This is where I put on my General Manager's hat (and assuming I already hired a coach), so if you have any comments or think I'm wrong with the following, feel free to comment and offer a solution. Just saying that I'm wrong is not enough; I want you to tell me why I'm wrong and offer a solution if you can.
As a General Manager, one of the very first things I would do is put Miika Kiprusoff and Jay Bouwmeester on the trading block, but still listen to offers for Jarome Iginla. Before I get to possibilities for Kiprusoff and Bouwmeester, I'd like to explain that even though I'm not putting Iginla on the trading block, I will listen to offers and if the right deal comes along, I will take it into consideration. As with Iginla, I won't just trade Kiprusoff or Bouwmeester just to get the money off the books. So, who could be considered trade partners for either player? Let's look at Kiprusoff first.
Trade possibilities for Miika Kiprusoff:
- Chicago Blackhawks: Goaltending problems were their ultimate undoing come playoff time, and depending on how much confidence they have in Corey Crawford could very well decide if they come calling. However, they are close to the salary cap ceiling, so we would have to take back close to an equal amount of salary.
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Let's face it, the Blue Jackets need help just about everywhere, and while it would be intriguing to trade for Rick Nash (Kiprusoff would be an attractive chip for the Blue Jackets to part with Nash) it is likely the Blue Jackets would want to throw in Steve Mason and ask for a first round pick. Remember, we're wanting to free up money, not take more on, and that may be too much with Nash and Mason. Of course, they would be the only real pieces that we would be interested in, and I know what you're saying, "Are you nuts for asking for Mason?" Yes, but Mason could benefit from a change in scenery, and I would like for him to be a backup to Leland Irving. After all, it's time to see if Irving is the long term answer, and that's part of the reason I'm shopping Kiprusoff.
- Edmonton Oilers: Okay, I know this is blasphemy, to trade with your provincial rivals, but Edmonton needs a goalie, as Nikolai Khabibulin is no longer a number one and Devan Dubnyk is not ready for the starter's role. However, Edmonton does have some prospects that we would be interested in, and we'd be happy to offer Kiprusoff to get some of them. Of course, I can imagine the Oilers management shooting this idea down, too, so don't hold your breath there.
- New Jersey Devils: The main thing that is needed to know here is whether Martin Brodeur will be back next season. If he retires and the Devils don't have confidence in their prospects, it is conceivable that they could be calling for Kiprusoff.
- New York Islanders: A team that clearly needs a goaltender, as Evgeni Nabokov is a free agent this season and isn't likely to return, and Al Montoya is not the long term answer there, either. And we haven't even mentioned Rick DiPietro and his injury history. The major roadblock? Very few players really want to go to Long Island (Nabokov refused to report when claimed off re-entry waivers in 2011) and there is much uncertainty around the team, with a clueless owner and a crumbling arena.
- San Jose Sharks: Don't laugh. If the Sharks willing to part with Antii Niemi, this is a deal that we'd be happy to take, and imagine the irony of Kiprusoff being back with the team he started with.
- Tampa Bay Lightning: The team with an obvious need in goal and with some good players that we'd want, it's clear that there is no real prospect in their system ready to seize the starting job, so Kiprusoff makes a lot of sense here. Maybe an NHL-ready player in addition to a prospect is the return we would like in an ideal world.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Another team with goaltending problems and players we could use. However, given our history of trading with Toronto (remember Doug Gilmour and Dion Phaneuf?) I would be hesitant to pull the trigger on this deal. However, if Toronto offers the right package, I don't think it would be easy to resist here.
What about Jay Bouwmeester?
- Colorado Avalanche: On the surface, it doesn't look like the Avs have a real need here. Then again, they did trade Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk for Erik Johnson and Jay McClement, so you never know...
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Another need for the Blue Jackets, though the return would likely be significantly less, and they don't really have much to offer. The best I can hope for? Possibly Steve Mason and a lower round draft pick.
- Edmonton Oilers: Again, a blasphemous notion, but it would be nice for Bouwmeester to return home and our demand would be a little better defined, like a Linus Omark, for example.
- New York Islanders: The Isles' blue line was dreadful last year, and like the Oilers, our wants are better defined, if a little bit of a reach. Josh Bailey, Nino Niederreiter, and/or Michael Grabner would be our targets.
- Ottawa Senators: Half of their current six are in their mid 30's, and certainly, they would like to have a younger player. Depending on if they re-sign Fillip Kuba will determine if they decide to go after Bouwmeester. Our most likely target would be the loser of the Robin Lehner/Ben Bishop battle for a goaltending spot in the lineup.
So, as you can see, I've identified eight potential destinations for Kiprusoff and five for Bouwmeester. While trading either or both would be seen as a cost-cutting move, it also has to be seen as a way to make the team better, whether it is developing the young talent we either have or get in return, spending wisely on the players we do get in free-agency, or finding a system that works for the talent we do have on the team.
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