Trade Winds for Vancouver

In dissecting the trades that Vancouver made this day, there are many things to consider.  However, before doing all that, I would like to say that I thought the team should have stood pat and given Cody Hodgson and Victor Oreskovich a chance to make their hay on the fourth line.  However, seeing the trades Vancouver made has me thinking a little different.  Why?  Let's look at the trades:

*Picking up Chris Higgins from Florida for Even Oberg and a 3rd round pick.

*Picking up Maxim Lapierre and MacGregor Sharp form Anaheim for Joel Perreault and a draft pick

In both instances, Vancouver really didn't give up much to pick up the players that can help right away.  Neither player given up was truly going to be a factor in the long term for the Canucks.  This aspect earns a passing grade, especially since they still have Hodgson, Jordan Schroeder, Sergei Shirokov, and any prospects that will figure into the team's future.  Draft picks from 2012 and 2013 were also sent to Anaheim and Florida, respectively, which likely are going to be a down the road deal.  For a team that wants to win now, this is a small price to pay for that.  As for the new guys:  Chris Higgins is a former 1st round pick that hasn't lived up to expectations.  A low risk deal, he doesn't have the same pressures that he had when in Montreal, NY Rangers, Calgary, or Florida.  Lapierre will fill a fourth line role, and won't have the pressures of Montreal or Anaheim.  If Lapierre adds toughness like I think he will and stays focused, the fourth line will look even better.  As for guys like Hodgson and Oreskovich, they'll get their time in Manitoba, but I would have liked for them to get some playoff experience on the NHL level, or at least some meaningful games with the Canucks.  In any event, both deals worked out as well as anyone could hope for: two players that provide depth and a need without giving up significant pieces to the puzzle in the future.

More Deadline Madness

Here is the Eastern Conference and the teams battling for the last few spots in that race.

EASTERN CONFERENCE


7. New York Rangers:  Acquiring Bryan McCabe was good because they didn't give up much to get him.  However, the good could be undone if they do in fact, go for Brad Richards.  The Stars are asking a lot for him, and the Rangers look like the most likely suckers to go for the bait there.

8. Carolina Hurricanes: The most likely 8th seed at the moment, they would love another veteran presence to go along with recently acquired Cory Stillman to take some of the pressure off of rookies such as Jeff Skinner.

9. Buffalo Sabres: Acquired Brad Boyes in hopes of getting some offensive firepower.  Last time they tried to get offensive firepower (Raffi Torres last year), it did them no good.  Let's hope this time is different because Ryan Miller can only carry a team so far.

10. Toronto Maple Leafs: Despite being sellers, they're well in the playoff chase.  Two questions here: how long can James Reimer hold up and do the Leafs think about trading Phil Kessel?  Whether the Leafs make the playoffs or not, they look like they're setting themselves up for the future quite well.

11. Atlanta Thrashers:  Falling out of the playoff race fast, the Thrashers desperately need offense, something missing since Tobias Enstrom got hurt prior to the All-Star Break.  Perhaps being sellers would be good, since they don't nearly have enough to be contenders this year.

12. Florida Panthers:  Sell...big time!  Florida fans are delusional if they think the Panthers are playoff contenders.  If I were them, I'd entertain offers for Tomas Vokoun...right now.

13. New Jersey Devils: A long shot to make the playoffs, it's a miracle that they're even in the playoff hunt.  Too bad they still have to jump over a lot of bodies to get there.  Trading Jason Arnott doesn't necessarily mean they're out of it, but it would offer some relief on the cap space and maybe a prospect or two from that deal could help.

Deadline Madness

Today is the trade deadline in the NHL, and I have no idea who will be moved, but in an effort to help, I will be offering some "sage" advice to those teams wondering if they should be buying or selling.  This will cover the bubble teams, otherwise known as the 5-12 teams in the Western Conference and 7-13 teams in the Easter Conference (which will be covered in the next piece) within earshot of the playoffs. (Numbers reflect where team stands as of this morning)

WESTERN CONFERENCE


5. Los Angeles Kings: They've been looking for that goal scorer on the wing, and Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner of Edmonton are rumored to be on their wish list.  Question is...what would the Kings give up to get either one?  They have to think about resigning players on their team, and both carry hefty price tags.

