This classic from March of 2008….a 6 man tag Hockey Around The Horn style. This was one brewing for months so let’s get down to it. Note the slightly controversial ending.
A long week in the making but this was well worth it….it is time for HOCKEY AROUND THE HORNNNNNNN!!!!!
And your host….Chris Wassel.
Cw: Ok folks we have an exciting 6 man tag with Pogo, Rick, and Dan going up against the forceful trio of Imber, Weill, and Blueser. Oh screw the introductions…these guys just want to get at it and rip these questions apart already!
Let’s get it on!!!!
This is all about the Trade Deadline well almost all of it…..AND NOW……
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Okay we had three pretty high impact players change teams today…who is the one players you most expected to be moved but wasn’t and why wasn’t he?
The player that I most expected to be move that stayed put had to be Olli Jokinen. Honestly, the real reason he wasn’t moved was because Coach/GM Jacques Martin knows that if Florida misses the playoffs again, he’s going to be axed. So, even though he knows Florida doesn’t have a great shot to make the playoffs, he still knows that it’s an impossibility without Olli. Moreover, Florida still needs to sell tickets, as they play 7 of their next 9 at home, and without Jokinen, that is a much harder sale.
— Imber
I guess I am going to say Ollie Jokinen by default. With all the rumors swirling around about him being traded like it was a sure thing you could help but not think it was a possibility. Well that is easy. It isn’t like Florida is dead in the water or anywhere near it, even if you use the fact that they are 13th in the east. (At the time this was written) They are only 6 points out of a playoff spot, and you do not trade your best player/captain in that sort of spot. If he is going to be moved it should be in the off season and not when they are in striking distance of a possible playoff berth. — Pogo
Well, a month ago, I would have strongly considered Mats Sundin to be shipped out of Toronto before the trade deadline. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause, therefore he is still in Toronto. This was, in essence, the player I saw had the greatest chance to be moved. — Weill
I really thought Barret Jackman was gone. He said himself “I’m not sure of my future here, but not a lot of people are sure of me being here either.” It didn’t seem like the Blues would match his offer, but they did.
And here I sit, waiting patiently for the money to be worth it. — Blueser
The Player I most expected to get traded was Michael Ryder. I believed he was in the package for Hossa Montreal had on the table, however Gainey’s resistance to move Higgins is what caused that deal to fall through. Which was a good move. I think Gainey was still working on putting together something for Hossa when Pitt. swooped in and snagged him. By that time there was not much time left to move Ryder and I think Gainey figured that instead of dumping him off for a mid level draft pick, he would just hold on to him and see if he can contribute in the playoffs — Rick
I am going to take what would seem like the homer route, but in actuality, it is based on logic. Ray Emery was the player I fully expected to get moved, if not solely on the fact that he was on the trade block for the entire year, and Murray had actively suggested that Emery was being shopped heavily from the get go, and actually at one point offered a two goalie trade just to remove him. The reason he wasn’t is simple. No one wanted to take him. He is a cancer in the locker room, and even the most desperate of GMs knew that his downside far exceeds his upside. — Dan
Who will make the biggest impact on their new team?
