NHL Trade Deadline : Sharks Hunting For Blueline Help
The NHL trade deadline is nearly upon the San Jose Sharks and with it comes all the inevitable trade rumors and predictions. From mild to wild and even ridiculous you will hear many names and teams bandied about in the upcoming week.
The Sharks have fallen back to earth after earning points for 10 consecutive games, dropping their last two contests. With just 10 points separating seven teams in the West, the Sharks still have plenty of work to do securing their playoff position.
While may fans may project the Sharks standing pat at the deadline, one must question the logic that strategy has gotten us so far. Doug Wilson missed several key free agents in the offseason, many that were cheap for the return they gave their teams.
On the other hand, one would be foolish to change the roster for the sake of changing and the Sharks have played some good hockey lately.
While some of these names and deals are well known, some may not be given their teams standings. I have omitted some of the targets from the previous article, as doing so would needlessly dilute the topic.
Here then is a breakdown of possible trade proposals to improve the Sharks and their chances at hoisting Lord Stanley's chalice.
New York Islanders : Radek Martinek
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Current Standing : 20-29-7, 47 points, 14th place overall in the Eastern Conference
Why is this team a seller? :
New York Islanders GM Garth Snow has done a decent job in procuring as much talent as possible for the rebuilding team. While he's done well with a bevy of young talent that is starting to shine, he is still bound to the team's financial issues.
This team is young and promising but isn't exactly at the top of any pending free agent wish list. Their season isn't looking like it will head anywhere and they would be wise to unload players for picks.
Who should the Sharks look at? :
Radek Martinek is a relatively young defence-man with a decent offensive upside. He can pinch in from the point well and possesses an excellent first pass, which is what the Sharks need. Martinek can also play a very sound positional defensive game, much like our own Marc-Eduoard Vlasic.
He's a UFA at the end of the year and could be moved if Snow likes the development of former Shark Ty Wishart.
Why the Sharks don't want him :
Martinek has a long history of injuries and has struggled to stay healthy for any long stretch. If he can stay off the injury list for the stretch run however, that would be all the Sharks really need him for.
Crunching the numbers :
Martinek has one goal, seven assists and carries a -5 rating on a pretty bad team. He carries a current cap hit of $443,548 which isn't ideal for a player of his caliber but won't break the bank either.
Martinek is second only to Zenon Konopka in defensive zone starts and wins and leads the team with 62 shots at a paltry 1.6 shooting percentage. Martinek is averaging just a shade under 17 minutes a game but does not figure into the power play plans of the Sharks
Trade Proposal :
A second round draft pick for Martinek which allows the Islanders to shed salary and the Sharks to pick up a valuable contributor to the blue line.
St Louis Blues : Eric Brewer
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Current Standing : 24-21-9, 57 points, 13th place overall in the Western Conference
Why is this team a seller? :
The feel good story of the season has all but worn off for playoff hero Jaroslav Halak who had a magical postseason for the Canadiens last year. Injuries and lack of consistency has depleted this team's chances of making the postseason as they sit eight points out of the last playoff seed.
Combined with their -17 goal differential, and with the Kings ( +24 ) and Blackhawks ( +19 ) ahead of them currently the Blues look like they won't make it.
Who should the Sharks look at? :
Eric Brewer has a big frame can skate well and has a booming shot from the point. Brewer is also a physical player, leads by example and can log big time minutes against top flight opposition.
Carlo Colaiacovo is a relatively young guy who is very strong in his own zone and can play his man strong and straight up. He's another oft injured defence-man and isn't someone that would play huge minutes despite a contract through 2012 that pays him 2.125 million.
Why it might not work :
The Blues and Sharks would be dealing within the compacted Western Conference, and other targets may make more sense. Brewer is also a UFA at the end of the season and may command a raise coming off of his final year at 4.25 million.
Colaiacovo isn't much of a solution to anything other than more depth defense to a team loaded with too many depth guys.
Crunching the numbers :
Brewer has eight goals, six assists for +4 rating for St. Louis and carries a current cap hit of 1,256,700 which is a big hit at this stage of the season.
Trade Proposal :
Setoguchi and a conditional pick in next year's entry draft for Brewer may be enough to do it. The Sharks would be looking at an additional 700-800k to clear considering the difference in cap numbers.
