My Extremely Premature Jay Bouwmeester Potential Trade Discussion

As per the title of this article, this is my speculation on the potential trading of Jay Bouwmeester.  I will admit that most of what I'm about to say is frightening premature, and probably will not happen.  However, I'm allowed to speculate, and that's exactly what this is. 

After his one year arbitration deal, and his desire for Phaneuf-like cash, I, like many others, don't envision Florida keeping Bouwmeester.  He's still somewhat unproven however; on one hand he's played on a horrible team for the last few years, and it's hard as a young player to be the cornerstone of a terrible franchise.  On the other hand, the top young players in the league have shown the potential to lead their team (Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Toews, etc.).  No one argues that he has talent, and considering he was the number 1 overall draft choice a few years back, his value will remain high unless he shows otherwise, and I don't think his stock has completely fallen just yet.  I do believe that the acquisition of Keith Ballard could be the start of trying to replace him, but again, we'll see.  I'm of the belief that at worst most teams feel he's a cornerstone defenseman, in need of better players to play with.  My feeling is that he'll be traded by the next upcoming trade deadline.  Here are potential deals (not keeping the salary cap in mind because off the uncertainty of a deal) for each team that to me at least, would make some sense.  Again, pure speculation on my part.  Find your favorite team and let me know what you think.

Anaheim Ducks

    Bouwmeester for Mathieu Schneider, Ryan Carter, Todd Marchant and a high draft choice.  Considering the imminent retirement of Scott Niedermayer, I could see the Ducks making a real steal here to pick him up.  Schneider would need to go in terms of salary and room, Todd Marchant has been on the block as well, and he would bring a great amount of speed, grittiness and leadership to a team that just traded its captain. Ryan Carter is also a solid prospect. 

Atlanta Thrashers

    Bouwmeester for Bryan Little, Garnet Exelby and a mid round draft choice.  I do believe that Atlanta might be one of the most poorly run franchises.  They still have no 1st line center for Kovalchuk, and that's purely pathetic.  Here, I'm trying to give Atlanta at least a little hope.  Bryan Little is small (no pun intended), but is quite a prospect.  He's lit it up wherever he's gone.  He might be quite a nice complement to either Weiss or Horton.  Garnet Exelby makes Florida somewhat more dangerous to play against, considering their toughest defenseman at this point is Nick Boynton.  Exelby brings a level of viciousness that hasn't been seen in Florida since Paul Laus.  Bouwmeester, Enstrom and Voracek is a very solid group of three in Atlanta, and could truly help to turn the franchise around.

Boston Bruins

    Bouwmeester for Phil Kessel, Peter Schaefer, Mark Stuart and a mid round pick.  Boston has a nice group of young players.  Kessel (who's been in rumors for quite a while) and Mark Stuart (who has a lot of potential) are the keys to this deal.  Kessel has shown an inability to be consistent, and has shown the ability to be an goal scorer that is literally dazzling.  With centers Savard and Bergeron on the roster, Kessel could legitimately be traded.  He's a project at this point, but if shown the defensive side of the game, he could become a monster.  Stuart is solid, and Schaefer has been a disappointment his entire career.  Maybe Martin takes a risk on him, but Kessel and Stuart would be two intelligent pick ups.  Bouwmeester, Chara and Wideman are a very good group of three.  Add Aaron Ward and Andrew Alberts, and the Boston blueline is huge, and very solid.

Buffalo Sabres

    Bouwmeester for Max Afinogenov, Andrej Sekera, Clarke MacArthur and a mid round pick.  Buffalo never makes deals like this, but again, this is a column all about potential.  Max has been in trade rumors for the last few years, Sekera was a very good offensive defenseman in the OHL, and Clarke MacArthur has been in and out of the Buffalo lineup for a little while.  MacArthur has a ton of potential, same with Sekera.  Afinogenov is a known commodity, but again, the Panthers get a natural goal scorer, a potential goal scorer, and a potential offensive defenseman.  The Panthers need the scoring.  Bouwmeester helps a decent Buffalo blueline (with Tallinder, Spacek, Lydman, Rivet and Nathan Paetsch) become a very solid Buffalo blueline.