I honestly think Cristobal Huet will have the biggest impact on his new team. Washington has an amazing goalie in Kolzig, but we all know he’s way past his prime. I think with Huet, Washington now has to be the favorites in the weak SE division, and Huet could probably back a playoff run in Washington. With the offense Washington has, goaltending was their biggest question mark, and it was totally answered today. — Imber
Although some people would probably think Hossa, I beg to differ. To me he is having an off year, but given the face he will play with Malkin and pretty soon Crosby, of course he is going to score. Hell I could score 40 with them. I am going with Huet, I have said it all year, as soon as Washington can land a solid goaltender, they will be contenders, and they did that with a 2nd round pick. Although their Defense is nowhere near the best, Huet is a HUGE step up from Kolzig. They now have Solid offense, a mediocre defense and a good solid starting goaltender. — Pogo
Marian Hossa on the Penguins. This could be either a good or bad impact on his new team. Hossa, while a great player, wasn’t a cheap ticket. Pittsburgh shipped away some good, but slightly unproven, talent. However, in the long run, this might prove to be a great move by Atlanta. — Weill
I would have said Marian Hossa a few days ago, but you know how that goes. I’d have to say Brad Richards now. He seems to fit well in his new environment. — Blueser
Huet….. Washington now has a reliable goaltender and he might prove to be the key to the division and a playoff spot. A close second to Brad Richards on Dallas, the change of scenary will benefit him and he is under contract, so he will be around for a bit. — Rick
Cristobel Huet. He was a number one goaltender in Montreal, and he will no doubt be a solution to a questionable back end in Washington. It will give Ovechkin and his score first teammates a chance to out muscle teams on the scoreboard. In other words, they will play to their natural ability and trust Huet to steal games regardless. — Dan
Will any of these guys get resigned in the offseason by their “landlords”?
Well certainly somebody is going to re-sign through all this madness. To me, guys like Hossa and Federov were total rentals, but I think out of all the UFAs that were traded, San Jose has the best chance to re-sign Brian Campbell. With what the Sharks gave up for him, they need to. I can easily see a 5 year deal getting hammered out in the offseason. — Imber
That is tough to answer, you know the teams will try to resign them, I mean, you don’t trade away prospects or draft picks for players who are only going to play 20 or so games with you (Not including the playoffs).– Pogo
Surely, some of these guys that got traded are purely rentals, but as far as them coming back to their original team, I don’t see anyone doing that. — Weill
I think that Bryce Salvador will probably be back. –Blueser
Due to the cap restrictions any of the big names, its really hard to say. Pitt can in no way afford Hossa with contracts of Malkin and Staal coming up after next year. Campbell maybe can be signed if Marleau gets moved before his contract kicks in. From the vibe I got from his agent, Soupy will end up to the highest bidder and I really don’t think the Sharks can go that high.
— Rick
I would say no to Campbell without question. I think Buffalo is going to have a change of heart in the off-season and give him whatever he wants. Huet is questionable, as Washington made no point to get rid of either of his current goaltenders, and it makes me wonder if they really did intend to keep him during that ‘move’ (possibly a secondary trade that fell through) Hossa will most likely test the market unless the Pens throw some ghastly number – I’m thinking 10 million – at him. If they do, I’ll be happy to proclaim that my bonehead move of the off-season. — Dan
Who made the boldest move of the deadline?
I think Dallas may have made the boldest move in getting Brad Richards. He’s a great player and certainly makes them favorites to advance a couple of rounds in the playoffs and maybe more, but Mike Smith is a great goaltender who has almost beaten out Turco in the past for a starting job, and Jussi Jokinen is a solid youngster who is deadly in the shootouts. Dallas obviously wins this trade now, but Tampa gets a lot for the future. — Imber
I say Dallas did, and I am surprised people think this was such a good move. Seems like to me, the Dallas scouts didn’t know the footage they were watching of Richards were 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning reruns. Hey you never know though, a change of scenery could be just what Richards needs to not be the most over paid/ under performer in the league. Also, Mike Smith for Holmqvist, I truly do not believe Dallas initiated that part of the trade, that trade most likely needed those two in order for it to work because I think the Stars could have gotten much more for Smith than that. Now when you look at the fact it was Jokinen, a potential top 6 forward with Mike Smith and Jeff Halpren, Dallas better pray they get their money’s worth, just like Tampa Bay did with that ridiculous contract. — Pogo
The Dallas Stars. They acquired Richards (and his overpaid contract) along with goaltender Holmqvist, in exchange for a promising young goaltender (Smith), a grizzled veteran who was once a captain (Halpern), and a shootout specialist (Jokinen).
