details emerging
It looks like Bill Guerin is headed to the Sharks as part of a three-way trade involving the Blues and an unknown team. Early reports are that the Sharks will surrender a first round pick previously acquired from New Jersey and a top prospect in the deal. More to follow. . .
12:12 p.m. -- Biron update
Hold the phone on the Martin Biron trade. It looks like a done deal, but not for a first round pick. We'll let you know when we find out for sure.
I still don't like the move. The point isn't what Philly gave up for him, it's that Philly already has two goalies of similar ability (Robert Esche and Antero Niittymaki).
12:10 p.m. -- Laraque trade details
TSN reports that enforcer Georges Laraque is headed from Phoenix to Pittsburgh. Phoenix gets Daniel Carcillo and an eighth-round pick.
For some reason, Laraque had a no-trade clause, which he had to waive in order for the trade to go through. Figure that one out.
In any event, the Penguins clearly felt they had to get tougher, and with the additions of Laraque and Gary Roberts, they have.
12:02 p.m. -- Guerin a Shark?
TSN is now saying they believe Bill Guerin is headed to the Sharks. We'll wait a few more minutes for the smoke to clear and trade details to emerge, and then provide some analysis.
11:59 a.m. -- More Guerin
TSN is saying that Guerin has definitely been traded, but we don't know where yet. Anaheim, San Jose and Detroit have all expressed interest. Don't be surprised if he ends up in one of those cities.
11:55 a.m. -- Bill Guerin news
TSN has reported that Bill Guerin was not on the ice for the Blues' morning skate. That means a trade is almost certain to be announced. We'll keep you posted.
11:54 a.m. -- Conklin to Buffalo
New reports on TSN say Columbus has traded backup goalie Ty Conklin to Buffalo for an undisclosed draft pick. If that's true, it's a good move for the Sabres.
Not only did they replace Martin Biron, who they have apparently traded to Philadelphia, they also saved a nice chunk of money under the cap. Biron was still owed about $530,000 this year, while Conklin will only make around $128,000 the rest of the way. That extra wiggle room could help the Sabres add a depth player this afternoon.
Buffalo is currently without six regular players, including Maxim Afinogenov, Chris Drury, Jaroslav Spacek and Tim Connolly, who is out for the season.
They have been stuck in cap hell all season, unable to improve their team because they've been right at the $44 million limit. Now they've got a little flexibility.
11:42 a.m. -- Phoenix will trade Laraque
It looks like the Coyotes' firesale has begun. They've told tough guy Georges Laraque that he's going to be traded, but according to Rogers Sportsnet in Canada, they're giving him two choices: Calgary or Pittsburgh.
Check out the link for more info on that deal.
11:07 a.m. -- Sabres to trade Biron?
Reports out of Canada have the Flyers acquiring Sabres backup Martin Biron for one of the first round picks they acquired from Nashville in the Peter Forsberg trade.
If that's true, I don't like the move. Here's why:
Even though the pick Philadelphia is giving up will likely be in the 26th-30th overall range, I don't know if Biron solves the Flyers' ever-present goaltending problems.
Ever since the death of Pelle Lindbergh in 1985, it seems like the Flyers have been searching for the goalie who would take them back to the top. They've tried an endless list of netminders: Ron Hextall, Sean Burke, John Vanbeisbrouck, Antero Niittymaki, Robert Esche, Roman Cechmanek, Garth Snow, Tommy Soderstrom, and Brian Boucher to name a few. And yet in the past 20 years, none of them has led the Flyers to a Stanley Cup title.
And Biron isn't going to do it either. If you look at his career numbers, with a 2.49 GAA and a .910 save percentage coming into this year, you might think the Flyers got a great No. 1 starter.
In fact, they got an average one. Over the past seven seasons, Biron, a former 16th overall pick, has had numerous chances to lock down the No. 1 spot in Buffalo. But for one reason or another, he's never been able to do it.
He's been great the last two years on a very good Sabres team, but he isn't the type of goaltender who can carry a team to the Cup.
Even worse, he's an unrestricted free agent after the season, meaning Philly will probably have to spend big to keep him (definitely more than the $2.2 million he makes now.)
