(TRADE DEADLINE SPECIAL) Ten players; the sellers might not be able to trade

There are some teams that want to get rid of some less than desirable contracts and players. The sellers especially will become more and more desperate as the deadline goes on to get rid of some on these players to the extent they'll be willing to eat some salary.
Olli Jokinen
Lets be honest. When the Leafs obtained Olli Jokinen a few weeks back; neither the team nor player was thrilled. If it is 2:50 pm and the vet is still a Leaf; look for the team to make it known they'll eat 50% of his salary. If not before that is when the Islanders, Blues or Canucks might bite on the trade.
Trio of Yotes
Arizona is hoping for a trade deadline miracle and hopes the buyers bite on either David Moss, BJ Crombeen and/or Martin Erat. The rebuilding Yotes have ZERO interest is keeping these three around.
Weber, Meszaros and/or Benoit
In the offsesason the Sabres brought in Meszaros and Benoit as warm bodies to get the to the salary cap floor. Just as much as the Yotes want the previous three; the chances of the two vets coming back next year is the same of them resigning Zenon Konopka.... just not gonna happen. Buffalo will take any draft pick for the turnover machine Mike Weber. He would be a perfect #7 de-man; only problem his cap hit is 1.666 million.
Flyers beyond desperate
The Flyers have some bad contracts on some aging veterans. Earlier Sunday they were hoping teams like Edmonton would bite on a package of Braydon Coburn & Vincent Lecavalier. The lowly Oilers even said no thank you. I would venture to guess that at this time they'd offer to eat 50% of the following contracts; Lecavalier (3 yrs left @4.5 million), Andrew Macdonald (5 yrs 5 million), Luke Schenn (1 yr @3.6 million) or RJ Umberger (2 yrs @4.6 million). Why do they need to free salary you ask? Team superstar Jakub Voracek is a UFA at the end of next season and would be looking at 7 million+ compared to him 4.1 salary currently.

A few teams are done, Caps still to tinker?

We're 6 hours before the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline. Some teams have made their moves; buyers have bought inching themselves closer to contention; while the sellers have sold some but not all assets as of yet.
Consider two teams done
Barring a minor league depth move two teams are likely considered done. The New York Rangers made a trio of trades Sunday; obtaining Keith Yandle, Chris Summers James Sheppard while moving out John Moore and Lee Stempniak. Now considered one of the top teams in the East; the Rangers are deep in every position.
The other team very likely done is the Winnpeg Jets. I challenged the teams general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff a few weeks back and he's passed with flying colors http://corbyshockeycentral.blogspot.ca/2015/02/will-chevy-make-moves-this-year-around.html. In a matter of weeks the Jets have added the much needed depth up front; adding Drew Stafford, Jiri Tlusty and Stempniak. a large upgrade compared to Galiardi and Peluso.
Not going to do much
A few times have done their shopping already; and might make a few minor moves at best. Consider Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, Nashville and Chicago in that boat. Those teams are up against the cap or at or near their set budget.
Are Caps done; thinking about tinkering
The Caps might be content but know themselves their not the favorite to win the East. They have two veteran forwards they might consider moving due to their lack of consistency. Both Jason Chimera and Brooks Laich have been on the fourth line lately; and were bumped further down the depth cart after they acquired Curtis Glencross. If the price was right both in acquiring/salary they'd like to add a top six forward and one who could play with Ovi & Backstrom. For them to get that player; Chimera or Laich would need to move on.

(TRADE DEADLINE SPECIAL) JVR to Boston; are the Blues for real; Flyers-Lightning deal

--- All of the obvious sellers (Coyotes, Sabres, Oilers and Leafs) might be intrigued by Blues hold out Vladmair Sobotka; who signed a free agent contract in KHL last year.
--- The Leafs can retain one more salary if they wish. If they do not do so with Lupul or Phaneuf look for team to voluntarily do so with Olli Jokinen at the last minute.
--- The Bruins are seeking a power forward winger, but have not done so as of yet. I think the B's might turn to JVR of the Leafs. A very economical 4.25 cap hit. Would they move a 1rst rounder + Niklas Svedberg to do it though?
--- Lots of "experts" still like the St. Louis Blues to come out of the West. Two reasons I feel the opposite; 1> ZERO Stanley Cup rings on the team (players not coaches) no proven winners that suite up every night; and say what you want that means allot. 2> Their goaltending is good but no one can say it's great.
--- I woke up this morning at 5:13 am. To my shock that the Flyers grabbed Radko Gudas a 1rst  & 3rd rounder for Braydon Coburn.... Wow not to sure what Lightning are thinking; I love and I mean love Gudas. All I can say is this; if Sidney Crosby had nightmares before it will get allot worse now. Coburn in my honest opinion is a #3-4 defenseman; not an impact d-man last time I checked.