Boston Bruins : Mark Stuart
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Current Standing : 31-18-7, 69 points, third place overall in the Eastern Conference
Why is this team a seller? :
The Bruins have enjoyed a renassaince of sorts for Tim Thomas and were riding high until they lost C Marc Savard to another concussion. He's been ruled out for the remainder of the season, and will need to replace some of that offense up front to sustain any Stanley Cup aspirations.
Who should the Sharks look at? :
Mark Stuart is a young stay at home defenceman that can skate very well and hit with the best of them. He plays best in a stay-at-home type of role and could allow Demers to pinch in and contribute offensively. Demers would be allowed to do so without the specter of turnover prone Niclas Wallin looming over his head.
Why the Sharks don't want him :
He's not a puck mover and would not help alleviate the breakout issues that needs addressing.
Crunching the numbers :
With one goal and three assists Stuart is a +7 depth guy that can provide a big boost to the Sharks bottom pairings. He carries a $495,296 cap hit at the moment, and would be affordable upgrade to the second or third pairing.
Trade Proposal :
Kent Huskins and Torrey Mitchell for Stuart would allow the Sharks to improve their second pairing with Vlasic or third pairing with Demers. Clearing Mitchell will clear more cap space for another move as he's likely to be without a spot once the Sharks get healthy.
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New York Rangers : Matt Gilroy
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Current Standing : 30-24-4, 64 points, Seventh place overall in the Eastern Conference
Why is this team a seller? :
The Rangers are looking to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference standings and is playing well with a young core. The team has struggled on the power play and needs a quarterback to help boost the power play that's struggled this year.
Who should the Sharks look at? :
Matt Gilroy is a third pairing guy who has struggled to support young dynamo Michael Del Zotto. Gilroy is an excellent skater as well and is always dangerous in the offensive zone. Has a great first pass, good puck control skills and can move the puck very well.
Gilroy is a bit of an unproven dynamic in that he doesn't play a lot of minutes, but he's an agile defender who is great with the puck.
Why it might not work :
The Rangers need a PP quarterback to handle the reins until Del Zotto can grow into that role. The Sharks don't exactly have one to spare, and the Rangers may ask for more than what Gilroy is worth.
Gilroy is young, and hasn't proven that he can take on the heavy lifting the Sharks may ask of him.
Crunching the numbers :
With three goals, six assists and a +5 rating, Gilroy carries a current cap hit of $517,473 and is an RFA at the end of the year.
Trade Proposal :
Devin Setoguchi for Matt Gilroy will allow the Rangers to plug Setoguchi into Chris Drury's slot on the powerplay. Drury is absolutely horrible for the Blueshirts and Setoguchi would provide speed, determination and a great skillset at a great price.
Edmonton Oilers : Kurtis Foster
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Current Standing : 16-32-8, 40 points, 15th place overall in the Western Conference
Why is this team a seller? :
The Oil are continuing to look to the future and with the deadline at hand and have several key vets still in a position to contribute elsewhere. While the youth in Edmonton has fans smiling, the current season has had little to cheer for the Oilers.
Who should the Sharks look at? :
Kurtis Foster was originally targeted in a off season article regarding UFA blueliners and was signed by the Oilers for $1.8 million over two years. Foster has a great shot from the point and is decently reliable in his own end with his long reach.
While the Sharks love to employ Pavelski on the second power play pairing, Foster could still spell Boyle and eat up minutes on special teams.
Foster was originally mentioned here in one of my articles in the off season : Five UFA Blueliners the Sharks Should Look At
Crunching the numbers :
Foster has three goals and 10 assists with a -8 rating for the Edmonton Oilers, who have some serious goalie issues to say the least. He carries a current cap hit of $532,358 and is signed next year for an affordable $1.8 million. Foster averaging around 14 minutes a game, currently one half of the third pairing on the league's worst goals against team.
Trade Proposal :
Kent Huskins and a conditional draft pick will also get the job done here, for the bottom pairing defence man.
Toronto Maple Leafs : Tomas Kaberle
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Current Standing : 23-27-6, 52 points, 12th place overall in the Eastern Conference
Why is this team a seller? :
The Maple Leafs have had a disappointing season with a roster lacking in offensive scoring and look to miss the playoffs yet again. While Leaf Nation should be quite pleased with the return for Francois Beauchemin, Brian Burke still has Giguere and Kaberle to sort out.
Who should the Sharks look at? :
Enter Tomas Kaberle long discussed for the better part of two seasons now as trade bait and a potential big piece of the blueline puzzle for the Sharks. While his intensity and unwillingness to shoot may be turnoffs for Sharks fans, he is still an elite puck moving defenceman.
