With the seventh overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Carolina Hurricanes select…

Brandon Gormley

For the most part the Canes looked like they would select a forward but with Gormley available they simply could not pass. This defenseman holds a high-end offensive pedigree posting 9 goals and 43 points in 58 games with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL.  With Jamie McBain already on the major league roster, the Canes would look great on the backend for years down the road.

Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Editor-in-chief
amonaghan@nhlhotstove.com
@NHLHotStove

We got your fix right here.

We go live tomorrow with our 2009-2010 NHL season wrap-up show.

Be sure to tune in live with us tomorrow from 1-3 p.m. EST.

The Hockey Guys on Blog Talk Radio – link for show tomorrow. Chat room will open approximately 5 minutes prior to show’s puck drop.

The Sellers is a weekly column presented by NHLHotStove that will discuss all the rumblings and situations surrounding the teams that will most likely miss the playoffs.

Heading up to the March 3rd trade deadline, keep an eye out here for the bottom eight to ten teams in the league that will be known as “sellers”.

We have come to that time of year in the glorious 2009-10 National Hockey League season where general managers have some serious decisions to make.

In taking a look around the NHL there are currently two teams who could be in absolute sell mode. The one team we will touch on today is the Carolina Hurricanes who sit dead last in the Eastern Conference and are 16 points out of a playoff position.

In researching the roster, a few names automatically stand out.  Ray Whitney, Joe Corvo, Matt Cullen, Rod Brind’Amour and Scott Walker to name a few.

Keep in mind GM Jim Rutherford came on 99.9 The Fan recently stating 50 percent of this roster will change next season”.  This percentage would be a complete turn around from the on-ice product of this season. Rutherford’s words were recently analyzed by Bob Harwood Waeghe of Canes Country, in which they named players who could move before this trade deadline.

For a team looking for a playoff push any of the aforementioned would make quite the acquisition. However, when you listen to Rutherford’s words, there will be more names involved.

Stephane Yelle, Niclas Wallin and Aaron Ward could also make to be beneficial names for experience and role players that are needed to solidify a clubs playoff appearance.  Walker, Whitney and Wallin have no-trade clauses and would need to approve any move the Hurricanes try to make. Wallin already exercised his right to veto a trade last summer.

Let’s break down the value of the players and what a team could potentially acquire.

Ray Whitney: LW – UFA – 37 As an unrestricted free agent at seasons end, and coming at a discount with a pro-rated salary from his $3.550 cap hit could make for that playmaker on the left side a lot of top lines around the league would benefit from. Whitney has 27 points in 39 games played this season.

Scott Walker: RW – 1 year- 35 At only 35 years old and with one year remaining on his contract, the affordable and experienced winger could slide into a team’s top six. Currently injured, Walker only has 5 points in 32 games. Although his scoring is down in Carolina this year, his playoff and veteran experience would be a welcome addition to many clubs around the league.

Joe Corvo: D – UFA – 32 Known for his power play abilities on the blue line, Corvo makes for a good puck moving d-man.  Corvo has 12 points in 27 games played but is also currently injured.

Matt Cullen: C – UFA – 32 Cullen plays the power play point for Carolina, and is a very responsible two way forward.  He can win crucial faceoffs in both the offensive and defensive zones. A cap hit of $2.875 might seem high now, but remember, as March comes closer that number changes significantly.  If the New York Rangers were able to acquire Andrew Hutchinson, Joe Barnes and a 3rd round pick in 2008, a similar return for Carolina this year is not far off.

I would not expect to see Jussi Jokinen, Erik Cole, Joni Pitkanen and obviously Cam Ward as well as the youth core of the team moved.

In conclusion, you can look for the teams sitting in the top nine or ten positions in each conference to give a boost to their lineups. Some teams will use it as an opportunity to gain experience to head not only into the playoffs but make a run for the cup.

The only teams that would be left out of this equation would be the cap strapped teams like the Philadelphia Flyers or  Chicago Blackhawks who should shy away from making a substantial moves for some of the bigger available names.  Even Ray Whitney with a pro rated salary would still be too expensive to acquire in monetary value.

Remember, in a seven game series anything is possible.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @ACHockeyGuys

…with all that cap room?

With the loan of Michael Nylander to Grand Rapids of the NHL, the Capitals gained financial flexibility which should allow them to acquire some help in areas they deem necessary.  As of this writing, the Caps 24 wins lead the League making the average fan ask: How can they possibly get better?

Corey Masisak of The Washington Times lists five speculative picks that would bolster this team as they prepare for a lengthy playoff campaign.  As the team stands there is little need for improvement but one could make a case for another top defender.

