Who will be moved at the trade deadline?
There are going to be more moves then ever at this years trade deadline, with a huge crop of free agent forwards, and less parity then last years NHL, who will be deadline before the 28th?
I guarantee Mats Sundin will not end his career in a Leafs uniform. This is it for Mats and the Maple Leafs, and it’s sad, because I’d love to see him stay for a few more years, but he won’t win a cup here. I can see Anaheim or Buffalo taking a run at him. Anaheim could use the size down the middle, and Buffalo could use the cup driven mentality that won Brind’Amour and the Hurricanes a Cup last year. I’d say Anaheim is the most likely destination, because they have more to offer the Maple Leafs, they aren’t such stingy dealers, and I can’t see the Buds trading their captain to a division rival.
Shane Doan becomes a free agent this summer, and I see him going to the Edmonton Oilers at the deadline. The Alberta native plays Edmonton style hard ass hockey, and would fit beautifully into this line up, if hockey Canada experience means anything, Kevin Lowe seems to like him. He’s a scrappy guy, and he could fill Ryan Smyth’s role with a bit more physicality if Smyth decides to sign elsewhere this summer.
Think any teams would want the playoff experience of Gary Roberts or Joe Nieuwendyk? The Panthers are falling in the standings, and Nieuwy has won a cup on three different teams, and Roberts has always been a playoff warrior. Todd Bertuzzi has been rumored to want to go to Phoenix in the summer anyways, and could also be dealt near the deadline.
John Leclair will almost surely be in a new home by the end of the year, and Mark Recchi could be dealt again. Don’t count out the Carolina Hurricane, who last year acquired two cup-thirsty veterans, cupless Doug Weight, and Mark Recchi who had one career Stanley Cup. I could see the Hurricanes chasing anyone mentioned already.
I could definitely see Curtis Joseph seeking a trade to a contender at the end of the year. Sadly, the Leafs don’t fit this, with two goalies already, and being out of the playoff picture, I am sad to say CuJo won’t be returning to Toronto unless JFJ gets fired (there’s still hope??? Isn’t there????)… anyways, Ottawa, Carolina, or Tampa could use a goalie, and with the playoff records of Lundqvist and Turco, the Rangers and Stars may want to add a goalie with solid playoff stats.
-L