Crunching the numbers :
With three goals, 33 assists and a -3 rating, Kaberle would provide a huge boost to the Sharks offense and breakout. He's a UFA at year's end so the Leafs would either lose him for nothing if not for the overrated value of Kaberle.
$1.25 million is his current hit and the combination of Setoguchi and Wallin would put the Sharks in the ballpark cap wise.
Why the Sharks don't want him :
There's a multitude of reasons the Sharks would not want him, but for the sake of brevity I'll sum it up.
Kaberle is an expensive rental, and would likely not resign to any team in the West.
He's also not worth Ryane Clowe, no matter how much Leaf fans want to believe it.
Burke got a great return for Beauchemin, and if he's aiming high on Kaberle the Sharks should pass.
But make no mistake, he could be the difference maker in a series where the Sharks need more consistent offense.
Trade Proposal :
Devin Setoguchi, Niclas Wallin and a second round draft pick should be sufficient, problem is will Kaberle be part of the solution? or just another Brian Campbell?
Florida Panthers : Bryan McCabe
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Current Standing : 24-24-7, 55 points, 11th place overall in the Eastern Conference
Why is this team a seller? :
Dale Tallon didn't build the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks without knowing what his assets are. McCabe figures to be a hot commodity come the trade deadline and can give any playoff bound team a huge boost along the blueline.
Who should the Sharks look at? :
Bryan McCabe would be the very definition of a playoff rental at 35 years of age, but gives you the intangibles many on this list lack. McCabe can take on heavy minutes and is dangerous on the power play with his bazooka shot from the point. He's aggressive and loves to jump into the play, and would allow Murray to settle back into a more natural role.
McCabe is logging over 20 shifts a game and averages over 18 minutes of ice time. Moreover, McCabe is a gamer and knows how to lead both verbally and with his actions.
He would take the ice against the Devils Jan 15th and play a huge role in the Panthers 3-2 overtime victory. He started the game with a broken pinky and was struck by the puck early on in the first period. McCabe would miss just one shift and would return to play out the rest of the game with a broken jaw.
That's my kind of hockey player.
He's captain of the Panthers and figures to be in demand at the deadline for his physical play, power play shot and tremendous leadership.
Crunching the numbers :
With five goals, 16 assists and a +7 rating. McCabe carries a hefty $1,700,269 cap hit at this stage of the season. Some big time salary clearing would have to commence to make room for the defence man, and he's a UFA at the end of the year.
Why it wouldn't work :
Tallon will want youth and picks in that order, and the Sharks really don't have much room to fit McCabe's salary under the cap. Too hard to project a trade as this would require some painful salary clearing just to make the numbers work.
Pittsburgh Penguins : Alex Goligoski
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Why is this team a seller? :
Well, it's not really. The Penguins are more a buyer than anything but due to some serious injuries up front are struggling of late. With Malkin out for the rest of the year, Crosby with no real timetable for his return from concussion, and Kunitz missing time the Pens are seriously banged up.
Why they could make a move :
Ray Shero has never been a shy GM at the trade deadline, and this team is still very effective defensively. With Malkin on LTIR the salary cap is not going to hinder the Penguins make a move to replace some missing offense.
A player such as Devin Setoguchi would allow the Penguins to improve their forward depth and still stay young. He would also be a huge improvement over Craig Adams and potentially be great with Jordan Staal. Setoguchi fits in nicely with that team as he has got wheels and is a full three zone player with heart.
Who the Sharks could target :
Alex Goligoski makes too much sense not to be named here, as Wilson would finally have his young puck moving defence man he's sought after. While others may pine for Brooks Orpik or Letang, Ray Shero didn't win the Stanley Cup by giving up key contributors like those two.
Goligoski is young, can move the puck and is relatively affordable at the deadline.
Crunching the numbers :
Goligoski has nine goals, 21 assists and is a solid +18 and can move the puck extremely well. He's got plenty of ability to jump up into the play and can play sound positional defense. Hes young and has a tremendous upside, and could be the eventual successor to Dan Boyle.
He's played top power play minutes for the Penguins and is second on the team in points this season behind Kris Letang.
With a cap hit of 542,115 at the moment, Devin Setoguchi's number at 532,258 the only question really becomes what else would the Penguins want? Goligoski is signed through the 2012 season at 1.8 million a very affordable number for his type of play.
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