I couldn't help but smile when the Montreal Canadiens eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins from the playoffs last night. Gone was the other team I really didn't want to see hoist the cup this year (we all know who #1 was). Still alive was the chance for the Boston Bruins to meet the Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals - although they are trying their best to blow that one. However more importantly was would this second round exit be enough for the Penguins to get serious about trading one of their centers -- Jordan Staal perhaps?
All I know is that Scott Howson better keep the lines of communication opens with Pens GM Ray Shero and make one heck of an attempt to land the 21 year old (yes, he's still just 21 years old) if he becomes available.
NHL Forecaster's take:
ASSETS: Skates well for a big man, is tenacious without the puck, works well in the corners and displays deft penalty-killing acumen. Can score goals, too.
FLAWS: Must work on his passing skills and playmaking ability. Needs to shoot the puck more often in order to become a big-time goal-scorer.
CAREER POTENTIAL: Perennial Selke candidate with offensive upside.
Staal had 21p 28a for 49p +19 in 82 games last season. Not spectacular I know but when you factor in who stars in front of him (Malkin, Crosby) who knows what his ceiling could be with top line minutes? He's got two years left on his deal at 4 mil per and will then be a UFA.
What would it take?
You have to give to get and I start with RJ Umberger who also has two years left at 3.75 per and see where that goes. I'd even consider the #4 overall but some salary would have to move Pittsburgh's way.
I hate to see RJ go but this team's strength is at wing and they MUST solidify the center of their ice. Staal would go a long way towards accomplishing that goal.
I still think Kevin Dineen is the #1 choice to coach the CBJ next season but the Detroit assistant coach Paul MacLean intrigues me- look no further than the San Jose Sharks success this season to see why.
The Sharks are lead by former Wings assistant coach Todd McLellan. As I responded to an emailer today (Mike) I think the Sharks out "winged" the Wings. They shoved the puck possession game right back into their faces, they were smarter, faster, had better goaltending and made the timely plays at critical points in the series. They also drove the Wings to take bad penalties. Think McLellan didn't have a hand in that?
If I'm Paul MacLean sitting down with Scott Howson I start off by making one point -
"You sick of losing to Detroit? You think your fans are sick of losing to them? You want to beat the Red Wings?
I can make that happen".
We all know Noel's interview is window dressing. If they were serious about him he's already be the head coach. The other two are wild cards for me although I've read very good things about Boucher in Montreal.
Check out this blurb from the Edmonton Journal this past weekend:
For those who think Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson might bend and jump at Ales Hemsky for the fourth overall draft pick in June if the Oilers were to pitch him, don't count on it.
The former Oilers assistant GM is a big Hemsky fan, and as much as he might like to see Hemsky on the right side, with Rick Nash on the left and maybe Antoine Vermette in the middle, Howson will likely hang onto the pick because he needs a defenceman more than a forward. If he can get Cam Fowler or Erik Gudbranson, the Ontario Hockey League's scholastic player of the year, he'll likely keep it.
Multiple NHL sources say Hemsky, who has two years left on his contract before he can walk away as an unrestricted free agent, gave off some positive vibes at his exit meeting about the direction of the Oilers' rebuilding job, so the team might want to re-sign him, anyway.
Just what this team needs is another skilled, fragile and highly paid winger right? Ain't gonna happen unless Huselius and his contract go the other way.
If the #4 pick gets moved it better be for a top center or top d-man.
Here is an interesting draft day scenario I read over on HF that makes some sense.
The Jackets trade the #4 overall pick to the Anaheim Ducks for #12 and #16 overall.
The Jackets would have to really like who may be available in those spots but to have two top 16 picks and then two picks in the 2nd round would give them a whole lot of ammo. They could draft someone at #12 and trade the 16th and say the 34th overall for an impact player. That would enable them to keep that all important development pipe flowing while also helping the team now.
Remember New Jersey, Toronto and Calgary do not have #1 picks. For instance, what would Kaberle be worth for a year?
Something to think about.
Each day I'm becoming more and more open to trading that #4 overall pick outright if Howson can get the right player. The more I read and the more I hear there doesn't seem to be that clear cut group after Hall/Seguin like many have thought. If the Jackets are not completely sold that the player at #4 will not eventually become an impact guy then trade it for someone who already is.
Howson may not be willing to deal the 4th overall for Hemsky but how about a defensemen swap? Say Commodore for Souray? I've seen the bandied about and this one makes a lot of sense to me.
Both of these players come with baggage.
Commodore's NTC expires on July 1st so Howson would be free and clear to move him. We know about his injury plagued season due to his "west coast conditioning" program last summer (if you believe that I've got some oil to sell you in gulf). He's 30 years old with three seasons left at 3.75 mil per.
Souray is a 33 year old d-man who was also riddled by injuries last season and in fact has demanded a trade out of Edmonton. He's got 2 years left on his deal at 5.75 per.
The salaries are basically a wash with the Jackets paying out an extra 25k for Souray which is peanuts in the world of pro sports. They would have to pay more in the short term however.
Souray has a rocket shot shot from the point but can be suspect at times in this own zone. Commodore is a classic stay at home type of whom we have more than we need. Both are big men and both can display a mean streak from time to time.
It's that big shot from the point that makes this deal attractive to me -- from forecaster:
ASSETS: Packs a big shot from the point--one of the best in the game. Has natural leadership qualities and takes on all comers to protect his teammates. Is adept at clearing the front of the net.
The Jackets could desperately use a that shot and heck, they could use some crease clearing as well. It's almost a bad contract for a bad contract deal but perhaps both players could use a change of scenery?
If this deal were on the table I think it's a risk I'd be willing to take provided either 1. ownership stomach the extra short term cost or 2. Howson figures out how to dump more salary.
Out of the 5 teams still alive in the playoffs I'm gonna have to swim with the Sharks although I'd love to see Boston win it. That 'hawks/Sharks series will decide the cup but I think this is finally San Jose's year to hoist Lord Stanely.
I mean let's face it -- the 'hawks have Hossa and the Cup curse that comes with him!
-LTL
