- Craig Custance of ESPN: Custance looks at the Western Conference in his two part NHL trade primer series. The salary cap and internal budgets are part the reason trades are now difficult to make.
“As the money comes off, as we get closer to the it loosens a little bit,” the GM said. “Now, it’s like a bottleneck. There’s no fluidity in the market here.”
Dallas Stars – their first round pick should be in play. Could use a veteran with size to their blueline.
St. Louis Blues – their first round pick shouldn’t be in play. Have internal budgets. Have decisions to make on pending UFAs David Backes and Troy Brouwer. Have depth on the blueline and could move Carl Gunnarsson. Could be buyers and sellers at the deadline.
Chicago Blackhawks – their 1st round pick should be in play. They could use another top-four defenseman and rumor is they are already looking for one.
Minnesota Wild – their first round pick shouldn’t be in play, unless Steven Stamkos is coming the other way. Could use a veteran, but would have to move salary out if the bring in a big-money player. Travis Hamonic and Ryan Johansen have come up.
Nashville Predators – their first round pick should only be available if they are getting a young center that can help them contend immediately. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen would be intriguing options.
Colorado Avalanche – should only trade their first if a they are getting a young defenseman back, and if the pick is lottery protected. Need blueline help. Calvin Pickard and Reto Berra could be made available.
Winnipeg Jets – shouldn’t trade their first round pick. Big decisions to make with Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien. Were in on Travis Hamonic trade talk.
Los Angeles Kings – their first shouldn’t be in play, but it might be. Would like to add a top four defenseman. LeBrun mentioned last week that Dustin Byfuglien would be a perfect fit, but the Kings may not have enough assets.
San Jose Sharks – don’t have a first round pick. Patrick Marleau trade talk has quieted. Could look at trades that help them now, and down the road.
Vancouver Canucks – their first round pick shouldn’t be in play. Could move Radim Vrbata, Brandon Prust and Dan Hamhuis, and any other expiring contracts.
Arizona Coyotes – have two first round picks and they shouldn’t be available. Looking for a short-term goalie fix while Mike Smith is out. They are not convinced that Jonathan Bernier or Dustin Tokarski are any better than Anders Lindback. Could look to trade Mikkel Boedker if they don’t re-sign him. Could get a nice return for Martin Hanzal if they decide to trade him.
Calgary Flames – shouldn’t trade their first round pick. Could trade pending UFA Jiri Hudler. Could be looking for a goalie.
Edmonton Oilers – first round pick should be in play if they get an impact defenseman and if it’s lottery protected. They could move Jordan Eberle or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for a defenseman. They have been in on Travis Hamonic. Could look to move Nikita Nikitin or even Cam Talbot.
Anaheim Ducks – could move their first, but only if it’s lottery protected. They need offense. GM Bob Murray’s patience could run out at some point. Patrick Marleau would accept a trade to Anaheim and the GMs are close friends.
