Lots of articles popping up about whom the buyers and sellers will be this deadline as they always do. Here are a few:
Canada.com
BUYERS
* Columbus - Here's a franchise-first: the Jackets are on this side of the trade-deadline fence. How far they get towards, and into, the playoffs depends on Scott Howson's ability to land a front-line centre. Nik Antropov, Tim Connolly and Brendan Morrison are being discussed. We don't quite hear the earth shaking with this news.
CBC Sports
Trade Temperature
Columbus Blue Jackets: Warm
The Blue Jackets have been looking for a top-flight centre but don't want to take on a significant contract in the process. It's unlikely such a player exists in the NHL. Columbus is on the precipice of its first ever playoff berth and is finally drafting wisely, so it's in a position to add a veteran or two.
The Sporting News
BUYERS
Columbus Blue Jackets: Buyers
Again, the Jackets might be more in the rental market and won’t go wild for big-salary talent. But they need a playmaker to go with Rick Nash and help for a lefty-heavy defense. Their priority is a center, because it would bump guys down the depth chart into more natural positions.
CNNSI
Trades that make sense
Buffalo sends Tim Connolly to Columbus for Rostislav Klesla and a third-rounder
The time is now for the Jackets to make the playoffs, but their chances of holding on to a spot diminish daily with Manny Malhotra and Jason Williams as their top two centers. Connolly is a legitimate top-six forward whose passing skills seem tailor-made to take advantage of a finisher like Rick Nash. He's a UFA after this season, but the chance to play a spotlight role alongside Nash might make C-Bus an appealing long-term destination. Klesla can't match Connolly's impact, but he gives the Sabres a reliable minutes-muncher who is signed through next season at a reasonable $1.6 million.
I don't see any need for the Jackets to toss in a draft pick in that deal. Klesla for Connolly makes some sense. I could also see the Jackets 2nd round pick for Connolly.
This may also be a reason why they are giving Aaron Rome a nice hard look right now... to see how expendable Klesla may be.
Also both the Crunch and the men's hockey Buckeyes won last night.
The Crunch ripped off 6 goals to beat the Grand Rapids by a goal. Clitsome, Holden, Picard, MacDonald, Frischmon & McGuirk with goals. Nikita Filatov did not play due to a sinus infection (boy this kid's had a rough go of it lately with his health).
#15 Ohio State knocked off #8 Miami by a final score of 6-2. The win keeps their Frozen Four tournament hopes alive and was the first time they've won since March 4th, 2005 (hat tip to Angelo Serra for the assist on that one).
The two teams meet again tonight for "senior night" at Value City Arena.
-LTL
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Buyers and Sellers
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4 comments:
A Bill Guerin trade is imminent, although it's to an Eastern Conference team - FYI.
LTL: Any insights on a potential deal of Connolly and Maxim Afinogenov for Klesla? A potential bigger risk for the CBJ than what appears on the surface (Connolly's concussion issues and Afinogenov's underachieving ways - is he any relation to a certain former CBJ enigma? I won't name names, but, I think his last name begins with a Z).
Hitch Rules, there's no way we could get Connolly AND Afinogenov for Rusty. Besides, I really don't think Afinogenov is the type of player we're looking for. I think he and Hitchcock would clash, and it would be destructive to the team chemistry. With Howson in Ottawa, it would appear as if he's going for a player on one of these two teams.
I think we would likely have to throw some sort of draft pick in, but my sense is that Buffalo is not anxious to keep Afinogenov. For that very reason, I concur with Max that he is not the type of player Howson would put lots of stock in.
How about these three deals:
Connolly for Klesla
Kubina for 2nd Round pick
Staal for Leclaire
Whaddya think?
--JAL
A Shot From The Point
Max: I agree on Afinogenov's off ice "issues" - but, from what I've been hearing, the Sabres would throw him in the deal, to get over (pull the wool over Howson's eyes - keep dreaming). No, he's not at all a Hitch guy. Porty said it best when he called him Maxim (Minimum) Afinogenov.
JAL: If I had any input into those deals, all I can say is one word: DONE!
I've been hearing Burkey wants way more for Kubina than a 2nd round. In fact, there is some feeling they'll keep him.
I still am wary of any dealing with Burkey - I think he's trying to catch lighting in a bottle (another Beauchamin fiasco trade), twice.
Thanks to you, both! Good stuff.
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