Going out on top is a dream for professional athletes. As these five players near the twilight of their career, will they be traded for one more shot at the Stanley Cup?
Dec 29, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; The Minnesota Wild players celebrate after the game against the Winnipeg Jets after the third period at MTS Centre The Wild won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
As the NHL trade deadline moves closer some of the leagues elder statesmen could prove to be attractive additions to a team looking for a veteran presence, additional scoring or depth on defense. Not to mention these players will tend to cost acquiring GM’s a lesser price. And it would give these players, many of whom have been very productive throughout their careers, one final opportunity to hoist the Stanley Cup. And if Raymond Bourque can be traded for a shot at Lord Stanley, anyone can.
Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-3Could Flames Goalie Dan Vladar Be A Trade Option for the Avalanche? /
With questions still lingering about next years’ salary cap teams may be less willing to acquire players with much time left on their contracts, though I do suggest at the end one such player that could (and should) be available for the right price. Commissioner Gary Bettman indicated that the cap should move up $4 million to $73 million, but that is still subject to change. With an eye to the bottom line and the playoffs, GM’s will have to find the right talent to add to enhance their teams toward winning the most important sixteen games of the season.
Here are five players that could be available and make nice additions to a contending team, including a team that I believe would make sense to acquire them:
Nov 28, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Erik Cole (72) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
To say Dallas is not meeting expectation this year would be an understatement. Despite going 8-2 in their last 10 games, the Stars still remain 6 points back of four teams for the final playoff spot in the West. That’s a lot of teams to jump in a loaded conference. If Dallas is unable to make up more ground in the next few weeks, someone like Cole could be available to add scoring and a physical presence. With 13 points in 35 games he isn’t the player that scored 35 with Montreal in 2010-11. And at 36 it’s fair to question how many more seasons are left for Cole. But he can still contribute and that Stanley Cup ring from 2006 still carries a lot of weight. While they are on the outside looking in right now, his style would be a nice fit in Columbus.
Dec 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Daniel Briere (48) during the game against the St. Louis Blues at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado is even further behind in the West thanks to poor possession numbers and a nagging injury to starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov. The Avalanche still have a great young nucleus with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog leading the way and a player like Briere may be expendable. Briere, like Cole prior, is a UFA at the end of the season and has a reputation for producing in the playoffs. While his size has always been a disadvantage his production in the games that matter most would make Briere an attractive option for teams looking at adding additional punch. He would have a fair bit of value on the second power play unit in Washington.
(31) during the third period at Prudential Center. The Hurricanes defeated the Devils 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
What playoff contender wouldn’t be interested in the ageless wonder? And even at 42 if you can acquire Jagr and make an impression on him who’s to say he would resign at years end for another three years? He could probably play at a high level until he is 50. Tied for the team lead in points with 21 and with a wealth of Stanley Cup experience Jagr will be highly sought after, especially after his comments about having “no problem” if the team wants to trade him. Teams in the West would get in line for him, but he could really help that narrow goal differential in Anaheim.
(not pictured) scores on Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom (32) during overtime at Xcel Energy Center. The Bruins defeated the Bruins 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
There are typically fewer goaltenders available at the deadline, though last year eleven goaltenders were dealt – Jaroslav Halak twice. And every time you discuss Marc-Andre Fleury you have to mention the run Tomas Voukun went on backing him up in the 2013 playoffs. And last season though Dustin Tokarski filled in admirably he isn’t Carey Price. Backstrom has his own injury history which may concern teams, but to bring in a veteran as preparation if your starter struggles or goes down injured is a smart play. And the Wild already know that Darcy Kuemper can carry the mail and may look to unload salary considering all the big contracts they’ve handed out in recent years. This could be a smart acquisition for Detroit should the Wings lose (or lose faith in) Jimmy Howard.
Dec 27, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) during the second period against the Anaheim Ducks at Gila River Arena. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 2-1 in an overtime shootout. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to tell what the Coyotes might do with Doan, whose name has been thrown around in trade rumors seemingly on an annual basis as the deadline approaches. But who is pulling the trigger? An endless ownership saga may FINALLY be brought to an end which would provide clarity to what happens on the ice. Arizona is far closer to contending for the coveted top pick in the draft than they are a playoff spot, and Doan would still fetch a good return. According to capgeek.com Doan is the only player mentioned with another year on his deal so the trade would be more complex due to cap concerns. But Doan has been both productive and a good leader during a difficult few years in Arizona. He would be a great fit on a young team looking to make a deep run, someone like the Tampa Bay Lightning.