6. Calgary Flames: They've played their way back into the playoff chase, and having some scoring options would really help here, especially in the middle.  Question is...do you mess with team chemistry that's been developed in recent weeks?  They're one of the hottest teams in that time, and clearly would benefit from a trade.  However, do they do that at the expense of chemistry and the future?

7. Minnesota Wild: They're in the hunt because of their goaltending and opportune scoring.  Do they make a move for more offense or try to maintain team chemistry?  A team that relies heavily on goaltending needs breathing room on offense, but do you pull the trigger if the right deal presents itself?

8. Chicago Blackhawks: Signing Brent Seabrook to a five year extension just might sink this team beyond this year.  Yes, they're still in the playoff hunt, but was signing him to that deal now necessary?  If they  don't make the playoffs, be ready for another fire sale.

9. Dallas Stars: The $10 Million dollar question is what the Stars do with Brad Richards.  Yes, they're still in the playoff hunt, but do you move him to get prospects or do you keep him and risk getting nothing for him in free angency?  The crystal ball says the Stars will likely fleece the Rangers into trading a blue chip prospect for Richards.

10. Nashville Predators: Always near the bottom of the playoff ladder, their need has been the same since the beginning of their existence: offense.  Trading from their wealth of blue line prospects would be good, but in the long term, the Preds have to worry about resigning Shea Weber, their best defenseman.

11. Anaheim Ducks: They've already made moves before the deadline, but will it be enough?  I don't see how Dan Ellis will solve the goaltending hole that Jonas Hiller left due to injuries.  The Ducks will be a tough out in the playoffs, but they have to get there first, and I just don't see that with their goaltending situation right now.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets:  They should be selling.  Too many bodies to jump over, and not enough firepower on the blue line to really make a difference.  Their goaltending isn't that great, either.

At Long Last...

The gentleman you see here is Hugh Jessiman, and before you start the "Hugh Jazz" jokes, let it be known that it took me a while to reach that one before all of the other ones about how he never got a sniff of the NHL...until tonight.

Yes, it has been a long time coming for the former 1st round pick of the New York Rangers in 2003.  In fact, he never suited up for the Rangers in a regular season game.  Drafted while playing in Dartmouth, he never replicated the numbers that got him drafted in the first place.  Even worse, the Rangers had the ignominious distinction of being the team that passed on Dustin Brown, Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, and Zach Parise, with the last of those four drafted by the New Jersey Devils.  Jessiman's journey would take him to the Predators' farm system and eventually Chicago's farm system before a trade to Florida would lead him to this point.  Think about this, Shawn Belle, he of 11 games in the NHL, even has had a sniff of the NHL.  As for Jessiman, he should take some time to appreciate the work and sometimes, the pain of getting to the NHL.  Even if he never plays another game in the NHL, all of the perseverance that got him to one game will have paid off.  At least he will have an interesting story to tell his kids when he gets older.

Garage Sale in Ottawa

The Ottawa Senators are continuing their sell off of players, as Alexei Kovalev was sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a conditional 7th round pick in the 2011 draft.  Before getting into what it means for both teams, it should be noted that Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Brian Elliot, and Jarko Ruutu were also traded in the past weeks.  Who could be next?  Chris Phillips or Nick Foligno are decent options, and if the Jason Spezza troubles flare up again, he could be on the block.  That last one, obviously, is dependent on what management says, as opposed to Spezza, since the last time it happened, management shot down Spezza's trade request in the offseason.

Now, about the Kovalev trade, it is another salary dump for Ottawa that they would gladly take, since Kovalev has produced very little for them.  Like Dany Heatley and Spezza before him, Kovalev has also had issues with coach Cory Clouston, and Clouston's situation bears watching at the end of the season.  For Pittsburgh, a 7th round pick was all they gave up to get Kovalev, which means Pittsburgh isn't likely to lose much if he doesn't pan out for the playoff run.  The gamble here is that Kovalev replicates his first run in Pittsburgh, albeit in a rental role, as opposed to a full season.  Ottawa is clearly in a rebuilding mode now, and it's likely going to take a long time, especially since they have no dependable stay at home defenseman since Anton Volchenkov left for New Jersey and their goaltending is a perpetual mess.  Oh, and captain Daniel Alfredsson can't carry the team forever, as he is nearing 40.