— Weill
This may be my bias, but I think trading Bryce Salvador for Cam Janssen, a guy who hasn’t played one damned game this season before Thursday, is pretty bold. Janssen also impressed me with his effort. — Blueser
Pittsburgh, the sent a good portion of their future to try and win this season. I look not only at the Hossa trade, (who will not be resigned for reasons stated earlier) for 2 NHL ready players, a top prospect and a draft pick, they also sent a couple of draft picks to TML for Hal Gill. If it pays off and Pens win the CUP people will praise Shero. I do not… he will be a goat. No matter what happens it was a ballsy move. — Rick
Bob Gainey. Carey Price is going to be a number goalie in this league, but with a team like Montreal who needs a strong netminder to excel in the post season, taking a chance on Price simply to gain a second round pick just seems like the worst possible move at this juncture of the season. His confidence in Price better translate into some serious netminding, or his job will likely be in jeopardy. — Dan
Who made the bonehead move of the deadline?
I’d say that has to be the Pittsburgh Penguins. They’re going for it all this year, and a line combo of Malkin Crosby and Hossa is extremely scary to think about. But we all know that Hossa is far from a clutch playoffs player, and that’s exactly what Pittsburgh acquired him for. They had to give up two great kids in Christensen and Armstrong, another prospect with great potential in Esposito, AND a first round pick. Pittsburgh prides itself on being a young team, but they just mortgaged a lot of their future. — Imber
The Pittsburgh Predators. How on EARTH do you offer this deal!? I had to look twice, I could have sworn Kovalchuck wasn’t being dealt, and he WASN’T! FOR HOSSA!? Oh my where the hell do I start? Ok let me take a breath and relax. I don’t care if Hossa was “The best thing” on the market, you send Armstrong, Christensen, and a draft pick, that seems reasonable, but no… They added a player who for most of last year was the clear cut number 1 draft pick, dropped in the ranks a bit because he lost his best wingman in Radulov, nobody takes a chance on him, lands perfectly in the Pens lap, and they DEAL HIM AND ANOTHER FIRST ROUND PICK!? For a rental who is going to play like he overdosed on horse tranquilizers soon as the playoffs hit. Shame on the Penguins when they do not win the cup after giving up these players. Good on Atlanta, I congratulate them, really makes up for that Tkachuck deal last year. — Pogo
Montreal Canadiens. I know they have an up-and-coming goalie in Carey Price, but being in the playoff picture with his inexperience might prove costly; trade away your number 1 goaltender for a 2nd round draft pick? Bonehead. — Weill
Hmm… I’d have to say Mats Sundin. The relations between him and the Leafs are really going south. After the season’s over, I think that he’ll finally get sick of Toronto and waive his no trade clause. — Blueser
I am going to go out of the loop and say Florida Panthers a fifth for Belak???
I know I know its only a fifth, but its Belak…… I mean seriously they could have found anybody to play 2 mins or less a night. Then to go trade a third for Kilger, who immediately takes a leave of abscense. I don’t know what they were thinking on this one and while its all said and done Jokinen is still on the team. Ollie has to be pissed that not only he did not go to a contender, but the pedestrian moves are going to elminate the hopes for the Panthers…… While teams like Washington and Atlanta made some moves for depth and impact. — Rick
Adam Foote. I know most would be expecting to hear about a GM here, but I am officially calling out Adam Foote for his antics in Columbus. Not only did he abandon his team for a million bucks a season, but he embarrassed himself, and his reputation as a quality veteran in the NHL. When you are offered 6 million, and ask for 8.. You better be ready to accept 7 million with a smile on your face. — Dan
Which player now do you think will get moved before the NHL Draft and why?