Maybe he'll prove me wrong and play extremely well in Philadelphia. But I wouldn't bet on it. I think in a few years, he'll just be another name in the list I provided above.
10:45 a.m. -- A chat with Steve Zipay
I spoke to our Rangers beat writer for about 20 minutes earlier. He obviously feels today's Jagr reports are totally overblown, and I agree. If the Rangers make a move, it's likely to be relatively minor.
Steve did indicate that the Rangers have shown a bit of interest in Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook (4-11-15), but didn't provide many details.
He also said the Rangers were checking into the availability of Washington's Dainius Zubrus (20-32-52), who will be a free agent after the season.
Based on my impression of our conversation, I'd say there's about about 25 percent chance the Rangers might get Zubrus, and about a 10 percent chance they'd get Seabrook.
And a 0.01 percent chance they'll trade Jagr.
10:27 a.m. -- Quick note on Roberts
It's all but confirmed now that Gary Roberts will be a Pittsburgh Penguins. This a good move for the Pens, who could scare some teams with their talented offense and potentially hot goaltending. Roberts, 40, will provide a veteran presence alongside Mark Recchi, who last year was a key contributor to Carolina's Stanley Cup run.
9:58 a.m. -- More on Jagr from Steve Zipay
Newsday's Rangers beat man, Steve Zipay, has this to say on the Jagr report in his blog:
"I just seriously doubt that Jagr, the team captain, whose contract has great value and is the face of the franchise, is being "shopped" with any aggressiveness -- or that he'll be traded today."
9:40 a.m. -- Ryan Smyth rumors put to bed?
A report out of Edmonton casts doubt on rumors that the Oilers will trade 31-goal scorer and UFA-to-be Ryan Smyth.
The bottom line is that if the Oilers can hammer out a contract with Smyth -- which they'd clearly prefer to do -- Smyth isn't going anywhere. He's been a mainstay of their team for 12 years.
9:20 a.m. -- First, on Jagr
Wow, lots to talk about this morning.
First, I wanted to discuss the reports this morning that the Rangers are offering Jaromir Jagr around the NHL. Before I saying anything else, two points need to be made:
1) Trading Jagr is not as terrible an idea as it seems.
2) Jagr almost certainly will not be traded today.
By offering Jagr around, Glen Sather is doing -- to use a sports cliche -- his "due diligence." Which is to say that trading Jagr is not so unheard of -- so ridiculous -- that it wouldn't be worth Sather's time to see what he could get in return for him.
That said, I am a little surprised that the Rangers would even consider it. The fact they would even consider dealing him proves to me that, deep down, they know their team has no legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup this year.
Whether or not they will be willing or able to act on that knowledge remains to be seen.
I know what Jagr has meant to the team, I know he sells lots of jerseys and tickets, and I actually think he's a pretty good guy. But he's 35, he's got a bad shoulder and a recurring groin problem and it's hard to believe he has another 50-goal season in him. His best days are behind him now.
He only counts for about $4.9 million against the salary cap (thank you Washington Capitals), but clearing out that space would open the door for the Rangers to find a new, younger centerpiece for the team this summer. Don't forget, Brendan Shanahan's $4 million and Sandis Ozolinsh's $2.75 million come off the books, too. That's at least $11 million in cap space that Sather would be free to spend on a terrific crop of free agents that will include Buffalo's Chris Drury, Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, Montreal's Sheldon Souray, and New Jersey's Scott Gomez and Bryan Rafalski.
I'm not saying I'd like to see Jagr go, nor do I think they'll be able to move his bulky $8.36 million contract, but just think about what the Rangers could get for him -- and what they could do with the money they'd save. Now you can understand why Sather might consider it.
12:41 a.m. -- Final Blake update for tonight
Greg Logan's Islanders story, which will appear in tomorrow's Newsday, is posted on Newsday.com. Here's the link.
I have to say I'm surprised -- bordering on shocked -- that the Islanders seem to be ready to part ways with Blake. But as I wrote earlier, I think it's the right move for the long-term health of the franchise. And they could always bring Blake back in the offseason, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The fun part now will be finding out where he ends up.
