Reflection on Trade Frenzy

[pixburgher66]

The past few days have shown how quickly teams react to each other when trades occur. The interesting thing is, with these happening now and not at the last minute, teams have time to respond how they feel necessary. Philly, Boston, and Tampa have all reacted to each other and attempted to load up for the home-stretch. Now, what's the response of the rest of the East? I don't see the West necessarily responding to these because who knows who ends up in the SCF, but the two teams that basically are forced to respond in some sense are Washington and Pittsburgh. Those are the two that are struggling in some sense, whether through system changing pains or injuries galore. Agree, disagree? Think we'll see more moves from those two upcoming?

 

[evolver115]

I agree. Philly pulled the first impact trade. Boston reacted, and pulled two trades of their own. Now, TB gets in on the action, as well.

As for Pittsburgh, what can they do if they don't know if Crosby will be able to play? Why mortgage your future, now? If Sid is hurt, I hope they do next to nothing.

 

[JustAsking]

Shero is in a bit of a bind. With the Pens defense, goaltending, and a healthy Sid... the Pens can still make some noise in the East. However, if Sid is unable to go the rest of the way, the Pens, may send a team home early, but probably not. Shero's bind is Sid. He needs to monitor that situation. If Sid can not go, no trades, no point. If Sid can go, perhaps a trade. Shero can not and will not react to todays events.

The Caps... they are contenders... I expect them to be active as well... not reactive however. They'll go at their own pace.

EDIT: Not sure where this fits in, but Asham has a concussion.. he is not day-to-day, he is not even exercising. Kunitz and Letestu skated after the practice.

 

[pixburgher66]

I really think the Pens should still make moves. Not big ones, but a few others. we have the space to make them, and should. I agree that spending a lot on guys isn't worth it, but I trust that Shero is close enough to the situation to know if Sid's health should stop him from making any moves.

 

[Ho_Brah]

I think Lombardi is going to wait till the very last day before he pulls the trigger. Its still unclear where the Kings are going to be (in the standings) come trade deadline.

 

[JustAsking]

I really think the Pens should still make moves. Not big ones, but a few others. we have the space to make them, and should. I agree that spending a lot on guys isn't worth it, but I trust that Shero is close enough to the situation to know if Sid's health should stop him from making any moves.

I don't think he is. Not even Sid or the doctors know much about his status. That's the scary part... no one knows. That's why I think Shero is in a bind... I don't think the information regarding Sids concussion will be available before the deadline.

 

[JustAsking]

I think Lombardi is going to wait till the very last day before he pulls the trigger. Its still unclear where the Kings are going to be (in the standings) come trade deadline.

Within the next two years Geno will be a King (although, when he was a rookie, I dreamt he captained the Habs to a Cup)

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Actually Washington made a big trade before anyone else. They traded Tomas Fleischman to Colorado for Scott Hannan.

I expect the Caps to attempt to add a forward. Probably a center since they have two rookies centering their 2nd & 3rd lines. Of course the media will speculate about Vokoun because of the young goalies the Caps have. It's possible but I don't think it will happen.

The Caps have plenty of trading chips though so who knows.

The Pens need to do something. A top 6 forward is necessary.

 

[Eddie_Shack]

Out West I believe the only two real locks to make the playoffs are Vancouver and Detroit. Detroit is right up against the cap and has Modano coming back, so that's like our trade deadline acquisition. Vancouver has been crushing it and I don't know if they want to mess with the chemistry right now, although they need some defensive help bad. Gillies might just let it right and hope everyone gets healthy.

Nobody else knows if they are going to be in or out, so I'm guessing that logjam in the West will wait until the last minute to make any trades. Look for a lot of activity on deadline day.

 

[davnlaguna]

I think Lombardi is going to wait till the very last day before he pulls the trigger. Its still unclear where the Kings are going to be (in the standings) come trade deadline.

Trades, we don't have no trades, we don't need no stinkin trades.

Kings will do what the do every year at the trade deadline and July 1st, claim that there was not the "right fit" out there.
"Don't want to add a player just to say we did something."
"Don't want to hurt this young core we have put together"
"There was not a deal that made sense"
"We have to look to the future"
"The guys in the locker room need to take responsiblity for themselves and not look for a trade or someone else to fix it for them."

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Trades, we don't have no trades, we don't need no stinkin trades.

Kings will do what the do every year at the trade deadline and July 1st, claim that there was not the "right fit" out there.
"Don't want to add a player just to say we did something."
"Don't want to hurt this young core we have put together"
"There was not a deal that made sense"
"We have to look to the future"
"The guys in the locker room need to take responsiblity for themselves and not look for a trade or someone else to fix it for them."

Is there a top 3 or 6 forward available that Lombardi should be pursuing?

 

[davnlaguna]

Is there a top 3 or 6 forward available that Lombardi should be pursuing?

I don't know. I was just giving the reasons he is going to say at Breakfast with the GM on March 6th if he doesn't make a trade. Kings have not made a deadline deal in several years, nor have they signed an UFA on July forst in several years (5 I think).

