NHL Thoughts & Theories 2/21/12

NEW YORK– By Daniel Friedman

We are just six days away from the NHL’s Trade Deadline and per usual, there are plenty of rumors going around. Which ones are and
aren’t true? That’s a different story entirely.

Nabokov Likely Staying Put
Let’s start with the New York Islanders and goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. As I’ve said before, Nabokov isn’t likely to be moved.

He’s been playing superb hockey for the Isles and between Rick DiPietro’s injury, Al Montoya’s shakiness and the fact that Kevin Poulin needs to bide his time in the AHL, it makes little sense for this team to get rid of Nabby.

Interestingly enough, we now know those aren’t the only reasons Nabokov is likely to stay put. According to Newsday’s Arthur Staple, as well as a team source, contract negotiations between Don Meehan (Nabokov’s agent) and GM Garth Snow are set to commence “very soon.” Interpret that however you will and take it for what it’s worth.

Extra Point- There are still a few pieces the Islanders would like to sell, such as defensemen Milan Jurcina and Mark Eaton. Teams have been scouting Jurcina all year. He’s had his moments and he will have suitors. Whether or not those suitors are willing to give Snow what he wants in return, likely a second-round pick, remains to be seen. Mark Eaton has reportedly demanded a trade but has done virtually nothing to make himself a viable or attractive option for a contending team looking to add depth.

Nash Still Likely Going Nowhere
As far as Rick Nash is concerned — despite the fact that TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that he thinks the Rangers are the frontrunner, my sources tell me otherwise. The only way that changes is if Columbus lowers their asking price, which is highly unlikely.

There are more than a few insiders close to the situation who believe that the Jackets would strongly prefer to keep their captain on board
rather than trade him. Columbus would however like to move Jeff Carter, who was traded to the team this summer but not by his choice. Carter’s struggling this season, but that has a lot to do with the fact that, other than Nash, he doesn’t have much talent to work with.

Carter is not the type of player that will carry a team on his back; he’s more of a support star. He needs that extra boost, like the one he had in Philadelphia with Mike Richards, Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdyk and Daniel Briere. No doubt, such rumors will persist until the trade deadline passes, but a couple of teams have already begun wheeling and dealing.

Habs Make Out Well In Gill Deal, Though Gauthier Still A Goner
The Washington Capitals, who are practically fighting for their lives in this playoff race (at least in theory), would’ve loved to acquire Hal Gill from Montreal. Unfortunately for them, Nashville put together the better package.

Canadiens’ GM Pierre Gauthier, who is ironically also on the brink of elimination, was able to reel in Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney and a 2012 second-round pick from the Predators, in exchange for Gill and a conditional fifth-rounder in 2013. Determining which side won this deal really depends on how you look at it.

If you’re going to judge based on short-term benefit, then obviously Nashville got the better end, given that Hal Gill is the only NHL-ready player in this group. Gill is 6’7″, 244 pounds and packs a whole lot of “ouch.” Simply put, he’s practically a freight train on
skates. The Preds are clearly gearing up for what they hope will be a deep playoff run, and adding some more size and stability to their defense—already one of the league’s best—will only help.

Long-term, however, I think the Habs got the better end. Blake Geoffrion has plenty of upside and can play either center or wing. He’s shown the ability to score goals and not just the pretty ones. Geoffrion has a nose for the net and will go to the dirty areas around the net to make things happen. He’s also an excellent skater and is strong on the puck.

The media will have a field day talking about how much pressure Blake – who is the grandson of Habs legend Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion – must now feel playing in Montreal with that last name. Try as they might, it shouldn’t faze the kid. Dallas Stars winger Eric Nystrom, son of Islander great Bob, says that’s something that, as a professional athlete, you generally tune-out.

If Geoffrion plays 40 games or more for the Canadiens next season, Nashville gets that fifth-round pick. Montreal also received a second-round pick in the deal and that obviously gives (insert new Habs GM’s name here) an opportunity to add another solid prospect to the pipeline.

As for Robert Slaney: He’s struggled to find his offensive touch in recent years, but has decent size (6″2, 203 lbs) and is an aggressive fore-checker. Slaney has 20-goal potential, though it appears unlikely he’ll reach it. If I told you I was expecting this kind of a return for Hal Gill, I’d be lying. It was a great move by Gauthier, though it probably won’t be enough to save his job. Barring a Habs miracle postseason berth, Gauthier is as good as gone.

Flyers Upgrade Blueline
Not to be outdone were the Flyers, who added a pair of defensemen – Nicklas Grossman and Pavel Kubina –, in two separate deals.  The team
needed more “size and physicality,” as head coach Peter Laviolette coined it, and in Grossman and Kubina, they’re getting exactly that.

In order to pry the 6”3, 227 pound Grossman away from Dallas, Philly GM Paul Holmgren had to part with a 2012 second-round pick, and a 2013 third-rounder. Was that a bit much? I don’t think so. For Kubina (6”4, 258 lbs), he sent Jon Kalinski, who projects as a depth forward, along with a conditional second-rounder in 2013 and a fourth-round pick in that same draft to Tampa Bay.

As long as both rearguards play at the level they’re capable of, these were two excellent pickups for Holmgren and his Flyers. There’s little to no chance they’ll catch the Rangers, but come playoff time, they should be considered a serious threat.

Yzerman Deals Kubina, Moore
The Kubina deal was not the only recent trade Lightning GM Steve Yzerman made. He also shipped Dominic Moore and a 2012 seventh-round
pick to San Jose and got a 2012 second-round pick in return.

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why Moore keeps getting bounced around. He’s a real good penalty-killer and two-way forward. Most coaches will tell you they wish all of their players had his work ethic. I think the Sharks did well here, and the addition of Moore only makes
this team deeper down the middle. I doubt GM Doug Wilson is finished tweaking, though.

As for Stevie Y: Look, the Lightning are still looking to add more pieces through the draft and the team you see now is by no means the
finished product. That second-round pick should help them out a little, and it’s more than I thought they’d get, but I have to
disagree with the decision to trade Moore.