Putting something down on paper prior to the NHL trade deadline is – for the writer/prognosticator – akin to running in front of the thresher. Basically, you’re praying for a peaceful, quiet 24 hours afterwards so that everything you scripted doesn’t get sucked in and becomes dated or obsolete.
It can be kind of a nightmarish process.
But what the hell – here we go.
(For the record, this was written first thing Wednesday morning. So there).
Friday at 3 pm ET this year’s deadline hits and goes.
In preparation we’ll dip into Eastern Canada’s Big 3 (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa) – their needs and wants.
OTTAWA SENATORS
For the first time in years, Ottawa comes into March clearly as a buyer as opposed to a seller. The Senators, as of this writing, sit just a point back of the suddenly foundering Detroit Red Wings for the last wild-card spot . . . and two points behind Columbus. All three have 22 games remaining.
All thoughts of qualifying divisionally fell apart in the past two weeks with Tampa, Florida and Toronto pulling well ahead of the pack.
So then, it’s down to one of two spots.
The Senators are in tight, in more ways than one.
GM Steve Staios might want to pull off a deal or two but is hamstrung by budget and personnel issues. His cap room is minimal and like the Leafs (who we will get to shortly) would have to swap players out for players in.
That’s if Staios has inclinations of doing anything significant.
The expectation is that Ottawa will tinker as opposed to grand slamming it.
Needs?
You can never have enough defence and with a recent injury to Tyler Kleven, the Senators get thinner on the blueline. Nikolas Mantinpalo has emerged as an option for a No. 5 or 6 defender. That helps.
Still, a depth addition would be welcome.
In goal it’s kind of ‘you-go-home-with-who-you-brung-to-the-dance.’ In other words, the eggs are in the basket of Linus Ullmark who, quite frankly, has been a disappointment.
Up front it’s been well discussed that the Senators are simply too slow and lack finish. Of the Eastern Conference players, only Boston and the Islanders score less than Ottawa. And please note that both Boston and the Islanders are also not currently in the playoff photo.
Does Ottawa fly home after tonight’s game in Chicago with Ryan Donato in tow? The Blackhawks’ leading goal scorer (22) would be a smart addition but it’s not like GM Kyle Davidson’s going to be handing him over for a sack of beans. The thought is Donato’s stock keeps rising by the hour.
Tick-tick Ottawa. You’re on the clock.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Le Bleu, Blanc et Rouge.
It’s been a colourful season for Ottawa’s neighbour to the east.
And how.
Montreal fans’ mood is best described by the classic Godfather 3 line: “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”
In and out. Out and in. It’s the only way to describe the team’s playoff hopes. Montreal creeps close, then falls back . . . then creeps back in.
We’ll see where this trend heads in the final foray. As of Wednesday morning, Montreal is tied with Ottawa in points but has played one more game.
The Habs are also on a five-game winning bender and seemingly mind-calming pharmaceuticals are selling like poutines in La Belle Province. It’s been a fractious ride.
The thinking though is pretty steady and clear – Montreal is still in modest rebuild mode. That indicates that the Braintrust running the show might make a move before Friday’s deadline, but if it does, it’ll be modest.
Cole Caufield (30 goals) and Nick Suzuki (65 points) continue to grow. This year’s hotshot rookie, Lane Hutson, continues to wow. The signing this week of Jake Evans to a new deal has this team in particularly good shape as we look ahead.
Where GM Kent Hughes is likely to move (if he does much) is on his pending UFAs. Stalwart David Savard, Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia could fetch picks. Savard’s the most enticing for clubs looking for decent blueline help.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
The post-season’s never in doubt. What happens when they get there is always the question for Mitchell Marner, John Tavares, Morgan Rielly and the oft-injured Auston Matthews.
The Leafs (like everyone else) could use another body or two on defence. The Leafs also could use a quality third-line centre.
But like Ottawa, Toronto is pretty much maxed out financially. To move someone of consequence in would require moving players out. For Toronto, the salary cap can never go up fast enough. ‘Tis the way of things down Highway 401.
Discussion on bringing in Brayden Schenn seems to have cooled. He’s costly, aging and St. Louis is knocking on the playoff door.
Scott Laughton from Philly and Brock Nelson from the Islanders have also been discussed, but at what cost?
The Leafs will try to keep up with the Joneses in the east because the conference is pretty wide open. Florida, though, slipped ahead of the pack earlier this week acquiring (you got it!) Seth Jones from Chicago. A rejuvenated Jones joining the Cup champs is another example of GM Bill Zito’s magic wand doing its thing.
The Leafs will be intriguing to watch here. The centre of the hockey universe expects activity, and the club usually delivers.
OTTAWA SENATORS WEEK AHEAD:
Wednesday, March 5: Ottawa at Chicago (7:30 pm)
Saturday, March 8: Ny Rangers at Ottawa (12:30 pm)
Monday, March 10: Detroit at Ottawa (7:30 pm)
Tuesday, March 11: Ottawa at Philadelphia (7 pm)
thegrossgame@yahoo.com