If a deal were to be done for Penner, Richards or maybe Hemsky that would say they Kings are really making a push. I don't think that any of these guys turn the Kings into a Cup winner.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I don't know. I was just giving the reasons he is going to say at Breakfast with the GM on March 6th if he doesn't make a trade. Kings have not made a deadline deal in several years, nor have they signed an UFA on July forst in several years (5 I think).

If a deal were to be done for Penner, Richards or maybe Hemsky that would say they Kings are really making a push. I don't think that any of these guys turn the Kings into a Cup winner.

I'd stay clear of Hemsky. He's an injury waiting to happen & will be an UFA after next year. I'd stay away from Penner because he to will be an UFA after next season. The Oilers offered Hemsky to Columbus for the 4th overall pick in 2010. Of course they were turned down. They want far too much for their players. They aren't worth it.

The player that Lombardi might want to consider is Zherdev in Philly. He's a sniper. He's not the best backchecker out their but he can put the puck in the net. He'll be a UFA at the end of the season. His cap hit for the rest of the year right now is something around 7 to 8 hundred grand. He sits in the pressbox a lot these days so he should be fresh for the stretch run.

 

[JustAsking]

Actually Washington made a big trade before anyone else. They traded Tomas Fleischman to Colorado for Scott Hannan.

I expect the Caps to attempt to add a forward. Probably a center since they have two rookies centering their 2nd & 3rd lines. Of course the media will speculate about Vokoun because of the young goalies the Caps have. It's possible but I don't think it will happen.

The Caps have plenty of trading chips though so who knows.

The Pens need to do something. A top 6 forward is necessary.

If that's the case would Jason Arnott look good in red...a different red.

 

[Ho_Brah]

I don't know. I was just giving the reasons he is going to say at Breakfast with the GM on March 6th if he doesn't make a trade. Kings have not made a deadline deal in several years, nor have they signed an UFA on July forst in several years (5 I think).

If a deal were to be done for Penner, Richards or maybe Hemsky that would say they Kings are really making a push. I don't think that any of these guys turn the Kings into a Cup winner.

Agreed. The Kings have what they need in the system. I really hope no foolish trades are made with any of their prospects.

 

[JustAsking]

For the Pens, think about it... it all depends on if Sid will be able to play again this year... correct? He is necessary for the Pens to make any type of run. He won't be cleared to play before the deadline, nor will there be a timetable come deadline either. If he does not play, do you think Arnott or Kovalev will really make the Pens contenders? Assuming Sid, Kunitz, Letestu, Asham, and to a lesser extent Jeffery, all come back... the Pens should be able to contend. When you think about the player out for the year is Geno... so I guess the real question is, who replaces Geno better... TK or a trade.... TK has really taken advantage of his opportunity, especially on the power play. 5 goals in 4 games, 4 on the PP... something like that. 2nd line minutes.

First, is there anybody available better than TK or a current Pen to replace Geno? If so.
Question two, do you really want to take a chance knowing if Sid does not play, the trade won't matter any way. Forgetting the players involved, if you were a GM what would you do?

 

[pixburgher66]

For the Pens, think about it... it all depends on if Sid will be able to play again this year... correct? He is necessary for the Pens to make any type of run. He won't be cleared to play before the deadline, nor will there be a timetable come deadline either. If he does not play, do you think Arnott or Kovalev will really make the Pens contenders? Assuming Sid, Kunitz, Letestu, Asham, and to a lesser extent Jeffery, all come back... the Pens should be able to contend. When you think about the player out for the year is Geno... so I guess the real question is, who replaces Geno better... TK or a trade.... TK has really taken advantage of his opportunity, especially on the power play. 5 goals in 4 games, 4 on the PP... something like that. 2nd line minutes.

First, is there anybody available better than TK or a current Pen to replace Geno? If so.
Question two, do you really want to take a chance knowing if Sid does not play, the trade won't matter any way. Forgetting the players involved, if you were a GM what would you do?

I'd only trade for a guy I saw as fitting in beyond this season. So...that limits things. I really don't think he'll be stagnant though.

 

[JustAsking]

I'd only trade for a guy I saw as fitting in beyond this season. So...that limits things. I really don't think he'll be stagnant though.

What's your cap number?

EDIT: Pens have the luxury of an open roster next year, at the low end of the pay roll tough.

 

[pixburgher66]

What's your cap number?

EDIT: Pens have the luxury of an open roster next year, at the low end of the pay roll tough.

That's why I think they can take on a bigger salary now. But salary isn't the cost in this situation.

 

[JustAsking]

That's why I think they can take on a bigger salary now. But salary isn't the cost in this situation.

How can they trade for the long term and also take on a bigger salary now? I assume by trading for the long term you mean a player under contract. If their salary is big this year, it will also be big next year when Geno's cap comes back on the books. All the Pens UFAs are 3rd/4th liners that need to be replaced by similar contracts... 3 mil or under and kiss Talbot good-bye in the off-season.