Which NHL players are most likely to be traded? Mon, March 2, 2009
By BRUCE GARRIOCH, SUN MEDIA
Jay Bouwmeester's actions don't just speak louder than words. They speak volumes.
The big 24-year-old blueliner could have inked a long-term deal with the Panthers in the summer. Instead, Florida's first-round pick (No. 3 overall) in 2002 signed on for just one season at $4.875 million US.
The sense is Bouwmeester won't be back next season.
Slated to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, Bouwmeester will likely be one of the most sought-after players leading up to the March 4 trade deadline.
Which players do you see being traded before the deadline? Have your say in our forum.
I think Ottawa could get a good return for Spezza at the trade deadline.
He is still young and on a good team, would be valuable.
I could see a 1st round pick and a very good young player/prospect (20 years old or so).
Maybe Columbus for a first and Voracek perhaps.
gordholio, 2008-12-29 18:19:27
Right on, Gary O! Gretzky is also a free agent! Sean Avery is soon to be one as well. The point is moot however. The Sens GM, B. Murray is in a deep hole trading wise. He'll get burned whether he makes a trade or not. If he makes a trade, he'll risk losing on the deal by giving away a battleship for receiving a canoe. If he doesn't make a trade he'll risk getting the reputation as doing nothing to improve the team by keeping under-achievers. My guess is that he'll lose J. Spezza and get nothing of real value in return.
Vince in Ottawa, 2008-12-26 03:32:57
Well, maybe it's time for them to sell the Panthers if it isn't working out.
There are places in Canada that a team would work.
Really, there are too many teams and about 3 or 4 of them should be folded.
gordholio, 2008-12-23 07:19:01
Accoording to people like Brunt and McCown (who are usually in the know) Florida wou;d have trouble drawing fans at the top dollar prices even if they had a contender (which they do right now, by the way - at least insofar as a playoff spot is concerned), so they see no sense in forking over big bucks if the prospects for the future in Florida look dim.
Gary O., 2008-12-22 18:01:33
So why would people in Florida want to go see a lousy team?
Why not go into a bit of debt and spend to the cap and keep your good players to see if you can have a good team and attract more fans.
They're never going to draw fans with mediocre or poor teams.
gordholio, 2008-12-22 06:16:29
gordholio, the simple fact of the matter is, Florida cannot afford to keep thei best players when they reach the stage of big rewards. Not when you have to fill the seats with giveaways and prices normally associated with the AHL. Tampa, Atlanta, Nashville, Phoenix are all in the same boat.
In just about every case the owners are on the verge of tossing the keys on the table and walking away, something the NHL is dreading.
It's fine to say let them and reduce the teams accordingly. but if you suddenly throw 100 players onto the market = some of them very good, how do you go about dispersing them? Many of the better teams are at or very near trhe cap now (hello Rangers who couldn't find the space to take on Sundin because no one wanted the contracts they were trying to dump - Redden or Rozsival), and simply couldn't take on the top players from each folded team that would be available. And some near the bottom who might be willing to stick around are likelt uninterested in taking on any big salaries since they are likely just tredding water.
It's a sport in bigger trouble than most would believe. Nor would more than maybe one Canadian outlet be able to sell seats at the level required to take on one of the franchises. Maybe Toronto - but I doubt the Leafs would go along with that without a major squak - or Hamilton/Kitchener. But forget Quebec and Winnipeg. It just isn't feasible in their city.
Gary O., 2008-12-21 16:14:12
Everytime Florida has a good player, they go and trade him for peanuts.
Luongo, Jokinenen and now probably Bowmeister (sp?).
No wonder they stay so lousy.
gordholio, 2008-12-20 02:40:23
The time will come in a few years when players won't be getting these outrageous salaries.
They will still be overpaid, but with the economy heading into a deep recession and possible depression, things cannot continue "business as usual".
gordholio, 2008-12-19 15:52:10
Trade the entire Senators team, talk about an embarrasment,cant win a game for the life of them.Instead of growing moustaches and wearing a ridicolous jersey, learn how to play hockey
Mike in Ottawa, 2008-12-17 12:14:29
Ummm, Vince, who ecactly would be doing the "trading" of Emery? The Russian club? He's an NHL UFA.
Gary O., 2008-12-14 08:56:10
Which NHL players are most likely to be traded?
I think Ottawa could get a good return for Spezza at the trade deadline.
He is still young and on a good team, would be valuable.
I could see a 1st round pick and a very good young player/prospect (20 years old or so).
Maybe Columbus for a first and Voracek perhaps.
gordholio, 2008-12-29 18:19:27
Vince in Ottawa, 2008-12-26 03:32:57
There are places in Canada that a team would work.
Really, there are too many teams and about 3 or 4 of them should be folded.
gordholio, 2008-12-23 07:19:01
Gary O., 2008-12-22 18:01:33
Why not go into a bit of debt and spend to the cap and keep your good players to see if you can have a good team and attract more fans.
They're never going to draw fans with mediocre or poor teams.
gordholio, 2008-12-22 06:16:29
In just about every case the owners are on the verge of tossing the keys on the table and walking away, something the NHL is dreading.
It's fine to say let them and reduce the teams accordingly. but if you suddenly throw 100 players onto the market = some of them very good, how do you go about dispersing them? Many of the better teams are at or very near trhe cap now (hello Rangers who couldn't find the space to take on Sundin because no one wanted the contracts they were trying to dump - Redden or Rozsival), and simply couldn't take on the top players from each folded team that would be available. And some near the bottom who might be willing to stick around are likelt uninterested in taking on any big salaries since they are likely just tredding water.
It's a sport in bigger trouble than most would believe. Nor would more than maybe one Canadian outlet be able to sell seats at the level required to take on one of the franchises. Maybe Toronto - but I doubt the Leafs would go along with that without a major squak - or Hamilton/Kitchener. But forget Quebec and Winnipeg. It just isn't feasible in their city.
Gary O., 2008-12-21 16:14:12
Luongo, Jokinenen and now probably Bowmeister (sp?).
No wonder they stay so lousy.
gordholio, 2008-12-20 02:40:23
They will still be overpaid, but with the economy heading into a deep recession and possible depression, things cannot continue "business as usual".
gordholio, 2008-12-19 15:52:10
Mike in Ottawa, 2008-12-17 12:14:29
Gary O., 2008-12-14 08:56:10