Honestly, and unfortunately, I still think this is Olli Jokinen. We know that the chances the Panthers make the playoffs this year are slim and none. With another non-playoff appearence, Martin will hopefully be gone. Florida, without a pick in either of the first two rounds, will be desperate to get back into this heavily talented draft. Teams will definitely pay a high price for Jokinen, and I think Florida will pull the trigger, in hopes of building an elite team of youth. — Imber
Going back to what I was saying earlier, I say Olli Jokinen gets dealt, why not? He will have 1 year left on his contract, They can send him to Pittsburgh for Staal, Fluery and Whitney should they resign Hossa. — Pogo
This draft is deep, so I’d expect a few names to float around so teams can climb up the draft board. I don’t have a name, but look for somebody out of the East, some one that is older, and is still worth a high draft pick. — Weill
Hmm… I’d have to say Mats Sundin. The relations between him and the Leafs are really going south. After the season’s over, I think that he’ll finally get sick of Toronto and waive his no trade clause. — Blueser
Kubina hands down…… he rejected an offer to waive his NTC and the contract has a clasue that if the Leafs miss the playoffs he can be moved between the draft and FA period. He spurned TML’s attempt to trade him to SJ and know they will definately move him. — Rick
I am going to go a different route with this and say Marty Havlat. If Chicago is smart, they will try and offload the injury prone six million dollar forward before the real deals start showing up, and they are most certainly going to pay for it in the return. He will do well on a team that can either build around his style of play, or let him slip under the radar like Max Afinogenov in Buffalo. Either way, Chicago is better off without that waste of cap space, and they are quickly learning that fact. — Dan
Over/Under (1 goes bye-bye)
Marian Hossa will get 25 points for the Pens.
I think this has to be over. He has to average a little over one point a game, and his production doesn’t usually drop until playoff time. Playing with Malkin, and eventually Crosby, should be more than enough to see Hossa’s numbers skyrocket.
— Imber
Over — Pogo
Over. Hossa will make an immediate impact on the currently-Crosby-less Penguins. Also expect to see Malkin’s number go down a little bit, but not much. — Weill
Under — Blueser
Under. No not gonna happen….. even without the injury…. not enough pucks to go around in Pittsburgh once Crosby comes back to get that many points. — Rick
Under. Marian Hossa wll struggle in their system, and if he does happen to play with Sid and Evgeni, I believe he will fall behind his standard and sit right around a point per game to finish the year. Some players thrive on playing with other playmakers. I feel like there will be a lot of pressure on him to ‘save’ their offensive question mark, I don’t personally think he is up to the task. — Dan
Brad Richards will get 15 for the Stars.
I’m going to say just under. Dallas is a team that’s played one of the most games in the league right now, and Richards would need to average about a point a game. Dallas will win a lot, but I see a few low scoring affairs. — Imber
Under — Pogo
Under. This guy has money, what else does he want? He’ll underachieve (not hard to do with that contract) as long as he is with the Stars. He needs to be shipped closer to his hometown. The day you see this happen, the day his productivity goes up.
— Weill
Over — Blueser
Yes I think he will finish in the 20-25 point range with Stars. Over — Rick
Well over. Richards was made for Dallas hockey, and his play making abilities will most definitely be his greatest asset. I fully expect him to put up better numbers than Hossa. — Dan
Cristobal Huet will get 8 wins for the Caps.
I’ll go over on this one. Washington is going to need to win at least 10 or so games for the rest of the season to have a legit shot at the playoffs, and I know Huet will be in net for most of the remaining games. — Imber
Over — Pogo
Under. Playing for a club around .500 doesn’t help Huet with 18 games left to go; But that’s not the biggest issue here. Huet will platoon the starting job with Olie Kolzig and will lose a start or 2 to back-up Brent Johnson before the year is over. Kolzig will get more home starts, unless Huet gets a exceptionally hot streak in Washington, because this could be Kolzig’s last year; Many fans (and Olie) would love for him to go out playing games for the Caps, not on the bench with a baseball hat on.
— Weill
Under. They’re in a good place with Olie Kolzig. — Blueser
I think so Washington has been playing very good with Crap goaltending, now with a good one 8 wins should be accesible. Over. — Rick
Over. I am thinking he starts most of the games for the Caps for the rest of the year, and I will be personally surprised if he doesn’t win 80% of them. With as talented of an offensive core that team has, he will only need to be sharp in the early stages of each game. — Dan
THE SCORES
Imber — 43
Pogo — 37
Weill — 39
Blueser — 32
Rick — 42
Dan — 44
Well now it is time to say goodbye for Blueser as he is low man on this totem pole…so like a Cam Janssen right fist to the head…..he is eliminated!!!