OK, now it's really bed time. G'night.
12:36 a.m. -- TSN: Roberts makes his decision
I was just about done shutting down the 30 or so tabbed windows I had open when I saw that TSN is reporting that Gary Roberts will waive his no-trade clause and join. . .the Pittsburgh Penguins!
If you read my earlier post, in which I gambled that Roberts would land in Toronto, you now understand why I work for a living.
The Penguins are believed to be sending young defenseman Noah Welch to Florida in return for Roberts. Here's a little literature on Welch from hockeysfuture.com. He has 1 goal, 1 assist and 22 penalty minutes in 22 games for Pittsburgh this season.
12:23 a.m. -- Time to put the baby to bed
Well, it's getting pretty late here so I think I'd better turn in. I'll be back tomorrow morning with plenty of links to deadline coverage from Newsday and beyond.
G'night!
12:20 a.m. -- Rangers chatter
Reliable Rangers blogger The Hockey Rodent chimes in with some suggestions of players in whom the Rangers might have interest.
The name that caught my eye as being the logical is Edmonton's Ryan Smyth. Reasons that this is worth thinking about:
1) He's a goal scorer. The Rangers desperately need goal scorers.
2) He was drafted by the Glen Sather regime in Edmonton.
3) Glen Sather is currently in Edmonton for jersey retirement ceremonies honoring Mark Messier.
4) Glen Sather is good buddies with Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe, who won five Stanley Cups with the Oilers during Sather's tenure as coach/GM.
Other than that, the Rodent's comments are more educated guesses than anything else. But with so many rumors swirling around, what else can you really provide?
12:05 a.m. -- Mathieu Schneider, anyone?
There are facts. There are reports. There are rumors. And then there are just plain fantasies. I'd say the idea that the Islanders would acquire an elite power play quarterback like Detroit's Mathieu Schneider fall somewhere between rumor and fantasy.
And yet there have been some far-fetched suggestions that Detroit would deal its UFA-to-be defenseman, and naturally a team like the Islanders -- who still have a bit of room under the cap -- would be interested.
But this is where the fantasy part comes in. First, acquiring Schneider would cost the Islanders a pretty penny -- likely Jason Blake and a top prospect or draft pick. True, the Wings are looking for second-line scoring help, but they also have the second-best team in the league. Their 17th-ranked power play is one of their other main concerns and I don't see how trading Schneider for just about anyone on the Islanders would improve that.
The Wings still have Nick Lidstrom to play the point, but beyond that, they'd have to replace Schneider either with a forward or a defenseman playing out of his element. Not gonna happen.
When you're as good as the Wings have been all year long, you don't trade a key defenseman, no matter what his contract situation. Forwards are easier to replace, but finding a quality power play quarterback is worth its weight in gold. Schneider's staying put. Islanders fans, if you want Schneider, write to Garth Snow and ask the GM to sign Schneider in the offseason.
11:35 p.m. -- Blake seems certain to go
If you followed my advice and checked out our Islanders blog, you know by now that Newsday's Greg Logan feels the writing's on the wall and Jason Blake has played his last game as an Islander. Click here to read the full blog.
10:54 p.m. -- Isles, Rangers blogs
Don't forget that I've got some company this year in the NHL blogging department. Although they won't be updating live during the deadline, you should still check on our Islanders and Rangers' beat blogs for news updates.
Here are the links:
10:32 p.m. -- Belated Tkachuk analysis
I know I'm late in the game here, but I wanted to offer my thoughts about the trade that sent Keitk Tkachuk to Atlanta on Sunday. I'm not going to rehash the details -- if you want them, click here -- just throw out a couple quick thoughts.
1. Atlanta is as desperate as any team in the NHL to make the playoffs. In seven seasons (this is their eighth), they've never made the playoffs, despite having several talented teams and one failed guarantee by GM Don Waddell, who will almost certainly be fired if the Thrashers fall short this year.
