NHL Storylines

The sixth installment looking at the "Circle The Date" landmarks laid out in my NHL Predictions.

With the trade deadline looming this Monday, several teams have tough decisions to make. The moves teams make now will not only dictate their short-term future but will have an impact for seasons to come. Sometimes the best move is no move at all. Other times it is imperative a team embraces the reality of their shortcomings and starts planning for the future by making moves NOW!

Ottawa - Feb 3 vs New York Islanders - After playing 9 of 10 on the road, the Senators fate will probably be sealed. Check the roster and see how many players remain or are headed out of town.


The surprise team of the season appears to have a playoff spot locked up. Originally I would have expected this team to be a seller and continue the rebuild. Instead, they could add a piece or two. They must be very careful though. This is not a team ready to compete for The Cup. No need to break from the plan and give up and prospects. My advice is to stand pat. The only exception might be to obtain a goalie to make up for the injury suffered by Anderson.

Detroit - FEb 8 Edmonton - No, it isn't the opponent. At this point the Wings will have finished a brutal stretch of 21 of 31 on the road (WTF!). Their record at this time should be a good indicator of whether they can win the division, conference or the Cup. It's also a time the Wings start looking for a deal if they don't quite measure up.


The Wings came out of that brutal road stretch at or near the top of the division, conferene and league thanks to improved defense, strong goaltending and excellent depth. From their things only got better as they continued to pile up wins at home winning 24 in a row. With plenty of more home games to go and tougher stretch for the main pursuers, the Wings are in terrific position to get one of the top two spots. Only Vancouver and St. Louis stand in their way. The Wings made another shrewd move to acquire more defensive depth (Quincy) and now have the best group in the league again. With plenty of salary cap space available, they might not be done. They could stand pat and still be a threat. Add another gritty or skilled forward would scare the crap out of other teams.

MIN Feb 9 vs Vancouver - Back from a long stretch of road games (14 of 20) to play division rival. Are they still in the race?

How the Wild have a tumbled. Once a near lock to make the playoffs, they are now in a position where they'll have to win a majority of their games to have a shot at the #8 seed. The smart move is to start moving players for future assets because even if they make the playoffs, they won't be their long. By finally moving Zidiliky maybe they are embracing that mentaility.

PHX Feb 13 vs Vancouver a brutal homestand against some of the best the NHL has to offer has ended. Has the Coyotes brief rise already ended?

There is good news in the desert. After spending most of the season trying to gain some consistency, the Coyotes have gone a 9-0-1 run to put themselves into the #7 spot. Rumors are also circulating that a buyer for the team is about ready to seal the deal. But success ca be fleeting. The Coyotes are in a dogfight with 5 teams for the final 2 spots in the West and they've been down this ownership path before. With league in control of the budget, they probably won't add any significant pieces. Fans can only hope they keep their good players in place.

NYR Feb 16. The Rangers finish off a set of games against Philly, New Jersey, Tampa, Philly, Washington, Boston and Chicago, a real test against rivals and some of the league's best.

The Rangers continue to prove they are one of the best in the NHL. Full credit for this rise must go to the coach. The Rangers could use some more offense and have their eyes on Nash. This is move they need to be extremely careful about. With such good chemistry, moving the wrong piece in return could spell trouble. Columbus is going to want significant assets and if I'm Rangers management, I wait until the offseason to make this bold move.

TBL Feb 18 vs Washington. Tampa Bay gave the Caps fits in the division last year and we should know where that race stands at this point.

I applaud the Lightning for honestly accessing their situation and starting to move players for assets now rather than chasing the longshot at making the playoffs. The decision was probably easier to make since management overexceeded expectations last year. The Capitals are almost the opposite. Given the high expectations and closeness to the #8 seed, they need to make a move. Frankly, they have waited too long. I've got to wonder if they should make a really bold move to reshape the roster for the future. Nobody has mentioned it, but it might be worth thinking about moving Ovechkin. Ideally that would be after the season but that doesn't mean they shouldn't explore it now.

ANA Feb 23 at Carolina - End of a tough 8 game road trip. If they are still in the hunt at this point, they are in great shape.

Anaheim is a good example to use to point out just how difficult it is to move up in the NHL standings. This team has been on a tear for well over two months now. As much as they've worked their way back into the playoff discussion, they are still 6 points out with 5 teams in their way. They'll have to keep up their almost unbelievable pace the rest of the way to secure the #8 seed. Even with a favorable schedule, I wouldn't bet on it. After fighting this hard, they cannot give up and trade assets even though it might be in their best long-term interest.