Ashes in Her Eyes

Gather around, kids, as yet another horrifying story from the mind of Alan Spencer is upon us.  This time, it's about what happens when the cremated ashes attack, specifically by entering the eyes and take over a body.  That's what you get with his third novel Ashes in Her Eyes.

The novel begins when crematorium worker Stephanie Garris accidentally gets ashes of a killer into her eyes after they spill out of an urn she was carrying to a different place.  It is after that where there are three different stories intertwined into one: Becky Lowen and her friends worrying about Stephanie/Michael Demner killing her, Stephanie's husband Ryan worrying about Stephanie's sudden change in habits such as smoking and drinking, and Michael's attempt to escape the cremated world by taking over Stephanie's body and mind.  The take over is gradual, which lends itself as far as developing the story and suspense factor.  Along the way, there are also some gruesome murders, which are told in a fair amount of detail, as well as the fraying emotions of both Becky and Ryan.  The end of the book is not lacking in excitement, as the frantic moments add to an already intense read.

Ashes in Her Eyes has an interesting plot that is carried out quite well, despite the silliness of the premise of ashes taking over someone's body.  Then again, logic has to be thrown out the window for horror books.  The characters are fairly well developed, though when Becky's boyfriend got smashed into pieces, I wasn't shedding any tears for they guy.  And the novel has one of the best one liners after he bites the dust: "God-Damn, Becky, your boyfriend stinks.  I think he shit himself on impact."

The Semi-Annual Relocation Talk

The following is some fantasy talk.  All arguments are encouraged, so as long as it stays on the subject at hand.

As a hockey fan in the Midwest, I feel sad knowing that there isn't an NHL team in Kansas City.  There was one (Scouts) that completely bombed in the mid-70's.  There have also been teams in the lower leagues (IHL's Blades, CHL's Mavericks, etc.) but too often, the lack of advertising locally makes it difficult to really get behind those teams.  So, what makes me think that Kansas City deserves an NHL team now?  Besides a new arena, some good advertising savvy and a marketable star would be good starts.  The latter is obviously dependent on the city getting a team.  To that end, I'd like to extend an invitation to the Atlanta Thrashers to make their home here should they decide to move.  Now, whoever owns the team is likely going to make that decision in a few years, but for the sake of argument, let's say that I decided to buy the team and move it to Kansas City.  Now, how to sell the city on the team?  Let's start with...

*Every team needs a star to promote, and the Thrashers have a good one in Dustin Byfuglien.  Recently signed to a new deal that keeps him for five more years, it's likely that if the Thrashers do move in a year or two, Byfuglien is coming along, and even though he's not on the level of Sidney Crosby, he's been the most marketable player in Atlanta.  A similar marketing campaign surrounding Byfuglien would work in Kansas City.

*Atlanta has had trouble attracting fans...in either shot at the NHL.  Atlanta also has the notoriety of not being such a great sports city.  Even with the two year stint as an NHL city, Kansas City has had a reputation as a good sports city, particularly when it comes to the NFL's Chiefs.  Though the hockey team would have to compete with the Chiefs for the first part of the season, they wouldn't have much in the way of competition for fans, unlike Atlanta, where the NBA's Hawks take up the second half of the season, and the Hawks are preennial playoff contenders now.

*It would likely reignite a Kansas City/St. Louis rivalry that has grown stagnant in recent years, with the "haves" and "have nots" in both baseball and football.  Plus, the likelyhood is that the Nashville Predators would move to the Southeast Division to accommodate the move, which means the Kansas City team would have rivalries with other Midwest teams in the Blackhawks and Red Wings.  Rivalries make everything interesting, and Atlanta hasn't had much in the way of a rivalry.

Odds are that for as long as Gary Bettman is in charge, the Thrashers are going to be pressured into staying there.  However, the bottom line is the bottom line, and the Thrashers are not drawing.  There is also talk about possible moves to places like Winnipeg and Portland, OR.  However, Kansas City has everything in place to make it a reality should a team decide to relocate.