2. Keith Tkachuk is not the player he used to be, but at 34, isn't quite as old as you think. He's got a lot of mileage on him, and last season he coped with the embarrassment of being suspended by the Blues for coming into camp out of shape. But he's enjoying a bounce-back year and he's been relatively healthy. He gives Atlanta something they don't really have -- a big presence in front of the net (Scott Mellanby can't be that guy anymore).
3. St. Louis got an absolute bounty in exchange for Tkachuk. Blues GM John Davidson knew he had Atlanta by the cajones and he squeezed tight, milking three draft picks out of them -- plus another first-rounder if Tkachuk re-signs with Atlanta. Tkachuk will be a UFA this summer and Davidson can still bring him back next year, if he feels it's a proper fit.
4. The Blues are a perenially average team that has never won a Stanley Cup in 39 seasons. Because of his New York connections, I think it's fair to say I'm pulling for Davidson to do well in St. Louis. Here's hoping he can make the Blues into a winner.
10:14 p.m. -- Bill Guerin to Isles? Don't think so
According to Newsday's Greg Logan, the Islanders are not involved in the bidding for St. Louis winger Bill Guerin.
Here's a quote from Greg's story in today's Newsday:
Some media outlets have reported the Islanders are close to landing St. Louis forward Bill Guerin, but in fact, they aren't among the bidders. To acquire Guerin, they would have to part with Kyle Okposo, the seventh overall pick in last June's draft, who is enjoying a great freshman season at the University of Minnesota. If the Islanders have one untouchable player, it's Okposo.
10:05 p.m. -- Ryan Smyth
Another name worth throwing out there is Edmonton's Ryan Smyth. Smyth has been as reliable as they come for the Oilers, scoring 23 goals or more seven times in his career, and 30 goals or more four times in his career.
But the notoriously cash-strapped Oilers aren't sure whether they'll be able to re-sign Smyth, who is set to become a free agent in the offseason. Oilers GM Kevin Lowe has reportedly been meeting with Smyth, attempting to discern whether the two sides can iron out a pact that will keep Smyth in Edmonton beyond the 2007 season.
If not, you can add a very prominent name to the list of UFA trade bait. The Oilers could demand an even better package than the one Atlanta gave St. Louis for Keith Tkachuk (a 1st round, 2nd round and 3rd round pick, plus another conditional 1st-rounder). Smyth has 31 goals this season; Tkachuk has 20.
9:52 p.m. -- Rumors everywhere
Just throwing a few items out there gleaned from other blogs. . .
According to TSN, the Rangers, Ducks, Wings and maybe the Islanders are interested in acquiring Todd Bertuzzi from Florida. Bertuzzi has missed all but seven games this season with a herniated disc in his back. It's unclear if the former 40-goal scorer will even be able return to the ice this season.
According to ESPN.com, the Sharks are dangling Evgeni Nabokov to the Florida Panthers, who have been hurting badly for goaltending since trading Roberto Luongo for the aforementioned Bertuzzi last summer.
TSN is also reporting that the Penguins could pursue St. Louis UFA-to-be Bill Guerin if Gary Roberts nixes his trade to Pittsburgh.
9:29 p.m. -- Worth mentioning: Gary Roberts
For those of you who haven't been following along too closely, there is something of a public bidding war going on as the Florida Panthers try to trade 40-year-old winger Gary Roberts.
Earlier today, word leaked out that the Penguins had reached an agreement on a trade with Florida that would bring Roberts to Pittsburgh. Problem is, Roberts has a full no-trade clause, and previously had told the Penguins he would only accept a trade to Ottawa or Toronto.
Ottawa, once thought to be a front-runner for the gritty, experienced Roberts, dropped out of the bidding while Toronto has now, according to the TSN.ca web site, increased its offer for Roberts. You can read more about it and follow the whole saga here.
To me, it seems like much ado about nothing -- Roberts is an over-the-hill power forward who resorts mostly to dirty tactics to keep his career going. But he plays the game very hard, and still drives to the net -- and boy do they love that in Canada!
If I were a betting man (and I am), I'd take 3 to 2 odds that Roberts will be a Maple Leaf when we wake up tomorrow morning.
Even though the Penguins have a better chance to make a long run in the playoffs, and Roberts could play on a top line with Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh, it seems like both he and the Leafs have made up their minds to reunite. We'll see.
