Power rankings: Deadline approaching
With the March 4 NHL trade deadline less than a month away, it's time to assess the buyers and sellers, the teams looking to add one key piece, and others who can stockpile assets for the future.
This week's power rankings – which appear each Tuesday – delve into what each team might be thinking as it pinpoints its needs for the immediate future and what a team feels like it can do without.
1.Boston Bruins (39-8-7, Previous: 1) – Boston might look at adding a playoff-tested veteran or improving its goaltending depth, although that would make it tricky to juggle the roster. But if Chris Pronger is available, the Bruins might have the kind of assets Anaheim wants without derailing Boston's drive toward a deep Stanley Cup run.
2.Detroit Red Wings (35-11-7, Previous: 4) – If the playoffs were to start today, Ty Conklin would probably be the starting goalie. Detroit could be in the market for a goalie, but who out there fits the bill and is willing to help the Wings – Toronto and Vesa Toskala? The Wings might swing a deal out of necessity, too, because they've got guys in the minors who could play in the NHL – Darren Helm, Ville Leino, Jonathan Ericsson and Jimmy Howard, to name a few.
3.San Jose Sharks (36-7-7, Previous: 2) – Like almost every team in the league, the Sharks would welcome depth on defense. They've become exposed back there with Dan Boyle, Rob Blake and Brad Lukowich battling injury over the past six weeks. The team is also looking for the right mix on the third and fourth lines, another area for a possible pick-up.
4.Washington Capitals (34-16-4, Previous: 3) – Besides looking for a veteran goalie with playoff experience who just doesn't seem to be out there, the Capitals could benefit from a playoff-type role player – up front and on defense. Not saying these are the guys to get, but players such as Bill Guerin and Sean O'Donnell. The team looks good on paper, but maybe could use more of an identity on the third line.
5.Chicago Blackhawks (29-14-8, Previous: 7) – Interesting quandary here, as the Blackhawks have too much money invested in goaltending, but they can't trade Nikolai Khabibulin after the way he's performed. And Cristobal Huet is supposed to be the No. 1 of the future, starting this year. This roster, too, is crying out for a veteran playoff performer since it will be a new experience for most.
6.New Jersey Devils (34-17-3, Previous: 5) – The Devils would probably like to get a little bigger and stiffer on the backline, meaning they, too, would probably be part of the Chris Pronger sweepstakes if there is one. Don't see much else happening as it pertains to a Cup run seeing as the Devils have welcomed back all their former forwards.
7.Philadelphia Flyers (28-15-9, Previous: 9) – If it's not depth on defense teams are looking for, it's goaltending, and the Flyers probably fit into that group with Washington, Detroit and maybe Montreal. And speaking of depth on defense, the Flyers got ravaged by injuries against Pittsburgh in the conference finals. It's hard to pinpoint needs throughout the postseason, but if there's a d-man available, might as well grab him.
8.Dallas Stars (26-19-7, Previous: 13) – Surprise, surprise, the Stars are back in a playoff picture and looking like they should be part of the West's top eight. No Sergei Zubov and possibly no Brenden Morrow (he's trying to get back from early-season surgery) clouds the picture if Dallas can go as far as it did last year (third round). Deals made at the deadline should be for players that are part of the future, and not of a rental variety.
9.Buffalo Sabres (28-20-6, Previous: 12) – It's not a Stanley Cup roster, and there probably isn't enough out there to make it one. Do you tweak to get in because playoff revenue is vital or do you take the long view and build for next season knowing a total rebuild is not necessary?
10.Calgary Flames (31-18-4, Previous: 6) – Anyone got a No. 1 center available? Unless the Flames come out of nowhere to snag Vincent Lecavalier, who probably isn't available, they'll have to go it again with forcing guys up one position where they'd otherwise naturally fit. This is going to sound like a broken record, but depth on defense could help.
11.Anaheim Ducks (27-24-5, Previous: 11) – First off, the Ducks have to decide if they're buyers or sellers because if they can't strengthen themselves enough to beat the San Joses and Detroits, there's no point loading up for the short term. If they're buyers, Anaheim needs speed everywhere. If they're sellers, there are all kinds of players who are going to attract interest at the deadline. There could be some very familiar household names heading out the door.
12.Montreal Canadiens (29-19-6, Previous: 8) – About now you're starting to realize that the teams holding veteran defensemen that are willing to make a move will get a high return. Maybe this time around general manager Bob Gainey can get that veteran backup to Carey Price – just in case. He sure would have loved to have that kind of goalie against Philly last spring.
13.Minnesota Wild (27-22-3, Previous: 14) – Decisions have to be made on their own players – Marian Gaborik and Niklas Backstrom specifically – before the Wild can venture into the market. Minnesota needs size and scoring depth to entertain any thoughts of a long run.
14.Carolina Hurricanes (27-22-5, Previous: 16) – The Hurricanes are trying to put more emphasis on defense during Paul Maurice's second go-around as head coach. Instead of focusing on the blue line, the team needs to look at its group of forwards and tweak to add more of a two-way look. Size and speed is welcomed as well.