THE FOLLOWING HAVEN'T COME TO PASS YET BUT ARE FOCUSSED ON MONDAY's TRADE DEADLINE

SJS Feb 28 vs Philly - A 9 game round trip ends with a test again revamped, young Philly roster. A good measuring stick.

So far, this road trip has not been good to the Sharks. A team that was in position to battle for the first or second seed appears could lose the division or even get knocked from the playoffs. With LA making signficant moves, San Jose is looking add pieces. Malone was a good start and rumors are they are interested in Nash. They need one more piece. The clock is ticking.

**** TRADE DEADLINE ****

COL Mar 3 vs Pit - Many road games after this one before the trade deadline. Will the Avalanche be tempted to trade more assets again?

The Avalanche are a border team and in a tough situation. They could certainly use the money of a playoff series. But the reality is they do not stack up well against a round 1 opponent and should be focused on the future. Moving some depth at defense (Quincy) for some grit up front (Downie) shouldn't be the only move.

CAR Mar 6 at Washington - After a nice home stretch the Canes hit the road for 12 of their last 17. If they aren't firmly in the playoff race at this point, their season is over. Schedule makers were not friendly to the Canes.

The Canes have been out of the race for months now and handling things quite well. They've explored the trade market and decided wisely that keeping some of their assets by signing them to new deals was best for the future. I'm sure they'll continue to take calls. With a couple good draft picks over the last few seasons, the Canes may be back in the hunt much quicker than expected.

DAL Mar 6 at Vancouver - end a Western Canada trip right before the trade deadline. Will the Stars unload more talent in hopes of restocking the roster?

Much like Colorado, this team is in the race, but simply ill-prepared for a round 1 playoff series. They've made a couple moves for the future and should be making more.

NAS Mar 10 vs Detroit - Heading into the trade deadline this division rivalry could determine whether the Predators are buyers or sellers.

I'll be in attendance for this particular game in two weeks and cannot wait for what I assume will be a playoff like atmosphere. Nashville is clearly in the playoff picture and has the pieces in place for an extended playoff run. They've already fortified a strong defense with Hal Gill and would probably like a little more scoring up front. They'll have trouble making any move that adds cash as they still need to re-sign Weber and Suter in the offseason. Keep an eye on them on trade deadline day.

CAL Mar 13 vs San Jose - The trade deadline looms. Are the Flames willing to embrace the rebuild now?

I keep harping on this team and I won't stop now. They live in a world of illusion that makes them think making the playoffs is their ultimate goal. A team that should be doing every thing they can to fix their future, keeps giving it away for a brief run now. If they do it again on Monday, management should be fired. It is only another year or two until Iginla and Kiprisoff are gone. Then what?

NJD Mar 15 - Trade dealine. Will Broduer consider a move to a contender for another shot. It is hard to predict who that contender might be because goaltending is pretty locked up for most. But make no mistake about it, the call will be Broduer's to make.

Fortunately for Devil's management, they are in the thick of the playoff race and don't have to worry about facing this decision. I honestly don't think the Devils stand much chance in the playoffs but with the inconsistency of all but the Rangers in the East, any team might go on a run.

The Devils made a big move yesterday to acquire Zidlicky but the cost was BIG. I've got to wonder whether that was a move for the future Devils or one to give Marty one last shot.

TOR Mar 15 - Trade Deadline - See if Burke can add some significant pieces because the fans are getting restless.

Burke has to be dying to make a move but is also smart enough to know his team isn't quite ready to compete in the playoffs. If the right move comes along, he won't hesitate to make it but I wouldn't be shocked if he stands pat even if it means missing the playoffs again.

LAK Mar 16 at Anaheim - The end of 15 of 20 on the road and right near the trade deadline. Is the team ready for playoff level hockey?

No team needed to make a move more than LA. Game after game their defense and goaltending would hold their opponent in check only to see their offense score 0 or 1 goals leading to a loss. They desperately needed some offense. They finally pulled the trigger adding Carter at a big price. They should have made this move weeks ago. Will Carter be enough to get them to the playoffs and make some noise. That's what is expected in LA or the season is a bust. Keep on eye on them to see if they make another move because they have some more assets they could move.

Elsewhere around the league

A couple more teams to keep an eye on come Monday's trade deadline:

Philadelphia - I believe their moves are done but many seem to think they'll add another goalie. At what cost?

Boston - They have the assets to make a move and might want to adjust based on their less than ideal play over the last month.

Buffalo - They really need to move a few assets to start the retooling necessary. Offseason moves were a disaster. Will they wait for new management before making more moves.