(Trade deadline Special) Blues, Caps, Flyers have salary that can be moved.

                There are plenty of teams that would love to make all sorts of moves at this year’s trade deadline.  The majority of which just don’t have the cap space to get that impact player they want and/or need. There are some players on those teams that are not 100% unmovable.

Blues & Berglund

                The Blues have thrown Patrick Berglund’s name out as far as being available. The big 6’3 Swede has slowed down over the years from a offensive standpoint. For five straight years he’s gone down in goals (22,19,17,14 and 7) he does have 2 years remaining at 3.7 million. The upside if anything is he’s only 26 years old.

                Call it a hunch, but I suspect a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs would take that type of a contract on. Assuming the Blues would be interested in a Joffrey Lupul; and if the Leafs were willing to eat 500k of the salary; for Berglund and a 2^nd rounder; that would be a fair move. Blues add more depth on wing; get rid of a heavy contract the Leafs get younger and get bigger up the middle.

                Other sellers who might be intrigued by Berglund would be Arizona. Yotes general manager Don Maloney made it clear he wasn't closing the door on taking term back in a trade.  Edmonton would be crazy not to look at Berglund, might we see a Berglund straight up for Jeff Petry?

Jason Chimera?

                There are lots of reports of the Capitals going hard after Flames Curtis Glencross. One might assume that veteran Jason Chimera would be in the trade or be moved elsewhere. Glencross and Chimera are very similar, with the Flame winger being younger and having more offensive upside. Lately Chimera has been in/out of the lineup, which indicates that he has become expendable and he has 1 year left at 2 million (decent cap hit).

Flyers & 2 blue liners

                With the recent re-signing of Nick Schultz by the Flyers it added some questions about cap space and where other blueliners fit in. At this point it’s safe to assume the Flyers regret the five year 5 million dollar contract given to Andrew MacDonald. He’s clearly in the dog house of coach Craig Berbue; to the point where he’s often been a healthy scratch in the month of February. If the Flyers GM Ron Hextall called the Isles GM Garth Snow and said (we’ll give you Macdonald and eat 50% of his salary); the Islanders would give it some consideration.

                Other re-guards the Flyers might move is Niklas Grossman, the big nasty defenseman has one year remaining at 3.5 million; but has been often injured. That would be plan B with Macdonald being plan A. 

(Trade deadline special) Will first rounders be moved at the deadline?

                A report surfaced last week saying there was not any 1rst rounder’s available at this year’s trade deadline day? If that were to be the case it would be for a few reasons.

1>     Some sellers are playing a game of chicken with the sellers in hopes prices will drop. As an example; Habs played chicken with Isles last year at the deadline; Garth Snow blinked with 15-20 mins left and the Habs got Vanek got cheap (marginal prospect + 2^nd rounder). The sellers know for a fact Chris Stewart, Jeff Petry and Andrej Sekara will be traded; they hope like them, no other team’s steps up and pays the price.

2>     Serious contenders in both East/West sometimes don’t react until one of the teams neck and neck with them makes a bold move, forcing them to react themselves.  If the Isles acquire Lupul and Polak from the Leafs; (at the deadline) within minutes the Pens, Rangers, Capitals might become more desperate where a prospect or draft pick not available before all of a sudden is included.

3>     The 3^rd reasons first rounders has not been made available some of the rentals are just quite clearly not worth it. Petry, Zdynek Michalek, and Marek Zidlicky are not difference makers so they at no time are worth the cost.

Need to know

                At this time Pittsburgh, Nashville, Islanders, Rangers and Blues DO NOT have a 1rst rounder for this year’s draft. Teams likely if any to move a first rounder would be Tampa Bay (have 2), Anaheim and Capitals .