Calgary Flames

    Bouwmeester for Adrian Aucoin, Matt Lombardi, David Moss, and a high draft choice.  This deal would almost certainly never occur... buy my God if it did, Calgary instantly becomes the favorite for the Stanley Cup.  The Flames can trade Lombardi due to their depth at center (Conroy, Cammalleri, Langkow), Adrian Aucoin would have to go due to money and a roster spot, and David Moss would be a solid prospect for the Panthers.  Bouwmeester is familiar with Mike Keenan, so that's a plus.  I'm sorry, but Bouwmeester, Phaneuf and Regehr might be unstoppable.

Carolina Hurricanes

    Bouwmeester for Frank Kaberle, Justin Williams and a mid round draft choice.  Kaberle's been rumored to be on his way out, and with Bouwmeester and Pitkanen, the Hurricanes have the puck moving defenseman they want.  Carolina might feel that the previous acquisitions of Ruutu and Samsonov might make up for a potential loss of Williams, but having that solid defensive corps might just too good to be true.  Kaberle adds a decent number 3 man to Florida's blueline, but again, Justin Williams might ignite either Weiss or Horton, which has to happen for Florida to finally have any success.  His speed and experience would be a solid pick up for Martin.

Chicago Blackhawks

    Bouwmeester for Cam Barker and Patrick Sharp.  This again is an impossibility, especially with the recent signing of Brian Campbell.  However, Campbell, Seabrook and Bouwmeester is phenomenal and young.  Losing Cam Barker hurts, but Duncan Keith and James Wisneiwski can make up for it.  Patrick Sharp is a solid second line winger, and would complement David Booth perfectly.  Would be interesting, and would propel the Hawks from darkhorse up and comer to Western Conference powerhouse.

Colorado Avalanche

    Bouwmeester for Milan Hejduk, Jordan Leopold, and a mid round draft choice.  This might be the trade Colorado needs to springboard themselves back to elite status.  Hejduk has been decent the last few years, but Leopold has yet to catch on with the Avalanche.  Bouwmeester, Liles, Foote and Hannan should definitely help whichever average goalie the Avs put in net.  Hejduk instantly turns the Florida forward lines into dangerous, and if Leopold can find half the game he had in Calgary, Florida might really make out well in this deal.

Columbus Blue Jackets

    Bouwmeester for Fredrik Modin and Rostislav Klesla.  Columbus has continued to revamp their defense corps, and this would be a solid finishing touch.  Klesla, like Bouwmeester, was a high pick that in my opinion, has never lived up to what he could be.  Sounds just like Bouwmeester.  He's similar, maybe not as offensively talented however.  This deal though could be a winner if Fredrik Modin can stay healthy, and play like he did the last time he was on a Florida team.  If Modin's hurt, turn that into a mid range draft pick or prospect and the deal still might go through.

Dallas Stars

    Bouwmeester for Nicklas Grossman, Joel Lundqvist, and a high draft pick.  Dallas has a team built at the moment for success in the next few years.  That's why they don't mind dealing two very decent young players for Bouwmeester.  Lundqvist has shown flashes of very solid offensive potential, and Grossman has looked like a very good blueliner, but with the presence of other young talent like Matt Niskanen and Mark Fistric, he can be dealt.  A win-win deal, with Dallas now boasting a solid and youthful defense corps to go along with their solid 3 centers.

Detroit Red Wings

    Bouwmeester for Darren Helm, Brett Lebda and a high round draft pick.  This, again, would be impossible.  However, I didn't think they'd have the almonds to pick up Marian Hossa.  This changes their defense from top notch to legendary.  Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and Bouwmeester.  Can't be beat.  They are giving up two very solid young players, both of which have solid offensive potential.  That pick would have to be a first rounder to get this done in my opinion.  However, there is a lot of upside with those two players for Florida.

Edmonton Oilers

    Bouwmeester for Rob Schremp, Dennis Grebeshkov, and Alex Plante.  I can't imagine this trade occurring considering Lowe got his man in Visnovsky.  However, he, Bouwmeester, Souray and Gilbert are a very good group of players to get the puck to players like Gagner and Cogliano.  Schremp has had a hard time getting into the lineup or any kind of second look from the staff their in Edmonton, and ironically like what the Oil's going to do for Brule, Florida will do for Schremp.  Everyone deserves a second chance.  Grebeshkov was ok in Edmonton, but will again be given another shot in Florida to see if he's decent or not.  The real pick up will be Plante, and given all the cash that Lowe's invested already into his defenseman, I'm not sure if Plante would ever really be given the shot that he deserves. 

