Trade Deadline Speculation

I don’t see anything major happening. Our team is filled with players of the following categories:

1) Underachievers in relation to contract- Gomez, Gionta, Kaberle and Markov. Mostly this is due to injuries, with the exception of Gomez and Kaberle. Gomez, however, still contributes to our team, just not on a level on par with the cap hit. No one is going to want to touch any 3 of these, and I doubt we’d trade our injured captain. Kaberle will probably stay, simply because no one will offer anywhere near full market value for him, due to the financial commitment of 2 more seasons on his contract.

2) Untouchables- Plekanec, Eller, Cole, Pacioretty, Emelin, Leblanc, Gorges, Price, Subban. Want to make your team improve? Trade away the rock solid foundations. None of these guys are going anywhere, Unless somebody makes an offer we can’t refuse, or PG has a major cranial malfunction.

3) Marginal Players- Moen, Palushaj, Campoli, White, Nokelainen, Blunden. One or two of these guys might go, but the return will be minimal. Personally, I’d prefer to not lose Moen or White, and Nokia might be serviceable as a solid 4th line centre. However, you’re never going to get much.

Which leaves….

Deharnais- He’s quickly played himself closer to the untouchables category. People might question how he performs against tough competition, but do you want to screw with the chemistry he’s developed with Patches and Cole? Furthermore, he’s got the look of a player who’s game improved consistently throughout the season. Not going anywhere.

Bourque- You won’t get anywhere near fair market value for him, and it would make the front office look like idiots for trading for him to begin with. An ‘enigma’ player, who has had his effort level questioned, but has proven himself a strong 2nd line winger with Calgary in the past. Not going anywhere.

AK 46- Apparently everyone in the Montreal media is waiting on baited breath for this trade, but I don’t see it. His basic numbers would diminish his trade value, while his advanced stats don’t look as polished, as he’s always put out on the ice as a counter to other teams’ strong lines. So why should we trade him? Because he doesn’t score enough goals from the 4th line? He may go regardless, and we will probably regret it unless Gauthier gets a strong player or high pick in return.

Diaz- At every trade deadline, there is the inevitable trade for a ‘puck-moving defenseman’. There’s an outside shot someone will give PG a good offer for Diaz, but it would have to be very good to pry him away, when Campoli is the obvious guy to go, being higher paid and the more veteran of the two.

Darche- He’s played much better of late, but I don’t see teams clamouring at the door for him. He’s got a solid touch, and he plays hard defensively, but he’s also rather slow. Maybe a 3rd/4th line winger for a contender, and I don’t see us fetching much for that.

Taking all this into account, I don’t see us being nearly as busy as predicted. We had a poor start to the season, and also a slew of injuries. We don’t really know how good this team can be, and without a permanent head coach/GM combo, I don’t see anyone wanting to make major moves. There’s too many pieces an incoming GM/coach would likely see as valuable to getting the team back on track, and too few players who could realistically fetch much on the open market.