NHL Needs to Move Non-Waiver Trade Deadline Back to March

As most NHL fans are aware, the non-waiver trade deadline is February 27, 2012.

Personally, I feel that NHL executives made a mistake by moving the trade deadline from March into February. Although teams now have a longer period of time to integrate new players, the lack of sellers in February leads to fewer trades at or near the deadline, more buyers coming up empty and more fan frustration.

The 2011-2012 season demonstrates this case and point. Currently, only three Western Conference teams would constitute sellers—the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks.

In all likelihood, the Blue Jackets are willing to deal fourth-line center, faceoff specialist and former Stanley Cup Champion (Anaheim Ducks, 2007) Samuel Pahlsson, a $2.65 million average annual value (AAV) cap hit, and forward Vaclav Prospal ($1.75 million AAV).

As for the Oilers, forward Ales Hemsky ($4.1 million AAV) is on the trading block, according to multiple reports, and forward Sam Gagner ($2.275 million) may be available.

The Ducks are a more complicated animal altogether. They have a myriad of impending free agents (Teemu Selanne, Jason Blake, Saku Koivu, Niklas Hagman, Sheldon Brookbank and Dan Ellis). Of this list, I believe that Blake, Brookbank, and Ellis are the most available.

Blake is a 37-year-old forward with a $3 million AAV. His speed and experience should help a playoff-bound team, and the Ducks realize that they need to develop their younger players in the future.

Brookbank is a depth defenseman, and the supply of depth defensemen is typically deep every offseason.

Goaltender Jonas Hiller has another year left at a $4.5 million AAV. Backup goaltenders, like depth defensemen, are typically easy to find. The Ducks would probably accept a prospect or a high-round draft pick for either Brookbank or Ellis.

The complicated aspect of the Ducks' situation deals with 41-year-old forward Teemu Selanne and their entire top line of Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Teams with playoff aspirations seem to have their sights set on acquiring one of these four players, but is General Manager Bob Murray truly willing to deal any of his premier talent?

For the sake of argument, let's assume none of them are dealt.

As a result, the Western Conference alone is dealing with a thin market of seven tradeable assets.

The current standings and climate in the Eastern Conference underscores the need to extend the deadline as well.

For example, let's take the New York Islanders. Their recent surge (five wins in the last six games) has moved them to within eight points of a playoff spot. If the Isles are eight points out in late February, does General Manager Garth Snow fancy himself a buyer?

By waiting until mid-March, playoff teams typically create separation between themselves and most of the teams that will not compete in Lord Stanley's annual 16-team tournament.

Anticipation rises as a result of the fact that, by virtue of a later deadline, more sellers are created. More sellers means more available players.

Therefore, if playoff team A loses Asset 1 to playoff team B, then playoff team A will probably have an opportunity to acquire a need since, theoretically, a larger supply would exist. Demand may also increase as more playoff teams may have similar needs and, as a result, target the same types of players. 

Last year, on deadline day, the TSN TradeCentre crew sat around cracking jokes half the day. There was no frenzy; there was little substance to the day.

Fans want a spectacle. Fans want drama at the deadline.

The early deadline leads too many noncontenders to fool themselves into thinking they can make the playoffs. Hence, too many players miss a chance to win Lord Stanley's chalice. Ultimately, that is the shame and the most compelling reason to extend the deadline in future years.