[joshjull]

Originally Posted by Amd

My theory is that the below three players would be trade candidates to teams that are already in the playoff picture lookig for some experienced depth. The problem is their contracts.

Jason Pominville is inconsistant and can not be counted on. However, his contract is untradeable unless it is packaged with a prospect or a high pick. He is 133rd in the league in scoring and I can guarantee that there is probably on 30 players in the league that are making more then him.

For informational purposes, Pommer is the 64th highest paid player.

I think he would be hard to trade more because of his NMC than his salary.

Paul Gaustad is over paid. His contract would be decent to a team needing specifically what he can bring. Second level PK, a physical game once every ten games or so, but most of all key draws in their own end. However if you package him also with a prospect and a pick, you split the cost so to speak.

How overpaid is Goose in your mind? 500+K?

You're going to throw away a pick + prospect to help get rid of a player that fills a role we need filled? All because you feel he makes 500-800k more than you feel he should?

Does that make any sense?

Hecht. Hecht would be an easily tradeable commodity if he was to be a UFA at the end of this season.

I don't have as big of an issue with Hecht as many others do. We also don't have a player ready to take his place that can do all the things he does.

This is just my start at bad contract players. Players that are not playing up to their caliber.

Players that you move no matter what:

Connolly- UFA take what you can get. If no one is offering you anything but a fourth leading up to deadline day, take it. I would imagine he is worth substantially more, but he better not be on this roster February 29th.

I'd rather have stability at cetner down the stretch trying to make the playoffs than a 4th rounder. But if someone is willing to overpay for him I would likely change my mind.

Gerbe- Gone. We have to many players of his stature. Between Byron and Ennis, we simply can not afford to keep going this way in the future.

I think his value is as high as its going to be and now is a good time to move him. But I wouldn't move him for just anything as you're suggesting.

Grier- As much as I like him, if hewe have the opportunity and he agrees, move him. He is the exact type of player that a Stanley Cup contender adds and overpays a 3rd or late 2nd for sometimes.

I'm torn on this one. But I'm leaning towards keeping him.

Enroth- If the return is good with a younger decent goalie prospect coming back in the return package, it is done. Notice I said package. We need a goalie to promote to Portland that has possible NHL caliber skills.

I'm not trading Enroth.

Defenseman- Do something. Even if it is wrong. I am sick of sitting on two healthy scratches on defense every night when teams like Vancouver need depth.

I agree they should trade some of their defensive depth for help. Not on board with the do something, even if its wrong.

The bottom line is even if we had made some little moves, we could have gained some picks or mid level prospects. Mid level prospects keep Portland a float while we are yanking the talent out of there.

I am interested to see what others have to add and where they really see this team at and where it needs to go.

I can not see blowing it up. In order to do so, you have to either trade the bad contracts and let all current UFA's go except maybe Montador. (and I trade him if the price is right. He was never as good as he is without playing with Leopold). Either that or I consider buying Pommers out and giveing the money to Drew. Maybe at least trying to make a push for Richards in the off season if he is available and the price does not get ridiculously inflated which I am sure it will.

The team needs some addition by subtraction and then at least two decent centers. One number one and a young 3rd/future 2nd line center.

I think we need to shift our organizational depth from the defense and wings to center. They may not be able to get a top 6 center but a few 2/3 centers would be good targets.

I would also like to see top 4 defensive dmen targeted. We've had a drop off in defensive play in the top 4 with the losses of Tallinder/Lydman.


I've always felt the best time to do this would be the off season. But with the recent flurry of trades that aren't for rentals. We may be able to make some changes now.