As we know from our history watching the playoffs, depth is key.  The team’s current construction has featured numerous players shifting up and down the teams forward lines as coach Bruce Boudreau dealt with injuries and juggling in order to find the proper mix.  Still Masisak believes the most glaring need is this top defenseman. His solution: Scott Niedermayer.

Niedermayer currently captains the Anaheim Ducks and has lead them, as well as his former team the New Jersey Devils, to the Stanley Cup.  In addition, this may be the last year in the NHL for the 36-year-old.  Although he only has three goals on the season, he would become a powerful weapon on the Washington powerplay, something dreams are made of.  He along with Mike Green would give them two elite puck-moving defensemen which would be incredibly dangerous for this already powerful offense.

Eric Stephens of The OC Register’s Ducks Blog writes GM Bob Murray is in no rush to deal.  In fact, if Murray deems the Ducks still in contention he will not move a defenseman, but move to solidify his current core. Gutting the blue line of its most solid defender as well as leader certainly would not bolster the teams chances. Combine that with a hefty 6.750 million cap hit and the chances of seeing Niedermayer in a Capitals uniform certainly appears slim.

The next item on Masisak’s list would be Keith Tkachuk a staple of the Blues organization.  As of this writing the Blues forced the fewest goals leaguewide and are actively seeking help.  Inconsistent efforts from David Perron, Patrik Berglund, David Backes and T.J.Oshie leaves this team in desperate need for a scorer.  Unless the Capitals can offer the Blues a player who puts the puck in the net, the Blues would be reluctant to part with Tkachuk.  However, if the team falls out of the race completely I can see the veteran either parting for one last playoffs or retiring quickly after the season.  So with this one it is more of a wait and see.

Possibly the most intriguing option discussed would be defenseman Dan Hamhuis.  As we recently mentioned, the Predators are winning so sellers they are not.  An unrestricted free agent after this season, Hamhuis may test the free agency waters which could be enough to scare David Poile.  The smart move would be to trade Hamhuis for a young top six forward.

Such a move fits this particular general managers modus operandi, as Poille constantly looks to get better while getting younger.  With Ryan Suter and Shea Weber already signed and callups Cody Franson and Alexander Sulzer able to take regular NHL shifts, Hamhuis is expendable and could be moved.  However, would the Capitals have the capitol to land Hamhuis or would they have to part with someone like Tomas Fleischmann.

As for the last two (three technically) players listed, I see slim to little chance of the Capitals acquiring Joe Corvo, Jordan Leopold or Ilya Kovalchuk.  As mentioned crazier things have happened but none of these teams have incentive to trade within their division.  Personally I see the Caps making a move for another depth forward and a top four defenseman.  Who exactly they will make a move for is uncertain but we should see clear buyers and sellers emerge shortly after the New Year.  Definitely will be a hot topic from now up until the trade deadline as arguably the most powerful team in the league boasts some hefty cap room.

Hope you enjoyed our latest trade rumors feature. You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.

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-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com

Earlier today, TSN’s Bob MacKenzie reported Michael Ryan was placed on waivers.  The 29-year-old left wing sustained a concussion during pre-season and remains out of the lineup since.  It was rumored that Ryan would need a conditioning assignment before returning to the team but now it appears he is officially deemed expendable.

Similar to Jeremy Reich and PA Parenteau, most fans regard the Boston native as a career minor leaguer.  Rightfully so, as the former Dallas Stars selection played parts of five distinct seasons in the minors. Similar to Reich and Parenteau I expect Ryan to clear and be reassigned to Albany.

Over 83 career NHL games, Ryan has seven goals and eight assists with the Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres.

Hope you enjoyed our latest trade rumors feature. You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.

Follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates

-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com

We at NHLHS are proud to pat ourselves on the back.  As reported, Hurricanes backup Michael Leighton is now the Flyers backup.  Yesterday we discussed the merits of Leighton going through re-entry waivers and PREDICTED the backup going to either the Flyers or Rangers.  Really glad we got this one right.

Yesterday we also predicted Aaron Ward and PA Parenteau clearing waivers.  Both of these players did today as expected.  Ward will stay with the Hurricanes while Parenteau rejoins the Hartford Wolfpack.  The Rangers sorely missed the latter as he was responsible for both of their shootout wins and they failed to score entirely in the skills competition last night.

Ward may have some league-wide interest if he is to go through re-entry waiver at half the price (1.25 cap hit).

Hope you enjoyed our latest trade rumors feature. You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.

Follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates

-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com

Two players were placed on waivers today, Aaron Ward and PA Parenteau.  Yesterday, goaltender Michael Leighton was placed on re-entry waivers.  Lets take a further look at these players and the value they may have around the league.

