Do NHL Trade Deadline Moves Portend the Future of the Money-Losers?

The recent NHL trade deadline is of particular interest so far as the ten money-losing franchises are concerned.  Can their future be read in what they did or did not do?  The following is my (not necessarily correct) interpretation of their actions that day.  I have ranked them in my own (not necessarily correct) order of strength.

1.   New Jersey Devils

They made a minor trade because they are operating from strength.  But even switching venues has not brought sell out crowds.  The New Jersey Nets, remaining in the Meadowlands do not sell out either. 

It is time facts were faced and admit that New Jersey, (at least around the New York area) is not a sports friendly place (except for football which has no other competing venue in the New York market).  The Devils and Nets consistently come across as poor cousins.  It is time this franchise was moved to a place where they will be appreciated for the great things they have accomplished during the last decade and a half.

2.   Columbus Blue Jackets

They made a major deal that strengthened themselves by getting Antoine Vermette in exchange for a goaltender they were not using.  They have made a firm commitment to making the playoffs for the first time which they hope will turn the tide and bring fans in at last.  A statement that they want to be a permanent franchise in their city.  Easily the most positive and upbeat of the money-losers.

3.   Tampa Bay Lightning

This is certainly open to being challenged ranking Tampa Bay so highly.  All they did was dump salary.  But Tampa Bay's troubles are mostly at the ownership level and not the fan level.  A sale of the team to somebody who can afford to operate it and the solving of their goaltending problem might turn things around.  Tampa Bay did win the Stanley Cup and I don't think it is forgotten.

4.   Carolina Hurricane

They brought back Erik Cole to strengthen themselves.  Clearly they are intent on making the playoffs which they believe will strengthen their future in Carolina.  But struggling to make money after winning the Stanley Cup...

5.  Nashville Predators

They made no deals.  But the team is playing well of late and has a good chance of making the playoffs again.  A more telling portent instead of the trade deadline would be their playoff performance.  If they can finally win a playoff round, it might turn the tide.  Else dark shadows may fall on them (see Phoenix, below).

6.   St. Louis Blues

They only made one minor deal.  Like the Predators, the Blues are playing well of late and the fans can clearly see that this team is making progress over the past two years.  There is no immediate danger in St. Louis.  They can afford to miss the playoffs again and strengthen themselves for next year with a good draft pick.  But making the playoffs this year would boost things.

7.   Florida Panthers

They made a minor deal with Tampa Bay.  They are banking everything on making the playoffs which is why they kept Jay Bouwmeester whom they hope to sign in the off season.  But Florida may be in trouble by not doing something more positive.  Their pursuers, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Buffalo and the New York Rangers all took more positive action to strengthen themselves.  Only Montreal did nothing.  If they don't make the playoffs, it could be goodbye Bouwmeester and then goodbye franchise.

8.   New York Islanders

I hate to rank the Islanders so low when I remember their glorious history.  They allowed the aging Bill Guerin to leave, and their main trouble is at the venue level.  Like the Devils, they are now treated as poor cousins in the New York market.  Their once abundant following has been eroded.  Their lack of involvement in the trade deadline only underlines their critical situation.  

There is never so much a need for their fans to make themselves heard than now, not so much in attendance but by letting the powers that be know that they support the building of a new arena.  Either a new arena gets built, or it's a race to get to Kansas City between themselves, Atlanta, and Phoenix.  And I don't think that getting the top draft pick this year will be enough to save them.

9.   Atlanta Thrashers

They made three minor deals which won't turn the team around.  They have been out of the playoff race almost since the start of the season.  They made the playoffs once, were eliminated without winning a game, and have gone downhill ever since.  I have read that they do not develop players well either. 

They don't have any specific crisis hanging over their heads like the Islanders, Phoenix, or Florida, but nobody will blink an eye if this franchise disappears.  And the NHL will not be returning a third time so quickly.

10.  Phoenix Coyotes

They held a "fire sale" in which most of their top players departed in return for draft picks and "wait until next year."  But Phoenix is still in contention for the playoffs and some trades in the other direction could turn the tide.  Their sale will not attract fans and portends that Phoenix might not have a future next year in Phoenix. 

They easily have the darkest future.  Contraction, relocation to Kansas City or more sensibly to Hamilton hangs over this team.  The players who got traded out of Phoenix are probably thanking the kind gods.