Leafs wanting to recover picks willing to eat salary

                A few things Leafs Nation need to know going into next Monday's trade deadline. They are looking to get one or more 2nd round picks. Why? Because they currently have no 2nd round picks in the upcoming draft.

                The Leafs can retain two more contracts between now and June 30. On July 1 that goes up to three contracts (Carl Gunnarsson off the books). If they had a choice they'd like to moved David Clarkson and retain some of his salary (maybe as much as 2 million per year. But we all know the chances of that are slim to none. Another option is if there are no takers for Jokinen the Leafs can eat some salary to lessen the blow (as he like Gunnarsson is a UFA at year’s end)

                Dave Nonis might do the “Brian Burke” next Monday. He might take on a bad expiring contract and get a prospect/pick back with that contract. In other words do another Cody Franson/Matthew Lombardi trade of a few years ago.

(Trade deadline special) Five prospects the sellers might want from buyers

              We’re inching closer and closer to the NHL trade deadline; as more games are played it’s becoming very clear of who will buying and who will become sellers. What we’re going to do is go over some prospects who could be moved in some of these buyers/seller trades. That being said we’re not going to discuss the top prospect of these teams who have no chance of being traded. The following prospects are close to being NHL ready and could be had by sellers.

Anaheim Ducks

                It’s no secret the Ducks the richest prospect pool in the NHL. I still am amazed that Anaheim did not give that much up for Ryan Kesler; meaning a top prospect being Etem, Smith-Pelly, Vatanen, Lindholm, Gibson, Ritchie, Rakell, Theodore or Silfverberg.

                Now according to the NHL’s top insiders, the Ducks were looking to upgrade before Beleskey & Vatanen got injured for the month; now they are in full force for upgrades.  How long can they go with not including any of those top prospects. The other issue; they have limited draft picks for the 2015 draft. They have their 1^st & 2^nd rounder, they also have the Oilers & Canucks 3^rd rounders & their 6^th round pick.

                That is where a  Josh Manson might come into the equation. The sixth round pick from 2011, is not quite as nasty as his dad Dave but he is close.  He has shown allot of poise for being thrown into the fire earlier this season. In his 2^nd pro season the 23-year-old in close to being NHL ready; his projection would be a 4-6 defenseman. Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau if a fan of this rookie; but unless the Ducks part with one of their prime assets; Manson might be sacrificed.

Calgary Flames

                Like the Ducks; there is no chance the Flames will sacrifice any of their top prospects or picks to get better at the deadline. Future Flames like Mark Jankowski, Michael Ferland, Emile Poirier, Morgan Klimchuk, Markus Granlund, Josh Jooris, Tyler Wotherspoon plus others are absolute non starters. The two guys I would be after that the Flames might be more opened minded about would be forward David Wolf & defenseman Keegan Kanzig.

                Kanzig could be an absolute beast. At 6’7, 241 pounds he is not a gentle giant and he is no dummy or a goon. “We thought he understood the game very well and that he had high character, high intangibles,” said Tod Button the Flames director of amateur scouting.

                Wolf a German native; was signed from the Hamburg Freezers in the German league. He is not your typical European; Wolf is a big nasty burly forward at 6’3 216 pounder who is not afraid to scrap. He could very easily develop into a 3^rd line banger and crasher.

LA Kings

                Get ready for some rolling eyes; but if I were doing business at the deadline with the Kings on a depth move. Meaning trading the Kings a 5-6 de-man or a 3^rd line forward; the King asset I’d want back is Oscar Moller. The former first rounder should have never played with in LA this early in his career. He has spent 3 years in Sweden, and this year in the KHL; but there is no doubt he’d be an ok player in the NHL: maybe even a 2^nd liner with time. He would be a reasonable cap hit; of no more than 1.2 million per season.

                The Kings also have some draft picks that might be obtained in a deadline deal. The Kings have their first rounder with (2) 2^nd rounders with the rest of their picks as well.

 Winnipeg Jets

       The Jets have come to the realization that to them Alexander Burmistrov is useless. Next to Evander Kane he'd be the next player not welcome to come back to Winnipeg. With the Jets never so close to the playoffs; it is time to move this asset and make something out of it. Look for the Sabres, Devils or Coyotes to be most intrigued by him, especially if he'd commit to the NHL ahead of time. The other option in a deal would be a conditional pick in case the Russian stays in the KHL.