Ward according to most Hurricanes fans has been terrible.  That, however, means little when you play on one of the worst teams in the league.  His contract expires at the end of the season and he carries a hefty 2.5 million cap hit.  Teams like the New York Islanders or Columbus Blue Jackets have a strong need for another defender, but they just recently passed on Lukas Krajicek at almost half his cap hit.

As TSN’s Bob MacKenzie speculates, there may be more interest if he goes through re-entry waivers.Ward is a multiple Stanley Cup winner and should add a welcome addition to either team’s blueline.

Leighton sees re-entry waivers as he now is the third man out.  Not starting a game until the end of October, the 28-year-old struggled to find his game winning only one game in seven appearances.

With teams like the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers needing a solid veteran backup, Leighton may get claimed.  The claiming team, however, would be banking on the fact that the 28-year-old is simply a result of struggling team and not diminishing talent.

Parenteau’s demotion is a bit disappointing.  The 26-year-old produced four points in 14 games playing primarily third and fourth line minutes.  A star in the AHL, it would be interesting to see if he is claimed considering he carries a meager 500K cap hit.  Still he is a diminutive forward who has very little value on a non-scoring line.

How many teams have a need for a career AHL player to play on their scoring lines?

Hope you enjoyed our latest trade rumors feature. You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.

Follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates

-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com

TSN’s Bob MacKenzie reports the news around the waiver wire.  The Florida Panthers placed defenseman Ville Koistinen on re-entry waivers.  His cap hit is a meager 1.2 million, which if claimed would be split by both the claiming team and the Panthers.  In 17 games with Florida the 27-year-old has one goal and three assists.  In 103 career games between his team and Nashville the Finn has 8 goals and 24 assists.

As we predicted yesterday, Jeremy Reich and Michael Leighton cleared waivers.

In other news, the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues made a minor move.  The Blues get Pascal Pelletier while the Blue Jackets receive Brendan Bell and Tomas Kana.

The largest part of the deal seems to be Bell.  The 26-year-old defenseman posted 17 points in 21 games with the Blues AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen.  The former Leaf draft pick played 53 games last year with the Ottawa Senators and was recently selected by Hockey Canada to represent his country in the Spengler Cup.

Kana has 6 assists with the ECHL Alaska Aces.

In Pelletier, the Blues get a centerman with mild success in the AHL.  In 25 games with the Syracuse Crunch, the Blue Jackets AHL affiliate, the 26-year-old posted 16 points.  He did play seven games last year with the Chicago Blackhawks in which he was held scoreless.

Seems like a my nothing for your nothing type move, made to spread out the depth within the organization.  Time will tell if there was any NHL talent actually exchanged.

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-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com

Chris Botta of Islanders Point Blank runs down the Islanders need for a new defenseman in his latest entry.  A few main points from the article:

• Injuries: Radek Martinek out for the season.  Andy Sutton out at least two more games.
• Depth: Rookie Andrew MacDonald already plays 12 minutes a game.  Brendan Witt is a team worst minus 15.  Dustin Kohn is the only option to be called up.
• A few players that Botta thinks would make sense: Aaron Ward, Garnett Exelby, Brent Sopel or Joe Corvo.  Botta prefers Corvo or Ward.

A move could easily be made for all these rumored available defensemen.  As I wrote earlier, I don’t think Carolina is purely in “sell-mode” yet, moving Ward will make the team younger and may even be a bit of addition by subtraction.  Getting rid of a vet not necessarily working out may wake up some other underachieving players.  I still feel Carolina will need a young defenseman coming back or will have to wait for Corvo to return from injury to replace Ward’s minutes.

Interesting to see what will happen on the Island.   They are willing to spend, which is a welcome change to a very promising young team.

Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed this feature. You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.

Follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates

-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com

Bob MacKenzie reports, via Twitter, both of these players have been placed on waivers.

According to Chip Alexander’s Canes Now starter Cam Ward is expected to play Wednesday making the Leighton expendable to the team.  In parts of three seasons with Carolina the 28-year-old held a line of 8-12-0-2 averaging a GAA of over three.  With other established backups such as Joey MacDonald and Steve Valiquette passing through waivers earlier in the year I would expect there to be few takers on the veteran.

In other news the New York Islanders also placed 30-year-old Jeremy Reich on waivers.  The Craik, Saskatchewan native did not play a game for the Isles and has six points over 99 career NHL games with the Bruins and Blue Jackets.  He was originally drafted in the 2nd round by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

Thank you for reading, we hope you enjoyed this feature. You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.

Follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates

-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com