NHL Trade Rumors: Philadelphia Flyers and 10 Teams That Will Be Buyers
As the trade deadline approaches, the standings are starting to round into shape, and the playoff picture is starting to shake out.
Some teams will be happy with their positions, while other will be on the hunt for players to improve their teams.
The following list consists of the teams that will most likely be buyers as the deadline approaches.
Enjoy!
Nashville Predators
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Possible Target: Cory Stillman
The Western Conference is super tough.
Ten points in the standings separate fourth from 14th, and every team still has a shot at a playoff spot.
If the Predators want to be one of the teams that make the playoffs, the organization has to add some offensive scoring and depth.
With the team they have now, their defense is strong and goaltending is good, but the offense can be very porous.
Atlanta Thrashers
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Possible Target: Eric Brewer
The Atlanta Thrashers are in a tough division with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Washington Capitals but have kept their heads above water so far.
I don’t think the Thrashers will make the playoffs if they don’t go out and get a shutdown defender.
The team’s offense can be dangerous, but the defense needs to be more secure. The team also needs to stand up for each other, as they have been getting pushed around lately.
St. Louis Blues
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Possible Target: Alexei Kovalev
The Blues are a team that has been plagued by injuries all season.
They are still very much in contention, and slowly they will start to get players healthy.
For the time being, the Blues may look to move some of the pieces that they believe are not part of their future.
The Blues will look to acquire prospects or players, depending on which way they move in the standings.
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New York Rangers
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Possible Targets: Antti Miettinen
The Rangers are another team in a tough division where it will be hard to gain any ground.
During the offseason, the Rangers brought in Alex Frolov to help bring more offense to the team, and even before his season was ended early by injuries, he was a bust.
The Rangers will be looking at add depth at forward and maybe a veteran to help lead a younger team.
Colorado Avalanche
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Possible Targets: Ed Jovanovski
The Colorado Avalanche are in the eighth position in the Western Conference and should be looking to add some defensive help.
The Avalanche have solid goaltending, and their offense has been good too. I feel that the defense is the weakest aspect of their team.
If they hope to be in contention at playoff time, they need to go out and find a team willing to part with a top pairing defender—maybe a player like Ed Jovanovski or someone along those lines.
Buffalo Sabres
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Possible Targets: Nikolay Zherdev
The Buffalo Sabres are falling out of contention fast, and injuries are to blame.
Their team has been decimated by injuries, and they need to go out and get someone if they want to stay in contention.
They need help at forward, so a rental-type player that has no contract past this season would be a good addition for the Sabres.
Columbus Blue Jackets
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Possible Targets: Tomas Kaberle
Rumor has it that the Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to add players before the deadline.
They are another team out of the Western Conference that is not out of contention and may be looking to add some pieces to make a run at the playoffs.
They have solid goaltending and a leader on offense, so I presume they will be trying to add depth on defense and maybe a forward as well.
Philadelphia Flyers
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Possible Target: Jarome Iginla
Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren doesn’t know how to take his foot off the throttle.
Even with his team in the heart of the hunt for the Presidents' Trophy for the team with the best record, Homer is going hard at the market.
The Flyers are reportedly looking for a veteran winger to help add more depth at forward. The move would most likely send a player like Zherdev or James van Riemsdyk elsewhere.
San Jose Sharks
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Possible Target: Joni Pitkanen
If you had told me at the beginning of the season that halfway through the season the San Jose Sharks would be on the outside of the playoff hunt looking in, I would have told you that you were crazy.
The Sharks offense is one of the best in the league but has really struggled at even strength this year.
The goaltending situation hasn’t been good, but the real problem lies in the lack of depth on defense for the Sharks.
If the Sharks can go out and add a quality defender to help the goaltenders, the Sharks could easily slip back into contention.
Los Angeles Kings
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Possible Targets: Sami Salo
The Los Angeles Kings were expected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference but have not played that great this year.
The Kings are a good young team that might benefit from an older rental player to help add depth at forward.
The Kings could also use a veteran defender to help bring leadership and experience to a young defensive group.
The young Kings could make some noise in the playoffs if the Los Angeles front office brings in the pieces to help them do so.
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