Florida - An overachieving team shouldn't be diverting from their plan for the short-term. Standing pat is the best move by Tallon isn't one to watch when moves start happening.

Chicago - Their recent winning streak shouldn't mask the problems the Hawks have on defense. With many of the best assets already gone, Chicago may have to overpay for scraps in hopes of improving a spot that'll get exposed come May.

NHL Storylines

The fifth installment looking at the "Circle The Date" landmarks laid out in my NHL Predictions.

Edmonton - Jan 7 at Dallas - end of a 7 game road trip and about the halfway point of the season. Are the Oiler near .500? .400?


Edmonton is struggling, sitting at about .440 after a big win against Chicago last night. It hasn't help that each of their young stars has been absent for one or more games over the last couple of months. The are positive signs from this group but there is still a long way to go. No point mortgaging the future at this point but if a couple veterans can be moved for future assets, preferably ones ready to play at the NHL level, they might as well get started.

Columbus - Jan 14 vs San Jose - This game concludes a tough stretch (Washington, San Jose, LA, Anaheim, Chicago, Phoenix, San Jose) which should be a good measuring stick to see if Columbus is significantly improved.

Columbus went 2-5 in that stretch and didn't look even decent in most of the games. Columbus is the worst team in the NHL. It isn't even close. Its a bit surprising given they made some really decent moves in the offseason and it has to be demoralizing to the hometown fans. Now, talk is that they would mind out from the Carter contract. Frankly, moving him for more pieces would be a good thing.

New York Islanders - Jan 10-19. Dates against Detroit, Philly, Buffalo, Washington and Philly in a little over a week will really test the roster. If they have truly grown, they'll show it here. Otherwise, its "maybe next year" again.

The Islanders went 4-1 in this stretch of games, playing their best hockey of the season. Tavares is finally showing why he was rated so high since he laced then up as a junior many seasons ago. Unfortunately for the Islanders this all comes way to late to salvage a shot at the playoffs this season. But, if they can continue to compete, it should be a nice confidence boost entering next season. The Islanders are still a few pieces away from being in the mix.

Chicago - Jan 20 vs Florida - Afer this game the Blackhawks head on a 9 game road trip. They need to be in the thick of the race before then or making the playoffs may be tough.

Well, the home friendly schedule has come to an end and the Blackhawks are playing some really inconsistent hockey lately. While the teams around them seem to finding their groove, the Hawks have regressed and played sloppy defense just about every other night. The road trip got off to a bad start with an overtime loss in Vancouver and got worse with an 8-4 beatdown by the lowly Edmonton Oilers. They need to find their 60 minute game on this roadtrip or they'll be out of the division race and face a much tougher task come playoff time.

Elsewhere around the league

Florida - The Panthers are hanging tough despite the Capitals biting at their heals. They may have to win the division to get into the playoffs so their upcoming slate of divisional games is the key to their season.

Calgary - A trade with Montreal may have worked. With such a close race for the final spot in the West, this could be the move that gets them in. But don't expect that run to last long as this team is miles behind the West elite.

Pittsburgh - Just when it looked like this team had started a free-fall to a position out of the playoffs, Malkin took the team on his back and carried them to an 8 game winning streak. Back in the thick, they'll hope and wait for Crosby to return. In the meantime they better stay focussed or they'll tumble again.

Nashville - The more I see of this squad, the more I think they could seriously contend for The Cup. One more offensive piece could do wonders for this team. However, with Suter and Weber still awaiting new contracts, they probably aren't going to add much payroll. Which ever team faces this team in round 1 will have their hands full.

Last time I looked at the current standings with an eye towards the playoffs and speculated that any team 10 points in front pretty much had a playoff spot locked up and any team more than 10 point out was done. With another month completed, 8 is now the magic number:

VIRTUAL LOCKS
-------------
New York Rangers
Boston
Philly

Detroit
Vancouver
San Jose
Nashville
St. Louis
Chicago

OUT
--------------
Tampa Bay
Buffalo
New York Islanders
Montreal
Carolina

Anaheim
Edmonton
Columbus

The West is just about set. I fully expect to see LA join the crowd over the next couple of weeks. That would leave several teams (Minnesota, Dallas, Colorado, Calgary and Phoenix) fighting for a single spot. Let's see how many of those are left at the end of February.

Meanwhile in the East, there are probably 4 spots in play with 6-7 teams looking to fill them. The real kicker is the Southeast Division where the winner will probably claim the #3 seed but the loser could miss out completely yet be only a couple points behind the division leaders.

The race is heating up. Everyone must elevate their play.

Next installment will hopefully be before the trade deadline. The next couple weeks will determine the buyers and sellers.