Trade Deadline Preview

Happy Valentine’s Day. With the trade deadline just two weeks away, here's a look at each team’s strategic position and the players whose names are likely to come up in trade discussions. I.e., here is some baseless conjecture I made up during a slow day at work. I apologize in advance if I offend you or undermine your bargaining positions.

Sellers:

Winter Claassics: Have already shifted to a younger, faster roster. May be looking to unload Patrick Marleu - 41 points; 32 years old. RJ Umberger, Matt Cullen and Ryan Smyth are also legitimate secondary scorers and I think Claassen would part with them for the right price.

Manitoba Roos:  This may be the time to let go of red-hot Mikael Samuelsson (12 points this month, more than any other skater), if the Roos can get a better injured player or a prospect and a pick in return. Teams may also have their eyes on Kimmo Timonen and Radim Vrbata.

Preydators : The Preydators have a great defensive core, so they may be looking to move Leopold (32 points). You can't keep four defencemen. Well, technically you can, but I wouldn’t. Actually with those forwards I might.

Dicklas Lidstroms: Mike “I have 47 points?” Ribeiro recently asked to be traded to a contender.

K-blat: Goaltending prevented this otherwise competitive team from really competing. Fungible assets include Morrow, Kaberle.

Moilers:. The Moilers may attempt to unload Ruutu (43 points), or Andy McDonald (21 points in 30 games). But don't hold your breath. This GM is "attached to her little guys" and reluctant to consider trades, even very reasonable ones that would have kept the Micahleks alive.

Milan Michaleks: I spoke with the Michaleks' GM and he says he'd entertain reasonable and unreasonable offers for pretty much everyone on his roster. He used the phrase “yard sale” repeatedly. Doughty and Edler are the only untouchables.

G-Phil's Flyers: Just sold Lidstrom (and got Malkin - not bad, I guess). Still may be looking to move Vokoun, even Datsyuk for the right price – but that price could be high, given G-Phil has no pressing needs to address and is already reporting record season ticket sales for next year (top line: Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk).

Could go either way:

Powder Rangers: GM Regehr’s rebuild plan and some shrewd trades are already paying off (see Okposo, Kiprusoff and Evander Kane). Rumour has it GM Regehr doesn't get along with Alex Tanguay (42 points but “strained neck”) and would probably part with him for some help next year on defence.

Mackhawks: Having just lost the free agent sweepstakes for Grabner, this team needs a bold move to get back in the race. If they decide to wait, they’ll be looking for blue line help for next year and rumuor has it Phil Kessel has asked for a trade.

Buyers (and holders):

Wittmen: Strong goaltending from Niemi has made Jimmy Howard superfluous. That trade, which also involved Kesler for Spezza, now looks like the turning point in the season. Barring injuries before the 28^th, the Wittmen have no needs to address. I’ve spoken with their GM – he is very confident in his team.

Teeyotes: Almost traded away Hiller but should be glad they didn’t. Just acquired Filppula and Lidstrom to fill the void of Malkin, but Filppula hasn’t been cleared to skate yet (knee), so the Teeyotes might be looking for another scoring forward. Might also want a depth forward for insurance – look at the bottom of his roster. Has depth on defence for a team looking to add a vet for next year - Zidlicky or Streit.

Krugars: With no injuries at present, and not having made any moves this year,  this team has its sights set on J-Kruising to a peer-shaming victory.* There are some attractive assets in the non-scoring roster too – e.g., Kulikov and Gagne.

Schizzarks: The Schizzarks continue to ride Carey Price, but are now getting contributions from the whole roster. Again, no key injuries in the SR, but some tempting injured assets off the SR in proven Devil Parise and unproven Devil Taormina.

Fylanders: No key injuries to scoring roster, good depth coming from bottom end with Hossa and Lecavalier about to break into the SR. May want to upgrade in goal (will Fleury win a lot with Malkin and Crosby out?), or at the high slots currently occupied by Knuble and Brown.

*full credit to Greg for the J-Kruising joke.