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.



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