Late Trades

[marrella]

Yet another change I think the NHL should make (assuming there IS an NHL in the future) ... move back the trade deadline. I recognize the fact this is an unusual year due to the probable lock out, but being allowed to trade so late in the season is absurd. I haven't reviewed all of the trades, but weren't there five trades involving Vancouver today? And another Ray Bourque type trade ... this one of Ronnie Francis.

Personally, I think it pretty much stinks that the fans of non-contending teams have to watch their larders being raided at the end of the season. While we Canes didn't lose much (since this was probably Francis' last season with us anyway), other teams have been totally depleted. Probably the only team to actually be strengthened by all of its losses is the Rangers!

[DanCan]

there is no doubt that this season is very special. The teams that cannot expect to make the playoffs need to dump as much salaries as they can anticipating the layoff in Fall. They only protect their young stars who are not expensive anyway (a young star like Kovalchuk gets less than 1.5 mio a year).

In my view, the late trading deadline is in normal times mutual beneficial for the the teams making transactions. On the one side we have the short sighted teams that trade with a view to strengthen their rosters for the playoff. One the other side we have the teams, out of the playoff, which trade with a view to strengthen their rosters for the next season and the future. If this kind of dealing works like it ought to work, then the playoff teams are strengthened in the short term while the teams out of the playoffs will be strengthened for the next season. In this way, the mechanism should help to insure that the NHL remains competitive -- that the power balance in the NHL does not get more skewed than it already is. The drafting rules serve the same purpose in a more formal manner.

The question is whether the mechanism has ceased to function in this particular and special season. It seems that some GM's have been more interested in dumping salaries than strengthing their teams for the future. Some teams, like Washington and Pittsburgh, have almost been depleted for star players, without getting much in return. But that is probably also true for a number of teams which have made fewer trades -- Columbus for instance: what's the point of trading an established NHL player like Geoff Sanderson for a 3rd round pick in 2004?

Well, just food for thought

[DanCan]

P.S.it could be interesting to hear the experts assessments of some of the more doubtful trades. I have here turned to forecaster.ca which is one of the best NHL hockey sites on the net:

1. case: The Vancouver Canucks acquired left-winger Geoff Sanderson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2004.

What does it give the Vancouver Canucks?
Sanderson has outstanding speed and a lethal shot, but he's a very streaky who teases all with his ability only to disappear for lengthy stretches, as he has this year. However, the Canucks need an offensive winger to spread out the scoring, especially now that Todd Bertuzzi is facing a stiff suspension.

What does it give the Columbus Blue Jackets?

With Columbus headed for the draft lottery, Columbus sheds a little cash and opens a slot for a prospect to play out the season.

Short Term Analysis
The Canucks could hit a homerun if Sanderson rediscovers his scoring touch. Just don't bet the farm on it.

Long Term Analysis
Sanderson has never lasted with any club long enough to have a long term impact.


Hmmm...I believe that forecaster.ca's analysis supports my assessment. What in fact did Columbus get out of this thread except from dumping salaries? However, forecaster also notes that acquiring Geoff Sanderson is not a one-way bet

2. case: NY Islanders acquired defenseman Alexander Karpovtsev from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2004.

What does it give the New York Islanders?

Karpovtsev will take some pressure off of New York's top four D, who log big minutes on a nightly basis. He's an experienced, complete blueliner, however the Russian has a lengthy history of injuries.

What does it give the Chicago Blackhawks?

Not only was Karpovstev drawing a big salary, he was also a favorite of former GM Mike Smith, factors which no doubt led to his demise in the Windy City.

Short Term Analysis
The inconsistent Isles get a rental player for a potential post-season run.

Long Term Analysis
The Blackhawks cut yet another tie from a forgettable era in the team's history.

Same conclusion: dumping salaries, but in this case forecaster also points to ideosyncratic factors -- Karpovtsev's more positive relations to the former GM

[DanCan]

3. case: The Buffalo Sabres acquired right-winger Mike Grier from the Washington Capitals in exchange for center Jakub Klepis.
Mike Grier

What does it give the Buffalo Sabres?
The Sabres are a tad soft up front, and Grier is a player who can win physical battles in the trenches and get the puck to pint-sized finishers such as Daniel Briere and rookie Derek Roy. Ironically, Buffalo acquired Klepis last season from the Ottawa Senators for gritty forward Vaclav Varada.

What does it give the Washington Capitals?
Klepis is a former first-rounder who projects as a decent playmaker in the NHL. The 6-foot-1 pivot is currently playing in the Czech elite league, and may need another season there before testing the NHL waters.

Short Term Analysis
Buffalo gets the warrior-type player lacking from their playoff drive without sacrificing a player off the roster. Washington clears yet another contract off the books.

Long Term Analysis
Grier will never set the scoresheet on fire, but he's affordable and could provide the Sabres with a physical presence for the next few seasons. While it may be disconcerting to see a prospect dealt twice, at least Klepis adds depth for the rebuilding Caps.

Conclusion: A traditional trade. in the short term, the trade heavily favors Buffalo, but down the road the trade will be more beneficial to the Caps

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired center Ron Francis from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2005.

What does it give the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Francis is a stellar captain, an awesome playmaker, solid two-way pivot and another aging veteran for the Leafs roster. He'll probably play a third-line role in Toronto, possibly lining up against opponents' top center. His presence is invaluable to any team.

What does it give the Carolina Hurricanes?
A decent draft pick in a potentially deep draft, as well as a changing of the guard in Carolina. The No. 1 center job now belongs to Eric Staal, who has been Francis's protege in his rookie NHL campaign this season.
Short Term Analysis
Francis could be the missing ingredient for Toronto's Stanley Cup hopes. Another major impact player goes to Toronto. A big advantage to the Leafs early on.

Long Term Analysis
Francis may play one more season beyond 2003-04 but this deal will eventually wind up in Carolina's favor. Now, the club has to find a captain to come close to Francis in the stature department.

Conclusion: A more traditional trade than at first glance. Forecaster notes that the 2005 draft is expected to be particular deep. So in the longer run "this deal will eventually wind up in Carolina's favor". As it should, we might add

This short analysis already leaves a mixed picture. GM's have different motives for trading players. Dumping salaries is always one motive in professional sports, but I think it's safe to say that we have not seen it on this scale for a very long time, if ever?

[Jd]

The Canucks also acquired Rucinsky.. and Bertuzzi might be back for the playoffs, if not 1st round than probably 2nd. It depends if they go by the injury itself or the action. If it's the action it should be a Matt Johnson type of suspension of 12 games. The injury might influence it in this case though. Having said that Brashear wasn't severely injured and McSorley received a long term suspension. So they went completely by the action and not injury there.

[marrella]

I don't think the late trading deadline has really helped the out of contention teams at all other than to free up salary. Again, I'm not talking about the Canes because we didn't lose very many players and our woes this year were weird ... outplay and outshoot but can't put the puck in the net.

If an out of contention team constantly loses it's star power to playoff teams, that team constantly winds up out of contention. The only way it works is if a team like the Pens or the Caps can survive another 3-5 years as while their young, cheap talent develops. But if the fan base starts disappearing (as it already has for the poor Pens), then you have no $$$ and face a real possibility of losing the team forever.

The NHL is one very screwed up organization ... but I also have a lot of criticism for the NHLPA as well.

[DanCan]

The funny thing is that Pens is on a redhot streak at a point in time where we should least expect it:

First Pens won big in MSG (8-4), then they not only snapped Stars long win streak (can't remember how many games Dallas had won in a row, was it 7 or 9?), Dallas was even shutout, and last night they beat Leafs in Toronto 3-2. What is happening?