Los Angeles Kings

    Bouwmeester for Tom Preissing and Patrick O'Sullivan.  Martin knows the surplus of talent on the Kings, and will push for one of their up and comers.  I'm guessing it would be O'Sullivan, simply due to the hearing of rumblings in regards to their contract negotiations.  Preissing was ok for LA, but again, they are looking to rebuild.  With the talent that'll be potentially on their blueline (Jack Johnson, Thomas Hickey, Doughty, etc) Bouwmeester gives that group a definitive leader.  It can only make that rebuilding process move along faster.  In regards to O'Sullivan, who knows his ceiling.  He could be one of the new faces in Florida, truly hitting his potential and becoming a superstar.

Minnesota Wild

    Bouwmeester for Kim Johnsson, Stephane Veilleux, and a high draft pick.  I like Kim Johnsson, but he's got to go if this deal goes down.  He's a very solid player, and will help the Florida blueline for at least the next few years.  The key is of course, Veilleux, who I think has a good amount of potential.  Again, Florida needs help all throughout their roster; this deal isn't the sexiest, but it'd definitely be helpful.  I can't imagine how happy Jacques Lemaire would be to have a solid defenseman like this on his team.  Add this to Marek Zidlicky and you have a solid pair of puck moving defensemen.

Montreal Canadiens

    Bouwmeester for Saku Koivu, Josh Gorges and a mid round draft pick.  Sorry Saku, but it's definitely time to go.  He would go to a franchise desperate for leadership, and there it is.  He's in no way the player he once was, but here he'd just have to help push some of the youth around him.  In regards to Montreal, considering they lost both Souray and Mark Streit in back to back years, maybe it's time for them to really consider picking up a defenseman that can move the puck.  Hamrlik's aging and after Markov... who could really help?  Mathieu Dandenault?  Iffy on that.  Bouwmeester could potentially flourish in Montreal, and help them move forward on their Stanley Cup aspirations. 

Nashville Predators

    Bouwmeester for Jordin Tootoo, Greg Zanon and a mid round draft choice.  I hate to break up that good looking defense corps in Nashville; but considering they threw their entire cupboard at Philly to get Forsberg, anything's possible.  Zanon's a good looking defenseman, but with Ryan Suter, Shea Weber and Dan Hamhuis there already, he'd be taking a backseat.  Koistinen just resigned as well.  Zanon's out where he becomes one of the top prospects now on Florida's blueline, along with Tootoo, who might single -handedly energize all of Florida to care again for their team.  In Nashville, like said many times before, with the core that's already there, Bouwmeester accelerates their growth and helps them become an elite team.

New Jersey Devils

    Bouwmeester for Patrik Elias, Vitaly Vishnevski and Andy Greene.  Boy if any team needs this trade, it'd be the Devils.  They were a shadow of what they once were, even though they didn't have the worst season.  Their defense was suspect throughout the entire year.  Two of those players, Green and Vishnevski, never seemed to really fit in 100%.  They do have some depth, so they can afford to deal two decent defenders here.  Elias though is the key.  He fell out of favor last year when they took the captaincy away from him.  In Florida he can go back to being a winger, where he's played his best, and can get away from Brent Sutter.  Very interesting deal.

New York Islanders

    Bouwmeester for Chris Campoli, Mike Sillinger and two high round draft choices.  Honestly, the Islanders don't have enough talent to get this trade done.  They have Kyle Okposo and DiPietro.  Aside from that, they have a bunch of average prospects and washed up vets.  Bouwmeester would have people thinking that they might not end up in the basement this year, but again, even that wouldn't be a certainty.  The Islanders have a terrible team for the upcoming year, unless you consider Doug Weight your savior.  If this did happen, Bouwmeester, Witt and Sutton are a decent defense corps, with a player like Bruno Gervais really being given a chance to pitch in.  Florida would need a ton of quality picks to get this deal done, and Snow has shown he doesn't mind throwing them away (like in the Ryan Smyth deal).

