NHL Trade Deadline: The Crowded Basement

Jan 29, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; A detailed view of the NHL logo on a microphone during media day for the 2016 NHL All Star Game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

NHL Trade Deadline: The Crowded Basement in Early February

The basement of the standings is currently a popular place, increasing speculation ahead of the 2016 NHL trade deadline and draft. The Columbus Blue Jackets have beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 in regulation, which results in a six-way tie (before looking at games played) for last place in the NHL.

At 47 points the Columbus Blue Jackets join the Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Calgary Flames for the shared position in the bottom of the league. Ottawa is the next closest in the NHL standings with 52 points, leaving a 5 point cushion from the last place free-for-all.

With a few weeks remaining before the NHL trade deadline, this allows more teams to be listed as “Sellers” which will likely promote heavy trade speculation. Lets take a brief look at the state of these teams and their performance over recent games:

Columbus Blue Jackets: 47 points in 54 games played

The Columbus Blue Jackets are seemingly finding some team chemistry emerging from the All-Star break with 2 straight wins vs Vancouver and Calgary. It will be interesting to watch the team over the upcoming week to understand if this chemistry can be maintained. Recent play of rookie goaltender Joonas Korpisalo has also supported the recent success. The Blue Jackets face the Islanders on Tuesday, which will be a test for the young defense and goaltender. If the team can sustain their strong play, it will be surprising to see their name in headlines at the end of the month.

Edmonton Oilers: 47 points in 52 games played

The Edmonton Oilers have emerged from the break with Connor McDavid back in the lineup after recovering from injury. Despite Ryan Nugent-Hopkins being held off the roster due to wrist injury, the play of Eberle, McDavid and Draisaitl has carried the team to two-straight victories over the Senators and the Blue Jackets after the all-star break. The Oilers take on the struggling Canadiens on Saturday to likely continue their offensive onslaught. I would be surprised to see the Oilers making any moves of significance at the trade deadline.

Buffalo Sabres: 47 points in 52 games played

The Buffalo Sabres have not emerged from the All-Star break with the same success as the previously mentioned teams. Play of the young stars are showing the offensive power the team can boast in 2016-17, but goaltending remains an area of concern. Robin Lehner has shown flashes of brilliance, but has yet to prove he can be the team’s future in the crease. Taking on the Bruins Saturday evening and the Panthers early in the week will likely prove to be two difficult contests for the Sabres team.

Winnipeg Jets: 47 points in 51 games played

The Winnipeg Jets may be the busiest team in the month of February. Rumors surrounding the expiring contracts of captain Andrew Ladd and the juggernaut on defense – Dustin Byfuglien make the team an interesting watch in the coming weeks. The team has dropped two contests to the Hurracanes and Stars after the NHL All-Star break. Facing the Avs on Saturday, the team will be fighting to end their losing streak, but I do not see their struggles ending in the near future. The Jets may be a dark horse for Auston Matthews this summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs: 47 points in 50 games played

Of the teams listed, the Leafs are perhaps the least surprising to be at the league bottom in early February. What is surprising, the two-game winning streak the Leafs have pieced together after shootout win vs. Boston and comeback win vs. the Devils. With Mike Babcock at the helm this team will continue fighting through February, but will likely lose a few key role players at the end of the month. P.A. Parenteau and Roman Polak are two impactful pieces that will almost certainly be moved.

Next: Edmonton Oilers C Leon Draisaitl

Calgary Flames: 47 points in 50 games played

The Calgary Flames are a surprise bottom dweller this year, after a strong showing in the 2015 NHL playoffs. With three straight losses leading up to the All-Star break, a win vs the Hurricanes earlier this week and a loss to the Blue Jackets on Friday, this teams hopes for a repeat playoff appearance have died. It is hard to categorize this team due to their young offensive talent and a strong blue line. The team may look to bring in added offensive support in the offseason and will need to fortify their goaltending situation with both goalies on expiring contracts. Reports indicate that the team has received calls interested in the aging Jiri Hudler, so a deal involving the Czech may emerge by end of the month.

Ultimately, the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline and 2016 NHL Draft will prove to be great side stories through the remainder of the 2016 season.

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