At the trade deadline, if Gillis wanted to trade for a younger impact player which of these three would be the most benifical to the Canucks as a team?
Jordan Stall to centre our 2nd line and Kesler to move to RW?
Drew Stafford to play RW on the Kesler line?
Jonathon Blum to paired with Edler as a RD?
All three players would be considered above average and important players to their respictive teams, but none are first line players for their team and would not be considered a franchise level player for their team. Thus each could be considered tradeable for a fair return without the need for overpayment.
Staal played a very key role in the Pens Cup victory a couple years ago. He's one of the best checking centers in the game, in fact, he could probably play up anywhere else. He may or may not be a part of the long-term plans there but he most certainly is a key cog who is unlikely to be moved at this point.
Stafford was a guy whose name came up all the time in years past, but not anymore. He had a big year for the Sabres, and if I'm not mistaken, didn't they re-sign him? Either way, with Pegula running the show in Buffalo, they've gotten pretty serious about winning, and I can't see them moving him for futures.
Until Weber and Suter are re-signed/traded/replaced, I don't think Blum goes anywhere. They have d-men in spades, but Blum is something of a proven quantity at this level whereas a guy like Ellis is not. Not to mention they already traded Franson and let O'Brien go...
Stafford might be available. He's certainly not untouchable. But I think Pittsburgh has made it quite clear they want Staal as a franchise player. He's just too valuable.
Can't see how Blum would be untouchable either. However, if Nashville can't come to terms with Weber they'd be very reluctant to trade a young and promising D. On the flip side, if they do they'd probably be willing to entertain some offers if it'll help them on offense.
About the same cost it would take other teams to acquire Raymond, Burrows, or Schneider... Those teams have playoff aspirations and likely will be in the thick of (or ahead of) the playoff race. Those teams don't trade current talent for future potential.
Stafford might be available. He's certainly not untouchable. But I think Pittsburgh has made it quite clear they want Staal as a franchise player. He's just too valuable.
Can't see how Blum would be untouchable either. However, if Nashville can't come to terms with Weber they'd be very reluctant to trade a young and promising D. On the flip side, if they do they'd probably be willing to entertain some offers if it'll help them on offense.
I could see Stafford and Blum being available... not Staal though. No way.
1) Calgary isn't rebuilding, Iginla doesn't want out, and even if one of those two were true, I really don't think they - or we - would run the risk of trading within the division.
2) Kipper is getting up there, yes, but he's also got a few years left in him IMO. It seems they do have at least one or two young goaltenders in the system as well, so I'm not convinced they'd be interested in Schneids.
3) Hodgson may interest them, but his injury history may scare them off.
4) Our picks, if I may be so bold, will likely be late.
5) If Iggy was up for grabs, I suspect at least several teams would be in a bidding war for his services, and I'm not sure the Canucks could match it, even if the whole division thing were a non factor.
Short answer - too many ifs & question marks, too many stipulations. Not happening.
I think the only way this happens is at the deadline.
If Calgary is already out of contention and Iginla says he'd like to finish the year on a playoff team, it could happen. If Iginla is going to retire in the offseason i don't think he'd be out of line.
Vancouver will be in the playoffs. Gillis might lose control and trade away a bunch of assets for a rental.
I think the only way this happens is at the deadline.
If Calgary is already out of contention and Iginla says he'd like to finish the year on a playoff team, it could happen. If Iginla is going to retire in the offseason i don't think he'd be out of line.
Vancouver will be in the playoffs. Gillis might lose control and trade away a bunch of assets for a rental.
We'll see.
Why would 34-year-old Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla -- who has played 82 games in every season since the lockout (save one year he played 70) and is coming over a 43 goal 86 point season -- retire next summer?
That's overpayment for a guy who is going to walk.
Doan's made it very clear in the past that he's willing to do what he can to stay with the Jets/Coyotes Franchise. I certainly don't think he'll walk, and it's unlikely he gets moved. But if the Coyotes are able to trade him it's going to be like something along the lines of Smyth leaving Edmonton (without all the drama).
