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The Sports Network
Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - The NHL trade deadline on Feb. 27 promises to
be one of the most compelling deadline days in years, but not so much if you
happen to be a fan of one of the seven teams north of the border.
Among the big names rumored in play this season include Columbus' Rick Nash
and Jeff Carter, Anaheim's Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan, Phoenix's Shane Doan
and Washington's Alexander Semin, but don't expect any of them to be swapping
zip codes for postal codes in the near future.
Only one Canadian team - Vancouver - has virtually guaranteed itself of a spot
in the postseason picture, but the Canucks are nowhere in the discussion when
it comes to one of the marquee names floating around.
Vancouver would ideally like to add a top-four defenseman or a power forward
before the deadline, but it's hamstrung by salary cap concerns and is not
likely to part with backup netminder Cory Schneider, who is the Canucks'
biggest asset in a potential deal. Mason Raymond's name also has come up in
trade speculation.
Toronto has been floated as a potential destination for Nash and would have
the ability to maneuver his contract into its lineup, but the Maple Leafs
simply don't possess the assets Columbus will demand in return for dealing
away its poster boy - namely an elite forward (with the exception of Phil
Kessel), a blue-chip prospect and a franchise netminder to replace the
struggling Steve Mason.
The Leafs are barely hanging on to a spot in the top eight in the Eastern
Conference and may be in selling mode by the time the deadline rolls around.
Their 6-2 spanking at the hands of the Canucks on Saturday should quash any
thoughts about them being a legitimate Cup contender even with the addition of
Nash or another top-tier forward.
Selling season has already begun in Montreal with the Canadiens shipping
defenseman Hal Gill to the Nashville Predators last Friday. They'll be trying
to move out several more impending unrestricted free agents before the
deadline in forwards Andrei Kostitsyn and Travis Moen and defenseman Chris
Campoli.
Meanwhile, a major fire sale is expected in Edmonton with Ales Hemsky at the
top of the exodus list.
Calgary and Ottawa are likely to remain in a holding pattern through the
deadline with the exception of perhaps a few minor upgrades with playoff spots
within grasp, but not to the point where they'd be willing to mortgage the
future.
Winnipeg has done an admirable job sticking around in the playoff
conversation, but the Jets are more likely to go the route of a seller as
opposed to be a deadline buyer.
The last Canadian team to add a marquee player at the deadline was the Calgary
Flames, who plucked top-line center Olli Jokinen from the Coyotes back in
2009.
Jokinen had eight goals and 15 points in 19 regular-season games down the
stretch for the Flames, guiding them to a fifth-place finish in the Western
Conference. He was the team leader in playoff points that season, notching
five points (2-3-5) in six games in their opening-round series loss to the
Chicago Blackhawks.
The Sports Network