The NHL trade deadline is less then a week away. Many rising teams will be buying, while many sinking teams will be selling. A few blockbuster moves were already made this weekend. Many more will be made on Monday, February 28th. There is no doubt in my mind that the Washington Capitals will be in the mix. The Caps are starting to play well, and are only 1 point behind the South East Division leaders, Tampa Bay Lightning. The biggest question is which direction will they move in on the 28th. Will the look for more offensive fire power and go after a second line center, or will the look to shore up their defense. The Capitals will have more than $1.4 million available under the salary cap to make moves at the deadline.
Among the prospects that are set to become unrestricted free agents at year's end is New Jersey's Jason Arnott, who has 24 points this season and 1,155 regular season games of experience, not to mention having won a Stanley Cup in 2000. Arnott has a no-trade clause in his contract. Buffalo's Tim Connolly has 25 points in 41 games but the Sabres may not look to subtract pieces given that they're still in the playoff hunt. And my personal preference, Brad Richards, who is currently concussed, but will be healthy soon, has 63 points this year, but it's believed that the Stars are resolved to keep the veteran in Dallas.
The more prominent defensemen who are set to become unrestricted free agents this season are Ottawa's Chris Phillips, Phoenix's Ed Jovanovski, and St. Louis's Eric Brewer.
GMGM did mention he will not do anything with either goalies. "No. We're sticking with these goaltenders. They're playing well and we like them a lot," McPhee said. "They've been good for us this year. We're pleased with what they've been doing. We're confident in the goaltenders; we're not making any changes there. . . . Whatever else may happen is hard to define right now."
The deadline is Monday, I will report back Tuseday on the Caps' trade action, along with other highlights from around the league. I will leave you all with this gem from last nights game
And where was CROSBY during all this? CRYing and SOBbing at home with a headache.
Lets go CAPS!
No comments:
Post a Comment