On to the next round!!!!
Out of Bounds (1 more goes bye bye)
Some have said all these NTC’s would horribly impact the trade deadline….were they Out Of Bounds in saying that?
I don’t think so. In fact, I think they were dead on. Look how many players refused to waive their clauses. Sundin, among others, may have set Toronto back a few prospects by not waiving his, and Kolzig gives his team a three goalie logjam. I don’t think these players are wrong in what they have decided, but it definitely put the kibash on many deals this year. — Imber
No, unlike Matts Sundin who will be kicking himself in the ass 20 years from now for not doing so, there are ways around a NTC, cut the players ice time, those threats usually go over well. Still in a way they were Right, Richards is an example was one who waived it, Yet Kaberle and Sundin, two players that teams were interested in refused to do so. I think there could have been a lot more drama around the NHL if they chose to waive it. — Pogo
No, of course not. You guys saw all of the deals that were done. However, I do see that it can badly impact the trade deadline. Without the no-trade clause, Sundin would have been out of Toronto and Kolzig out of Washington. These clauses can hurt a team trying to deal away somebody that they could get return for something instead of nothing. For the rumor starters and drama seekers, I’m sure they love that the no-trade clause is apart of the league. — Weill
Critics have every right to say so….. this year more so then ever players were able to dictate their destinations. Starting with TML…. Tucker, Sundin, Kabs and Kubina all rejected trades or declined to even consider waiving their options. That is 4 impact players there. Rob Blake had a small list of teams that he would go to as did Foote. If not for his NTC Foote could have ended up in NYC with the Blueshirts. Blake in Detriot instead of Stuart. Then Brad Richards basically got to decide where he wanted to play. He could have went to Columbus, but instead decided that he would accept a trade to Dallas. Hell even Redden rejected a trade…. That is 9 players not including Bryan Mccabe who said he would go to only The Isles, that potentially could have made this an even more interesting trade deadline and changed the overall face of this years playoff push. — Rick
If anything, NTCs made the deadline a smaller impact that what it could be, which does a few things. First, it shows which players are willing to relocate just for a cup opportunity, and who is willing to show team loyalty to stick around. Guys like Redden, Blake, Kaberle and Sundin are perfect examples of this. While this is a good thing to see, it could also be costing their respective teams the opportunity to build their prospect pool. Also, it stopped the NHL from being a get in the playoffs or sell type league, which definitely benefits the fans, as players stick around rather than getting bounced around. If it wasn’t clear, my opinion is no, they are not out of bounds, and if anything, it benefits the NHL to have NTCs. — Dan
THE SCORES
Imber — 7
Pogo — 5
Weill — 6
Rick — 8
Dan — 8
Well sadly it is time to say goodbye to Pogo….who will now have more time to save his Flyers this season….Bye bye Pogo!!!
We are now down to the final 4…on to the showdown!!!!
The Final Showdown (After Each of the 3 questions…1 will be eliminated till there is an individual winner)
1. Which team will make the biggest jump in the standings because of their trade deadline moves (it can be up or down)?
I’m debating between Colorado and Washington, but Colorado is going to benefit also more from being healthy. Since the question asks BECAUSE of their deadline moves, I’ll go with Washington. The Caps went out and got themselves a number one goalie, and a great veteran forward to lead an extremely young team. They also got a hard working grinder in Matt Cooke. They filled a lot of holes at the deadline, and I really think they are a darkhorse contender the rest of the way out.