15.Edmonton Oilers (26-23-4, Previous: 15) – It's a good team, but not a great one. And with any team on the fence, the decision has to be made first just how important is it to make the playoffs or instead look to be a seller at the deadline with the idea of picking up prospects and picks. If I'm the Oilers, I'm a seller.
16.Pittsburgh Penguins (26-24-5, Previous: 17) – The Pens are keeping their fingers crossed for the return of Sergei Gonchar next month, but that's cutting it close in terms of locking up a playoff spot. The big hole, or holes, are the wingers on either side of Sidney Crosby. His talents are going to waste right now. GM Ray Shero figures to field a lot of calls leading up to the deadline.
17.New York Rangers (29-20-5, Previous: 10) – Well, after reacquiring Sean Avery, obviously the Rangers will need nothing else. Nothing else but a psychiatrist's couch. If New York really wants to go in that direction, there's nothing we can do here to help. Besides, it's pretty clear these guys have quit on coach Tom Renney, which is unfortunate. Can't fire the 23 players so guess what's next?
18.Los Angeles Kings (23-21-7, Previous: 22) – The longer the team stays in contention the more the young players learn about how to win down the stretch, and that's the biggest thing the Kings will take from this season – along with another season of development for their young, future stars. When it comes to the deadline, it's not so much selling as it is making only the moves that benefit for the future, which is coming quickly.
19.Vancouver Canucks (24-20-8, Previous: 20) – Imagine the stir GM Mike Gillis could cause if he dangles the Sedin twins at the deadline? Don't be shocked if they're shopped. If not, where exactly does this team go? Depth is needed all around, scoring is needed, and on it goes. Looks like Vancouver should be more in a seller mode.
20.Florida Panthers (25-19-8, Previous: 21) – It probably isn't as much who to acquire, but rather whether or not to dangle defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, the set-to-be unrestricted free agent at season's end. The bottom line: As long as the Panthers are this close to finally securing a playoff spot, they have to be in a buyer's mode and that means holding on to their big rearguard.
21.Columbus Blue Jackets (25-23-5, Previous: 18) – While it looks like long-term goaltending is in good hands, and the team definitely has an identity under coach Ken Hitchcock, the challenge continues to fill the roster with players who are willing to play a selfless, two-way system. Tweaks are in order on defense, and there's always that search for a top-line center.
22.St. Louis Blues (22-24-6, Previous: 24) – Even if you believe the Blues are still in the hunt, the fact is they have too many teams to climb over to reach the eighth spot. No need to trade anything they want down the line, but they do have pieces that will be attractive to buyers that could bring more help such as Keith Tkachuk, Jay McKee and Manny Legace.
23.Nashville Predators (25-25-3, Previous: 26) – Is this where Alexander Radulov comes back into play? The Predators hate to lose this kind of talent, but if he's never going to play for them, they have to move the asset to the team that thinks it can work through the red tape to bring him back from Russia. There obviously is a lack of scoring on the roster, but that's going to be difficult to address without surrendering a key piece or two so the Preds don’t figure to get a lot better in the short term.
24.Colorado Avalanche (25-27-1, Previous: 23) – The Avalanche have far too many holes to plug to make a legitimate run in the West, so it's looking like the team will be sellers this spring as opposed to buyers like they were last year at this time.
25.Phoenix Coyotes (24-25-5, Previous: 19) – The Coyotes have been very focused on building and not taking shortcuts for the last two years, and it's no time to deviate from that plan now, regardless of the financial state of the franchise. Getting into the top eight in the West is going to be a real challenge, so Phoenix has to make sure it doesn't make any hasty moves it will regret later.
26.Tampa Bay Lightning (18-24-11, Previous: 25) – The roster that has been in flux for more than a year figures to stay that way through the deadline. The question will probably be answered if Vincent Lecavalier really is going to start that contract extension as a member of the Lightning – or will another veteran piece go?
27.Toronto Maple Leafs (20-24-9, Previous: 28) – Brian Burke is licking his chops for the deadline. He'd like to be the busiest GM, but it takes two to tango. As long as other teams see pieces that fit for a Cup run, then Burke has an opportunity to start collecting the kind of players he wants – tough and competitive.
28.Ottawa Senators (18-25-8, Previous: 29) – It's been a long time since the Senators have been looked at as sellers at the deadline, but that's likely the position they'll find themselves in. At the same time, if there's a way to improve the back end here's a chance. Ottawa certainly has offensive stars. If the Sens want to dangle one of the big three – Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley or Daniel Alfredsson – and make a blockbuster, there will be teams willing to listen.
29.New York Islanders (16-31-5, Previous: 27) – Anyone want Rick DiPietro? Just kidding. The Isles are committed to the youth movement, and obviously they have a few veterans who might look attractive to potential playoff teams. Out of the chase, any move the Islanders make will fortify the never-ending rebuilding effort.
30.Atlanta Thrashers (18-31-5, Previous: 30) – What can you say here to suggest things will get better? Hey, ownership, wake up. It's not working. You actually have to feel sorry for the few fans the Thrashers actually have in this market.