8:45 p.m. -- Three-way deal
Here's an interesting trade: The web site TSN.ca reports that the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers just pulled off a three-way deal.
According to the report, Chicago traded defenseman Lasse Kukkonen and a 3rd round pick to the Flyers for forward Kyle Calder, who played his first six seasons with the Hawks. Chicago then sent Calder to the Red Wings for forward Jason Williams.
This is a strange move by the Wings, who are two points out of first place in the Central Division (in fact, they're two points out of first place overall in the NHL). They nurtured Williams in their minor-league system for four years, and it finally paid off last year when he scored 21 goals in 80 games. He's struggled this year, scoring 11 times in 58 games.
Still, I'm not exactly sure why Detroit would make this move.
Calder, 28, is two years older than Williams and has only 9 goals in 59 games this season for Philly, two fewer than Williams. He does have two 20-goal seasons in the bank.
Maybe Detroit was wary of Williams' poor playoff stats (2 points in 20 career games). But Calder has only played 5 playoff games in his career.
The only thing I can figure is Detroit wants some help on the penalty kill. Calder was one of the top four penalty killers in Philadelphia and Chicago during the past two seasons. But it's not like the Wings' PK is a major problem -- they're a respectable 12th-best in the league.
I don't get it.
What I do get is that Philadelphia made a pretty shrewd move, ridding themselves of an underachiever who was set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. They got back a third-round pick and a solid top-six defenseman in Kukkonen, who at 25 should help the Flyers transition from the slow, bruising blueline they've iced the past two seasons to one that's more in line with today's faster-paced NHL.
Don't forget: The Flyers have already added a ton of youth by trading Peter Forsberg and Alexei Zhitnik the past two weeks. On Saturday they picked up young defenseman Braydon Coburn from Atlanta for Zhitnik, a pretty nice move by new GM Paul Holmgren. Coburn, a former 8th overall pick, has struggled to find his game so far at the NHL level, but there's lots of potential there.
I'd say Philadelphia is on its way to what could be a pretty good turnaround.
8:23 p.m. -- Canucks acquire Smolinski, Sopel
The Vancouver Canucks have just made two trades. First, they acquired center Bryan Smolinski from the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional 2nd round pick. They have also acquired defenseman Brent Sopel from the Los Angeles Kings for second and fourth round draft picks.
Here's where the Canucks stand and why they're making this move: With 20 games to play, they have a two-point lead on Minnesota for first place in the Northwest Division. Currently, they're the third playoff seed. But if they are caught by the Wild or third-place Calgary (four points off the division lead), they could easily fall into 7th or 8th place in the conference. That would mean a scary matchup against Nashville or Anaheim in the first round.
More importantly, the Canucks truly believe they have a chance to win it all. With Roberto Luongo in net, they have finally solved their goaltending problems.
Many in Vancouver felt that by improving their awful, 28th-ranked offense, the Canucks could vault from a fringe playoff team into a serious contender. And they certainly did improve, picking up two UFAs-to-be without losing anyone from their current roster.
Smolinski, 35, and Sopel, 30, are legitimate offensive contributors. While neither is the type who can kickstart an offense by themselves, they certainly raise Vancouver's level of attacking play by a notch or two.
Sopel was an Islander at just about this time last season, about to be dealt to the Kings in a trade deadline firesale. For some reason, Sopel never quite got it right on Long Island -- and even in Los Angeles, Sopel couldn't find his goal scoring touch. But his numbers (4-19-23 in 44 games) are still impressive and look even better to the Canucks, with whom Sopel enjoyed his best seasons from 1998-2004. He'll be a good addition to the Canucks' 18th-regular power play, which already has three pretty good point men (Kevin Bieska, Sami Salo and Matthias Ohlund).
Smolinski is a creative playmaker with plenty of experience. He has good numbers this season (14-23-37 in 62 games), but it remains to be seen what impact he can have on a team that really needed goal-scorers, not another playmaker. When you're as bad offensively as the Canucks, I guess you'll take what you can get.
