Weekly Update: Twas the Night Before the Deadline

I am sorry I missed last weeks post but this week I am back and ready to talk about what is to come tomorrow. In this post I will discuss some of the biggest names on the trade market and where I think they will be traded to.

The first player I would like to talk about is Chris Phillips, the veteran defencman from the struggling Ottawa Senators that seems to be the only player left on that team that anyone wants. Since Brian Murray through in the towel on this season with all of the trades that he has made in the last month, Phillips has been the most talked about player, but the only one that hasn't moved yet. All this past week, the sens and Phillips have been in contract discussions and though he hasn't signed anything yet I think the 2 sides will eventually come to an agreement. That agreement might not come tomorrow, but I am certain that Phillips will refuse to waive his no trade clause and not allow Murray to trade him, even though it would be better for the rebuilding of the franchise. If Phillips wants to help his team the Sens, the a trade is the right thing to do, but at this point that doesn't seem likely to happen.

The next big player on the trading block is Brad Richards of the Dallas Stars, who's name has been in the rumours since the start of the season. Of course, when the rumours started no one expected the Stars to shoot up the standings the way they did but now that they have fallen back into a more expected position, he still could be moved. To go along with the theme of this season, or just to add more drama, Richards also has a concussion and no one is sure when he will be coming back. I don't think he will be traded tomorrow either as the concussion poses to big of a risk to any team hoping to make a playoff run, but expect him to sign with a new team come the off season because the ownership situation will make it to hard to give him the money, at least the money he feels, he deserves.

The Edmonton Oilers, a team that has long been eliminated from this years postseason, has 2 skillful forwards that are being coveted by many teams, especially the LA Kings. Those players are Dustin Penner and Ales Hemsky and both can bring playoff experience to any team that gets them. I believe 1 and maybe both of these players will be traded tomorrow and their price tag will include a 1st round pick in this years draft as well as a skillful young player who is under 25 and ready to lead a team. I am sure in the end minutes of deadline day, one team will eventually break and pull the trigger on these deals. It will be interesting to see which ones do.

The Colorado Avalanche are also a team that has ended their season with the blockbuster deal that sent out Kyle Shattenkirk and Chris Stewart so J-M Liles is a player that many teams covet for their team. However, he may find himself on a team that isn't set to make a playoff run this year, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs. I am not sure why the leafs want Liles so bad, since they are already very deep on defence. But if the leafs are willing to give up a good young defenceman back to the Avs, then I think they should go with it. I also think that Liles would be an important asset to keep for the coming seasons, so this trade could go either way.

I am very curious to see all of the trades tomorrow so all we can do is wait and see. I am still amazed that the leagues GM's are still able to hide which cards they are about to play until just before they pull the trigger. I can't wait to wake up early tomorrow to see what unfolds. I will be sure to update this blog as soon as the deals are done with my own takes on all of the movement so expect another special edition tomorrow. Until then I hope I can provide some potential moves for you to ponder while we all wait for the real deals to happen.