— Imber
Pittsburgh went out and got some big names, however, I’m going to have to say Washington. The 3 major deals they pulled at the deadline only mean that they are in this for the playoffs (which they currently are out of). Not only this, but they beat the Wild shorthanded on the day of the deals, so the heart of the players that played, will hopefully mean good when the new acquisitions get in town. — Weill
I think Washington makes the biggest jump with the 3 moves that they made they added toughness, leadership and most importantly goaltending they are going to win the SE Title after starting off among the worse in the league, many thought they would sell, however they went out and decided to make the necessary improvements to make them not only a playoff team, but a team that can ruffle some feathers once they are there. — Rick
Washington. They took the biggest stab at the pot, and are clearly showing an interest in becoming a contender in the Easter Conference. With the addition of Huet alone, they are without a doubt the most improved team in the conference after the 26th, and I believe that will be prevalent during the playoffs as well. — Dan
THE SCORES
Imber — 6
Weill — 7
Rick — 8
Dan — 7
Sadly we have to say goodbye to Imber…..a great performance indeed but now like Olli Jokinen…it is time to get the golf bags ready…..sorry!! On to the next question.
2. Which GM faces the biggest heat after the deadline?
Vancouver GM Dave Nonis. They needed somebody. They got somebody all right, but it was Matt Pettinger, who was having less than superb season in Washington. Nonis may have cost his team a playoff birth with the non-moves he made. — Weill
I really think it is Shero….. if his team does not make at least the Conference finals after this trade, he will be tarred and feathered. He was playing at the rollers table and he bet the farm…. — Rick
It is a toss up between Murray, Regier, and Gainey. While each made their mistake, none really stand out. Murray not finding a solution to the goaltending issue, Regier being incapable of signing an emotional Brian Campbell to a career long contract, and Gainey for basically handing his starting goaltender to another team for a second round pick. All will have to seriously prove their worth before they regain the trust of upper management. All 3 do. — Dan
THE SCORES
Weill — 7
Rick — 8
Dan — 9
Well the Capitals have made a meteoric rise with some of their moves but Weill has not….he has now been sent out of the phone booth with no cell phone service….he has been eliminated!!!
With that…the team winner is the trio of Pogo, Rick and Danada….now to find an individual winner…on to….
THE FINAL QUESTION
3. Who will represent the East And West in the Stanley Cup Finals? Who will ultimately win Lord Stanley’s Cup?
In the east its anyones ballgame…. I still feel it will be the Habs they have been on a role even in the wake of the Huet trade, Price is going to be the wunderkind of the Playoffs. Call out the Roy and Dryden comparisions now…..
I think its gonna be the Stars…. the addition of Brad Richards is going to be huge. He is proven in the playoffs. They have the veterans in Modano and Barnes ot add the grit nessecary to make a run. The defense with Boucher and when Zubov comes back watch out. I also think this might be the year that Turco can put a run together. He played ok last year and was the only reason Dallas stuck around with Vancouver as long as they did. Ultimately though I think the depth of the Habs pull out the CUP and it is returned to the Birth Place of hockey in a series that goes seven. Ultimately the difference will be the energy of the young Habs combined with the veteran hunger of Kovalev and Koivu to get the ring. Also a sidenote for the first time in NHL history a European Captain will be the first to lit the CUP — Rick
I am unbiased in the West, and am willing to take Dallas this year. They have a strong addition in Richards, and the leadership and direction to get passed all other teams in the West. In the East, I never fail to have confidence in my Senators, but I truly think if Price can find his confidence and tenacity, the Canadiens are the team to beat for that word alone. Team. They play a tight and consistent team game with very few gaps, and will make Dallas work very hard to overcome their system. I say Montreal in a 7 game low scoring grueler. — Dan
THE SCORES
Rick — 9
Dan — 8
Well well well….we have a 2 time HATH winner for the first time….congrats to Rick. I think he wanted to say he is still the man and STILL the alpha male of the Northeast Division. Dan put up an awfully valiant fight but again falls just short on the final question.
Look for Rick’s facetime on one of his upcoming blogs. But again I just wanted to thank everyone who made this all possible..the judges, participants, and everyone else who had some input. Thank you and good night! See you in a couple weeks where once again…four will enter but only one will come out the winner.
