Which blueliner will be moved first?

    All we keep hearing about is how Roberto Luongo is to be dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs as soon as the NHL CBA is ratified. They say that Tyler Bozak is a certainty to be a part of the package, but who else could included? I would suggest Cody Franson (a local BC product), possibly Joe Colbourne or Carter Ashton.... the Leafs might pony up Nazem Kadri if they feel desperate enough to make the deal. But yesterday on Sportsnet Hockey Central, Dave Nonis said the only way he’d trade a Jake Gardiner is if he got a young top level prospect back in return.

First of two trade deadlines?

    One hockey expert expects Saturday January 12th to be a “trade deadline type day” in regards to how many moved will be made. Now that the salary cap floor is 44 million, will some of the lower budget teams make moves to save some money? Allot of the higher salary teams, Penguins, Rangers & Redwings have 9-12 million in cap space.

   The key thing is the following teams like Ottawa, NY Islanders, are in desperate need of some defenseman, mainly anyone from a 4-7 (depth d-man). Other teams like Columbus, Carolina could use a depth de-man or two.

Four de-man to be moved?

    John Erskine is almost a certainty to be moved. Washington has 9 de-man on the roster; with 8 one-way contracts, the 9th being Dmintry Orlov. Erskine is a low cap hit @ 1.5 million, an above average penalty killer and loads of toughness to offer. Another de-man possibly up for grabs is Buffalo Sabres re-guard Adam Pardy. The Sabres have as many as 9 de-man on the roster, with Pardy being expendable making 2 million per year; too much for being #6 on the depth chart.

    If a team is looking for a top four de-man, Nicklas Hjalmarsson is always bantered about. Maybe this week will be the time; for the only fact that the Hawks need to trim down for next years $64 million cap. Despite working hard during the NHL lockout on behalf of the NHLPA, Hawks blueliner Steve Montador could be expendable. With 8 de-man on the roster, his 2.5 million salary a big on the high side.