The Race Is On: Part 2
Who’s making the playoffs?
Who’s coming up short?
Who’s available?
Nearly 50 games are done and it is becoming apparent who will be making the playoffs in the east.
Buffalo
New Jersey
Carolina
Ottawa
Montreal
Atlanta
Pittsburgh
Tampa
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New York R
New York I
I think we can all agree that Buffalo, New Jersey, Carolina, Ottawa, Montreal and Atlanta will be making the playoffs. Pittsburgh I think will be the surprise of the East and Tampa will just beat out both NY teams for 8th. That leaves Washington, Philadelphia, Florida, Boston and Toronto looking towards next season. Washington can’t be carried by Ovechkin and Kolzig into the playoffs; nor can Sundin continue to carry the Leafs; Florida and Phili don’t have a chance and Boston just can’t get it together. The Rangers defense is horrible and the Islanders were playing above their ability.
So the Eastern Conference traders are: Philadelphia, Florida, Boston, and Toronto. Washington really doesn’t have much to offer. You’ll get their names, stats, status and worth.
Philadelphia: Well to say it’s been a disappointing season for Phili wouldn’t even come close. Missing the playoffs, is considered disappointing; coming in dead last in the entire league, being embarrassed by every team that plays you, knowing that the success of your team soley relies on one player is absolutely atrocious. The flyers will be the biggest sellers in the East.
Peter Forsberg – 8 G, 12 A, -6 – UFA – 1st rdp, top 4 defenseman
Kyle Calder – 8 G, 5 A, -26 – UFA – 3rd rdp
Mike York – 7 G, 8 A, -18 – UFA – 2nd rdp
Alexie Zhitnik – 4 G, 13 A, -1 – UFA – 2nd rdp, prospect
Robert Esche – 4.41 GAA, .869 SV% – UFA – 3rd rdp
Florida: Well the Bertuzzi trade worked out……FOR VANCOUVER. The team has inconsistent offense, non-existent defense and worse goaltending than Kelly Hrudey, I had to Kelly.
Nathan Horton – 15 G, 13 A, +8 – RFA – 2nd rdp, prospect
Martin Gelinas – 6 G, 15 A, +2 – UFA – 3rd rdp
Gary Roberts – 12 G, 15 A, +4 – UFA – 3rd rdp
Todd Bertuzzi – 1 G, 6 A, -4 (7 GP) – UFA – 2nd rdp, prospect
Mike Van Ryn – 4 G, 14 A, -6 – 3 years at 2.9 M – 2nd rdp, prospect
Ed Belfour – 2.62 GAA, .902 SV% – UFA – 3rd rdp
Boston: A lot of people expected Boston to be doing very well this year. They thought their offense would be lacking, but their blue line would be terrific. Seems more of the opposite has occurred. With stars like Chara, Stuart, Mara the Boston defense has continued to be extremely sloppy. We are also seeing the Thornton trade continue to haunt the Bruins with the Stuart, Sturm and Primeau all up for UFA.
Brad Stuart – 7 G, 9 A, -12 – UFA – 2nd rdp, prospect
Paul Mara – 3 G, 13 A, -14 – 1 year at 3 M – 2nd rdp, prospect
Marco Sturm – 12 G, 9 A, -14 – UFA – 3rd rdp, prospect
P.J. Axelsson – 8 G, 11 A, -10 – 2 years at 1.85 M – two 3rd rdp’s
Brad Boyes – 8 G, 18 A, -13 – 1 year 1.5 M – 2nd rdp, prospect
Toronto: Well JFJ has hopefully shafted this team for the last time. They don’t have a terrible team, but by overpaying their defensemen, drastically, they’ve left themselves without enough money to have a deep offense. Brace yourselves.
Bryan McCabe – 1st rdp, prospect (I’d trade him for Chris Campoli, Miroslav Satan)
Pavel Kubina – must be involved in trade with equal salaries coming the other way (I’d take Bertuzzi or Tkachuk, either one will resign with TO for a lot less)
Darcy Tucker – 1st rdp, prospect