6:40 p.m. -- Islanders acquire Zednik; thoughts on Jason Blake
The Islanders have acquired winger Richard Zednik from the Washington Capitals for a 2007 second-round draft pick.
This move makes sense for two reasons. 1) The Islanders need scoring help, as they are currently tied for 8th place with Montreal in the Eastern Conference standings. 2) The Islanders will need even more scoring help if they decide to trade talented winger Jason Blake. As Newsday's Greg Logan reported yesterday, the Islanders have fielded offers from five Western Conference teams interested in acquiring his services for potential Stanley Cup runs.
A word about Zednik before we get to the larger issue here, which is whether the Islanders will or should trade Blake, their best all-around player.
What Zednik provides is insurance. As a goal-scorer, he's not in the class of Miro Satan, or talent-wise, in the class of Viktor Kozlov. In surrendering a second-round draft pick, the Islanders overpaid for a man who has six goals in 32 games this year and has scored more than 20 goals in a season only three times in 12 seasons.
Disagree with me if you like, but the reality is Washington only gave up a third-round pick for Zednik to acquire him in a trade this past offseason -- and that was before he suffered a groin injury that required surgery early this year.
But Zednik does have some scoring ability, and if he gets hot and clicks with his linemates, he could certainly provide some ancillary scoring. Whether the Islanders trade Blake or not, it's a move that makes good business sense. If GM Garth Snow is planning to move Blake, they'll need a veteran like Zednik to help them in their playoff push. And if Blake does stay put, Zednik provides a boost to the second line, only counts for $1.976 million against the cap, and will be an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after the season.
Now, onto the Blake issue. I know I'm going to take a lot of heat for saying this, because Jason Blake has been a heart-and-soul player for the Islanders and because he's a top three forward on a team on the cusp of a playoff berth. But in terms of the "strictly business" world of hockey, the Islanders absolutely must make this trade.
If there are teams willing to overpay for Blake the way the Atlanta Thrashers overpaid for Keith Tkachuk, dealing him is just smart business. Buy low, sell high. With Nashville, Vancouver, Detroit, San Jose and Dallas all bidding for his services, it's a virtual lock that dealing Blake (a far better all around-player than Zednik) could yiled at least a first round pick and possibly a mid-level prospect as well. Or one top near-NHL prospect. Or one good, slightly younger NHL player in return. And don't forget that Blake is a UFA after this season. Which means the Islanders could (and quite possibly will) lose him for nothing in 4 1/2 months.
I understand gripes that dealing Blake would cripple the Islanders' playoff hunt -- it probably would. I wouldn't blame the Islanders and their fans for being upset that their general manager would trade one of their most popular players with the team playing well and tied for the last playoff spot in the East. But consider this:
If (that's if) the Islanders do make the playoffs, their likely first round opponent will be either the Buffalo Sabres or the New Jersey Devils. Raise your hand if you see the Islanders winning either of those series. (Um, Ted Nolan, put your hand down...)
Buffalo is far too talented and too fast to beaten by an Islanders team which, frankly, isn't remotely in the same league as the Sabres.
And New Jersey simply owns the Islanders right now, having shut them out three times this season. Do you really want to make the playoffs, only to be ousted in humiliating fashion by a local rival? (As a Rangers fan, trust me, you don't.)
Dealing Blake for prospects, youth, or draft picks is just smart business. The Islanders have the makings of a good team, with Rick DiPietro playing well of late, good coaching, and some nice-looking prospects. But they're still a core player or two away from being an impact team. Jason Blake has been around long enough for us to know that he's not enough of an impact player to carry the Islanders through a round or two of the playoffs. By trading him, maybe the Isles could acquire the type of player who would be.
What's up with the Rangers?
That seems to be the question on everyone's mind as the Blueshirts sit six points back of a playoff spot with 20 games to go. First, let's put that six-point deficit in perspective:
The Rangers have played 62 games, the same number as the 8th-place Islanders (who own a tiebreaker over Montreal). So no games in hand. In addition to the Islanders, the Rangers would have to pass three other teams -- Montreal: 74 points in 64 games; Toronto 69 in 62; and Boston 64 in 61 -- in order to secure the 8th position in the conference. That means they'll have to be at least 6 or 7 points better than all of those teams the rest of the way. On the positive side, Carolina, on whom the Rangers have two games in hand, is just one point better than the Islanders in 7th place.
