The Seven: With playoffs unlikely, Canadian NHL teams set to sell at trade deadline
If Thursday’s trade of Andrew Ladd by the Winnipeg Jets is any indication, there should be much more downsizing ahead for the seven Canadian NHL teams before Monday’s deadline.
They’ve all fallen on tough times this season and have to move, at least temporarily, to a bachelor suite until they get on their feet again.
The precious, can’t-live-without items will go to the new digs. The rest of them are being put on the lawn, available for the best offer. Everything must go!
Need a Radim Vrbata? How about a Jiri Hudler? Teddy Purcell could be yours. P-A Parenteau, too. Interested in Dale Weise, maybe? They’ve all reportedly been put up for sale.
But wait: there’s more!
Dan Hamhuis and Jannik Hansen are rumoured to be available in Vancouver. Same goes for shot-blocking blueliner Kris Russell in Calgary. The ‘For Sale’ sign is clearly out in Toronto, where anyone not named Morgan Rielly apparently could be had for the right price. The Leafs have already said goodbye to Shawn Matthias, Roman Polak and Nick Spaling. Like Parenteau, pending unrestricted free agents Michael Grabner and James Reimer just might be on their way out as well.
There have even been rumblings about star players with contract term in Edmonton and Montreal such as Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and – gasp! – P.K. Subban being shown the door. (The latter of which was quickly doused with cold water by Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.)
This is what happens when each of the Canadian teams has a snowball’s chance in you-know-where of making the playoffs. They set out all their gently used stuff, hope to find a taker and get ready to start over in the fall.
Now for the rest of The Seven – a weekly look at the Canadian-based NHL teams. It’s the trade deadline edition. This week we’ll break things down from worst to first.
EDMONTON OILERS
Trending – Speaking of Teddy Purcell, he was a healthy scratch for Thursday’s game in Los Angeles. Enigmatic blueliner Justin Schultz was also asked to sit out. Cue the trade speculation.
Making his mark – Veteran coach Todd McLellan is showing his authority in his first year in Edmonton. He expressed his frustration after a 4-1 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday, saying it’s time for some players to shape up or be shipped out.
Dubious distinction – That’s because … look who’s in last place in the NHL yet again. With 20 games remaining, the Oilers have the best chance (20 percent) of getting the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft. It would be the fifth time they would get the top selection in seven years.
What’s ahead – The Oilers are in Anaheim on Friday and then return home for a Sunday game against the Islanders. A four-game trip begins in Buffalo and Philadelphia.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Trending – The Leafs have already traded their captain. The mass exodus continued when they dealt winger Shawn Matthias to Colorado on Sunday and blueliner Roman Polak and centre Nick Spaling to San Jose on Monday. Who’s next?
Making his mark – Nazem Kadri, one of the potential pillars for the future, pulled off an amazing assist in Saturday’s 5-4 overtime loss to Philadelphia.
Dubious distinction – The Leafs earned their first win in nearly three weeks when they beat the visiting Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 on Thursday night.
What’s ahead – Still without James van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul, both now done for the season due to injury, the Leafs play Montreal, Tampa Bay, Washington and Minnesota.
CALGARY FLAMES
Trending – The Flames acquired 2013 former first-round pick Hunter Shinkaruk from Vancouver for Markus Granlund. The Flames passed twice on the Calgary boy in 2013 – he was selected 24th overall -- settling on Sean Monahan (sixth) Emile Poirier (22nd) instead.
Making his mark – The 2016 World Cup of Hockey rosters will be announced on Wednesday and blueliner TJ Brodie is getting some consideration for the Canadian team.
Dubious distinction – The never-ending quest for Dennis Wideman to get his suspension reduced has finally reached an independent arbitrator. Wideman was banned for 20 games after shoving linesman Don Henderson on Jan. 27 and has already missed 12 (and counting) contests.
What’s ahead – The Flames play Ottawa at home Saturday before embarking on a road trip, which begins with stops in Philadelphia, Boston and Buffalo.
WINNIPEG JETS
Trending – Andrew Ladd knew he was probably going to be traded and Jets fans did, too. Ladd received a standing ovation from those at MTS Centre after scoring a goal in a 5-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. It turned out to be his last game.
Making his mark – Perhaps Stars defenceman Johnny Oduya didn’t follow The Guide To Defending 101, but Joel Armia sure made him pay on this goal. The effort was part of a three-point night as the Jets beat the Stars 6-3 on Thursday, hours after their captain had been dealt.
Dubious distinction – Winnipeg allowed Florida winger Jaromir Jagr to tie and pass Brett Hull for third place on the NHL’s all-time goal list in a 3-1 loss last Saturday.
What’s ahead – The Jets travel to Pittsburgh before starting a five-game homestand starting with games against Florida and the Islanders.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Trending – The Canucks still have a (minuscule) chance to make the playoffs. But with so many players reportedly on the market, it could be a busy deadline day in Vancouver.
Making his mark – Emerson Etem had been fairly quiet since coming to Vancouver in a trade with the Rangers earlier this year. However, he scored twice – his second and third goals as a Canuck – in a 5-3 win over Ottawa on Thursday.
Dubious distinction – Etem’s protege Hunter Shinkaruk was leading the AHL’s Utica Comets in scoring and was perceived by some to be a top prospect. That he was traded has left fans feeling anywhere from confused to angry with Vancouver GM Jim Benning.
What’s ahead – The Canucks continue their homestand with two games against San Jose sandwiched between one against the Islanders. The Canucks need to beat the Sharks twice in regulation. They’re 10 points behind their Pacific foes.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Trending – The intentions were good. The execution was not. The Canadiens sent out thank you messages to alleged fans after reaching one million followers on Twitter. The problem was that some of the messages were sent to those with offensive handles, linking the Canadiens to derogatory terms.
Making his mark – A two-goal effort from forward Alex Galchenyuk helped the Canadians to a 4-3 win over league-leading Washington on Wednesday.
Dubious distinction – Blueliners Jeff Petry and Tom Gilbert are out for the rest of the season due to injuries. Another rearguard, Nathan Beaulieu, is out for two to three weeks.
What’s ahead – The Habs host Toronto on Saturday before heading to California for games against San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Trending – Dion Phaneuf was added from Toronto on Feb. 9 and has made an impact with six points in eight games. The Senators won four straight before a 5-3 loss in Vancouver on Thursday.
Making his mark – Rookie blueliner Chris Wideman earned a two-year contract extension on Wednesday. He has five goals and nine points in 45 games this season.
Dubious distinction – The Senators are only four points out of the last wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. They are Canada’s big hope. However, they sit 12th in the Eastern Conference and would need to collect 30 points in their last 20 games to get to 94 points – probably the bare minimum to have any chance of reaching the postseason.
What’s ahead – The Sens finish up their western Canadian trip in Calgary on Saturday night. They then return home and host St. Louis and Tampa Bay.
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