Looking forward to anything this lockout season: 2013 Trade Deadline

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Lockout Day 1. I’m depressed. No training camp hype, no hockey pool chattering in the office, and no more crazy Leafs trade rumours. This is lame.

So I began to think about things to come should the season eventually start. For instance, the possible trade deadline. I know it hasn’t lived up to all the hype on TSN the past couple of years, but I think this year’s could be interesting for a couple reasons. One, a shortened season means less time to make trades and there could be more of a scramble at the end of the year to add talent. Second, the new CBA could offer some new elements such as trading cap space, age eligibility for UFA’s, or involve more macro systematic considerations like conference re-alignment, expansion teams, entry-level contracts, and the draft lottery. And finally, several aging of the game are UFA in the summer – many of whom aren’t on contending teams, and could be used as trade bait to teams looking to make a good playoff run.

After yesterday’s sudden free agency bonanza (albeit dominated by RFA’s), this list is based on contracts signed by Sept 15. I have divided teams with pending UFA’s into 2 categories: Boom or Bust, and Pretenders. Keep in mind, this is simply my opinion, it’s subjective and open to critical dispute. Anyone of these teams could be in the Cup finals or be on the podium putting a jersey on Nathan MacKinnon. All too often weird things happen to teams with expectations – see the 2006/07 Flyers, 2010/11 Devils, 2011/12 Blue Jackets.

Today’s Edition - Boom or Bust Teams #1: The Dallas Stars.

Having missed the playoffs since 2008, GM Joe Nieuwendyk shook up his roster by trading away Mike Riberio and Steve Ott. New to Dallas are Jagr, Whitney, Roy and prospect Cody Eakin. The Stars also locked up Kari Lehtonen but failed to ink Jamie Benn to a long-term deal. Chemistry is an obvious issue for the new line-up, add that to an underwhelming defence and frail bottom-6, and who knows where this team will end up in the standings. THN predicts 9th in the West.

In case they tank the season, the following four players could be headed out of the Star State…

Jaromir Jagr – Will he sell tickets in Big D? Can he mentor Benn/Eriksson and lead them into the playoffs? Maybe. But I’m guessing no. Apparently he’s starting the season in Czech so expect him to be in game shape whenever the season finally opens.

Plausible deadline destinations?

Re-union in Pittsburgh? The Pens made cap room for the big dogs on July 1 but came away with… Tanner Glass. Assuming the Cap ceiling remains the same, 68 could be feasible in yellow and black once again.

Re-union in NYR? The Blueshirts were rumoured to still be looking to add to their offensive arsenal even after the Nash trade. Jagr needs 12 assists to reach 1000… if he doesn’t gel in Dallas is there any other stage better than MSG to celebrate a milestone like that?

Who else could be interested?
Most everyone headed to the NHL’s sweet 16. Specifically though, the Preds, Blues, Kings, Lightning, and Habs.

Expected return?
2nd round pick…ish. Maybe a B+ prospect or so-so roster player, ie: Eric Tangradi or Carl Hagelin


Brenden Morrow – Heart and soul player that is hard to critique. His style of play may be taking its toll on the body, but Morrow will be on every GM’s radar should he be made available.

Plausible deadline destinations?

Anaheim? If (and in my estimation this is a BIG IF,) the Ducks don’t suck, Morrow would fit in well with Perry and Getzlaf whom he spent some playing time with at the 2010 games.

Washington? A perennial disappointing team come playoff time. Add Morrow’s grit, leadership, and determination to a line alongside Laich and Brouwer, and suddenly Adam Oates has the toughness Bruce Boudreau could only have dreamed of.

Who else could be interested?
Again - everyone. Specifically the Canucks, Hawks, Leafs, Panthers, Hurricanes, and Wild.

Expected Return?
What the Stars do get back depends on Morrow’s health and the kind of offence he produces before being dealt. I would ask for a 1st rounder (maybe conditional on if he re-signs), plus a wild card prospect, ie: Kyle Beach.


Derek Roy – I’m guessing he shows up after recovering from surgery with something to prove. I think he clicks in the Stars top 6 and signs on to the future.

Michael Ryder – Personally I'm not a fan. Like Roy I see no reason why he wouldn’t sign an extension. But if he doesn’t, look for teams wanting to add secondary scoring or help along the right side; ie: Pens, Canes, Wings, maybe even the Bruins if Horton struggles with his recovery.

Other Pending UFA’s: Eric Nystrom and Mark Fistric. Both former first rounder’s turned legitimate NHL role players. Could fetch a mid-level pick or prospect in return.


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