New York Rangers

    Bouwmeester for Petr Prucha, Lauri Korpikoski, Paul Mara and a low round pick.  This deal probably won't occur due to the fact that the Rangers have Redden and Roszival signed for crazy money forever, and Girardi and Staal are near untouchable.  The don't need another puck moving defenseman.  However, Mara would go here because no one else can.  The big deal though is for Prucha and Korpikoski.  Prucha is a credible 20 - 30 goal scorer a year that's been lost in the depth of this team, and Korpikoski is a former first rounder who really hasn't been given his fair shot.  Those two instantly boost the depth of Florida's wings with talented scorers, and give the Rangers six very solid puck moving defenseman.  Very improbable.

Ottawa Senators

    Bouwmeester for Andrej Meszaros and Antoine Vermette.  Now this is a much more probable deal, and a blockbuster on both ends.  Bouwmeester along with Chris Phillips and Jason Smith form a very decent grouping, with of course Bouwmeester being the unquestioned number one.  Pair him with Phillips, and Volchenkov with Smith and that's two very good defense pairings.  Vermette's been begging out of Ottawa, and here's his shot.  Vermette would fit perfectly... if converted into a winger of course.  Even so, he'd be a great third option after Weiss and Horton.  Both players have been rumored to be on the move in Ottawa... but Florida might need to throw in a pick to get this done.

Philadelphia Flyers

    Bouwmeester for James vanRiemsdyk and Mike Knuble.  Philly has been rumored to be inquiring about Bouwmeester.  I would say vanRiemsdyk straight up for Bouwmeester... but first of all he's unproven, and second of all Philly needs to cut salary.  Knuble's name has come up in regards to that, so he'd be on his way.  For this again to work, I'm sure Derian Hatcher would have to be off the books.  I can't imagine Jacques Martin being that dumb as to think about even picking him up.  However, with the depth Philly has at forward, and with Giroux knocking at the door, maybe vanRiemsdyk's expendable.  He or Giroux would have to be somehow in the mix for this to happen.

Phoenix Coyotes

    Bouwmeester for Steven Reinprecht, Zbynek Michalek, and mid round draft choice.  They already made a blockbuster of a deal earlier in the summer; maybe twice is a charm.  Here, Florida would be getting a very serviceable and gritty Reinprecht, along with an underrated offensive defenseman in Michalek, who's brother has already made waves in San Jose.  Maybe he needs a new environment to really break out.  However, Bouwmeester would be joining another youth movement in Arizona, however this one is really on the move to somewhere intriguing.  He would lead a defensive corps that I would say is the definite weak point on this team.  Reinprecht will be replaced by a guy I hope you've heard of... Kyle Turris.  A must deal for Phoenix... this move truly escalates their team.

Pittsburgh Penguins

    Bouwmeester for Jordan Staal and Mark Eaton.  This deal would again excite Pittsburgh fans, especially after the exits of Jarkko Ruutu, Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts.  I think this team is elite the way it is, but the addition of another star can only help to make the hurt of losing two fan favorites and a key locker room guy, much easier to take.  Bouwmeester joins guys like Letang, Gonchar and Gill on a top notch blueline.  Mark Eaton was hurt at the end of last year, and Rob Scuderi seemed to take his spot.  Jordan Staal I really, really like... but at the end of the day, he was behind maybe the two best centers in all the game today.  Now, in Florida, he'll get the chance he really never could have in Pittsburgh.

San Jose Sharks

    Bouwmeester for Mark-Eduard Vlasic, Devin Setoguchi and a low round draft pick.  San Jose is clearly going for it now, as opposed to the future.  With the acquisition of Bouwmeester to go along with Dan Boyle and Rob Blake, wow are they making a statement.  Vlasic's going to be good, but if Matt Carle can be traded, so can he.  Setoguchi also has quite an upside, but with guys like Ryane Clowe and up and comers such as Logan Couture, he can be moved.  If San Jose makes this move, it's a solid statement to someone like Detroit. 