For simplicity's sake, let's assume all of those teams maintain their current pace for the rest of the season. The East standings would look like this
7. Islanders 93
8. Carolina 91
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9. Toronto 91
10. Montreal 90
11. Boston 86
So, assuming the teams above them play roughly as well (or poorly) as they have all season, the Rangers would need to accumulate 92 points to ensure themselves a playoff berth. They currently have 64 points, which means they would have to accumlate 28 points in their final 20 games. That's the equivalent of going 13-5-2 in their final 20 games -- or 14-6, or 12-4-4.
Is that possible? Yes.
Likely? Well. . .
Even if we assume that Brendan Shanahan returns from his concussion sometime next week -- as he is optimistcally projected to do -- what indication has this Rangers team given you that they are able to put together that type of consistent, winning play?
This year has been one flash of brilliance followed by another, equally devastating stumble. Bill Parcells once wisely stated: "You are what your record says you are," and that couldn't be more true for the Rangers, who at 29-27-6 are the embodiment of a .500 team.
Which brings me to the following conclusion: SELL!
I know this a bitter pill for the fans and players to swallow (and for especially Garden management, since playoff ticket commitments are due on Thursday), but the only way to ever keep the Rangers on the "right path" -- the one they've been talking about for three years now -- is for them to divest themselves of players who can fetch them valuable picks and prospects in return.
Throwing caution to the wind and making foolish deadline deals is exactly what got the Rangers into the spot they're in now.
That said, I do expect the Rangers to actually be cautious. Glen Sather has gone on the record many times as saying that he won't deal top prospects such as Marc Staal and Brandon Dubinsky in any packages for short-term-fix veterans -- which is encouragining.
Instead, they'll probably keep their ears open in the event that a veteran dangled by a non-contender falls too far off the radar. Then, they can swoop in and collect him at a relatively cheap price.
It's hard to argue with that kind of reasoning. But it's what the Rangers likely won't do that will end up being their biggest mistake.
Why not float names such as Michael Nylander, Karel Rachunek, Michal Rozsival and see what the cat drags in? Nylander, a potential second-line center for just about any contending team, might fetch a pretty hefty bounty. And players like Rozsival and restricted free agent-to-be Rachunek are the type of puck-moving defensemen over which most teams would salivate at this time of year.
The reality, though, is that none of those things is likely to happen. Sure, Aaron Ward could be moved -- and if so, the Rangers should be happy to get his contract off the books -- but other than him, there just aren't many veterans I think Sather is willing to part with. Nylander, Rozsival, and even the shaky Rachunek are all far too valuable in the Rangers' misguided "playoff push."
And as I mentioned above in my Islanders commentary, what are they really pushing for anyway? A chance to be blown out by Buffalo or the Devils in the first round? Is that worth missing out on the opportunity to put yourself in a better position for the future?
Of course, I don't write the checks, so I guess it's not my decision to make. Maybe that's for the best.
Comments (4)
I would hope that most Isles fans recognize that Blake is going to walk in July. As such, I'd hope that people who can remove emotional attachment from the equation know that it's right to make a trade. That said, I don't know that a late first rounder is what I'd call "overpaying" for Blake, especially if there are five teams who are eyeing a championship involved.
Also, it's entirely within the realm of possibility that the Isles could make it to 6th and play either Tampa or Atlanta. Still, even if they duck the nightmare matchup in round 1, the Isles would need to beat teams that far outstrip them on talent if they want to get anywhere.
So, yeah, the assessment in this post is dead on. The opportunity cost of keeping Blake for a couple dozen more games is sky high. He should be traded.
Bertuzzi traded to the Ducks
ex Islander Raffi Torres to the Sens.
Norstrom to Dallas.
One quick note on the Sabres' dealings- one of the reasons the Sabres needed to free up cap room was because of the expected return of Tim Connolly before the end of the regular season (according to GM Darcy Regier). You have Connolly out for the rest of the season. That may not be the case...