The Pacific Division is completely up for grabs and all five teams are considered buyers in this deadline market. SB Nation’s Mike Chen takes a look at what to expect from the Sharks, Ducks, Stars, Kings and Coyotes in the next week.
Anaheim Ducks At The 2011 NHL Trade Deadline: Rumors, Needs And Expectations
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Anaheim Ducks. When captain Ryan Getzlaf went out with a nasty sinus injury, all seemed lost. However, talented super-pest Corey Perry came to the rescue, along with some stellar play from Jonas Hiller, and the Ducks went from Western Conference also-rans to contenders for the Pacific Division title.
The recent move to get Francois Beauchemin addressed a desperate need for blueline depth, while gritty (and some would say dirty) Jarkko Ruutu fits the Anaheim mold. Of course, there’s always room for more, especially with Jonas Hiller’s recent battles with balance and fatigue, along with the not-so-impressive play of backup Curtis McElhinney.
Read Article >Dallas Stars At The 2011 NHL Trade Deadline: Rumors, Needs And Expectations
Every team in the Pacific Division has been up and down, but it sure seems like every team except the Dallas Stars is trending up as the playoff race heats up. The Stars had a big lead for the division crown, only to see it evaporate as they went on an ugly losing streak.
With yesterday’s move to grab Alex Goligoski for James Neal and Matt Niskanen, the Stars have tried to replace the offensive-defenseman hole that Sergei Zubov filled for many years. The move also clears potential cap space while GM Joe Nieuwendyk takes a run at keeping Brad Richards around past this summer. So that move is big-picture in many ways, leaving the immediate future open to this week’s results.
Read Article >Los Angeles Kings At The 2011 NHL Trade Deadline: Rumors, Needs And Expectations
Just like their Southern California brethren, the Kings seemed left-for-dead not too long ago. Now they’re back in the thick of things, both in the Western Conference battle and the race for the Pacific Division crown. The entire team has been streaky, with just about every player having moments of glory and disappointment.
GM Dean Lombardi is a pragmatist when it comes to contracts and cap space, and Lombardi also wants to build a tough “Canadian” style team. The role of scoring winger still hasn’t been fulfilled since the Kings lost out in the wacky Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes over the summer. With Jonathan Bernier rounding into form after playing behind Jonathan Quick all season, it might be time to move him for a top-line forward.
Read Article >Phoenix Coyotes At The 2011 NHL Trade Deadline: Rumors, Needs And Expectations
Every time we keep doubting the Phoenix Coyotes, they just continue to win – despite not having any players hitting the 20-goal mark so far. Dave Tippett’s disciplined, efficient system continues to win games, especially with Ilya Bryzgalov heating up.
The ownership situation continues to loom overhead, meaning that GM Don Maloney has to make tough, honest decisions regarding Phoenix’s large crop of upcoming UFAs. Even though Bryzgalov is part of that group, he’s probably the one UFA that’s absolutely safe from moving anywhere, especially with Phoenix currently in the lead for the oh-so-tight Pacific Division.
Read Article >San Jose Sharks At The 2011 NHL Trade Deadline: Rumors, Needs And Expectations
Prediction: With most needs met with recent acquisitions, San Jose’s only activity will probably be to shed cap space to the Eastern Conference if they can find a taker for either Huskins or Wallin.
Further Reading From Fear The Fin
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