St. Louis Blues

    Bouwmeester for Jay McClement, Jeff Woywitka and a high round draft choice.  Like many other moves, this would be Bouwmeester going to a team that's in the middle of a rebuilding phase, and probably woundn't want to part with too much.  Woywitka's a decent defender, good prospect.  Same with McClement, being a decent prospect.  The Blues have a solid group of young talent, so dealing some of it wouldn't be a horrible thing.  Again, a move like this changes a team from "rebuilding" to "contending."  I could see JD making a smart move such as this. Bouwmeester and captain Eric Brewer would be a solid young defensive tandem for quite awhile to come.

Tampa Bay Lighting

    Bouwmeester for Jussi Jokinen, Shane O'Brien, Michel Ouellet and a mid round draft choice.  Put nothing out of the realm for the new Tampa owners.  Honestly, I think many of the moves they made this offseason were foolish and will come back to haunt them.  No team needs both Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi.  Adam Hall for 3 years?  Serously folks.  However, the one place they haven't really looked at is defense.  Yes, they picked up Matt Carle.  However they lost their statesman, Dan Boyle.  Aside from Filip Kuba, there truly isn't anyone "seasoned" back there.  Trading away Jussi Jokinen, who didn't fit in, and Shane O'Brien, a 3rd or 4th defender, wouldn't really cripple the team.  Ouellet is a player in my mind who hasn't hit his stride yet, and I truly like.  Hard to find guys who'll sit in front of the net fearlessly.  This is the deal that truly might help Tampa over the hump, instead of the signings of guys who either have been overrated (Hall), or seen the best of their careers pass them years ago (Roberts/Recchi).

Toronto Maple Leafs

    Bouwmeester for Pavel Kubina, Mark Bell, Jiri Tlusty and a low round draft choice.  Man, the Maple Leafs need a new face for their franchise.  Desperately.  Even if Mats Sundin comes back, he'll be there for maybe a year... tops.  The fans need a new guy to either love unconditionally, or continue to hate.  I could see Bouwmeester either maturing to Toronto's delight, or wilting, and being the next Larry Murphy.  This deal doesn't work if Kubina either has a no trade, or is willing to waive it (neither I remember at this hour).  He played his best hockey in Florida, if you recall.  Bell could be a decent player in maybe a city he was less scutinized in, and Tlusty has lots of potential (and semi-naked pictures).  Another move to bolster Florida up front and to give them the solid vet on the backline, while again, this move could serious reenergize a tired Leaf fan base.  With Bouwmeester on the blueline also, it takes tons of pressure of McCabe and Kaberle, and might help with them finding their game again.  Especially McCabe.

Vancouver Canucks

    Bouwmeester for Kevin Bieksa, Taylor Pyatt, and a high draft choice.  Unlikely, but would really give Vancouver a new look.  Bouwmeester with Ohlund isn't too shabby of a pairing whatsoever.  Loosing Bieksa hurts, and I truly see Pyatt, with his style of play, perfect for the Eastern Conference.  They'd have to give up a first round or second round choice for this to even be thought of.  I don't believe they have too much to offer, but again, Bouwmeester only can help this anemic offense by providing a great first pass.  Bieksa joins in with guys like Ballard and Welch and definitely provides a good core of youth.  Would be a good move for the franchise, however I think they need to look at other areas before defense, like anyone that can score that's not named Sedin.

Washington Capitals

    Bouwmeester for Michael Nylander, Jeff Schultz, Dave Steckel and a mid round draft pick.  Imagine that group of youth on the blueline; Bouwmeester, Pothier and Green.  Not a bad start, and even better if you consider some of the youth they have as well, including Karl Azner.  Nylander's tradeable due to the resigning of Sergei Fedorov, Jeff Schultz is a huge defenseman with offensive potential, and Dave Steckel again has size and could be a serviceable power forward.  Nylander may be iffy in regards to Florida accepting this deal, but if he was able to find chemistry with either Horton or Weiss... watch out.  I know Nylander was tried at wing last season, and couldn't get it done with Semin or Ovechin.  Watch out if he can with any of Florida's youth.  Schultz would probably be the big name in this deal, he has a good amount of potential.  Washington's moving up with Boudreau at the helm, so this is a deal that could definitely bring them further up in the Eastern Conference.