Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - February 25th, 2011 - Opinion 250 - News for Northern and Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada

Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - February 25th, 2011

Friday, February 25, 2011 03:45 AM

I cannot remember another year where there have been so many significant deals prior to the NHL trade deadline.

With the many transactions that have already taken place, one wonders how many more prominent trades hockey fans can expect on Monday which is the deadline day.

At the 2010 deadline, there were 31 deals involving 55 players. The General Managers appear to have a why wait until the very last moment attitude this year.
“I think when you get to the trading deadline it’s kind of like a stampede. There’s a lot of milling around and a lot of confusion. I think it’s much more difficult to act with clarity and purpose at the deadline. It’s almost like a party with a piñata, everyone’s going for one player and everyone’s swinging at it,” stated Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke.

Basically, Burke and other NHL executives feel that the “sellers” will receive more from the “buyers” by making a deal prior to February 28th. One thing which has become increasingly clear is that nearly every team out of the playoff race, will trade players that will be unrestricted free agents in the off-season. In other words, it is better to get something now than nothing in the summer. Ex Prince George Cougars defenceman Eric Brewer (St Louis to Tampa) and the underappreciated Tomas Kaberle (Toronto to Boston) are prime examples.

The Leafs and Ottawa Senators are the two Canadian teams that have been extremely active as sellers. Ottawa, a team in the midst of a disastrous season, is in a complete re-build mode. Toronto, destined for yet for another non-playoff year, has been acquiring assets such as draft picks, which seem to go against the original Burke philosophy of trying to compete now (however, there is still time to flip those picks into other acquisitions).

Since they are at the bottom of the Western Conference standings again, the Oilers will be sellers with the speculation that forwards such as Dustin Penner, and Shawn Horcoff are available.

The Montreal Canadiens are in a good position to make the playoffs and should be buyers, particularly looking for help on the blue-line and size up front.

When the Calgary Flames were sitting 14th in the West last month, it appeared they would be sellers, but now that they are in contention for a playoff spot, the philosophy of GM Jay Feester has likely changed. I would suspect the Flames will stand pat or add a depth player.

Now, this brings us to the Vancouver Canucks. Being top in the NHL and positioned for their best run in many years, the team does not need many, if any, changes. Canucks GM Mike Gillis was recently quoted as saying, "I don't know why we would (deal a player off our main roster). We're in first place, and we've lost maybe the most man games of any team in the league. I can't see a circumstance where we're trading a player off our roster at this point in time.”

Although the Canucks have three solid lines, they could add grit and/or toughness to the 4^th line. So, a tweak, perhaps, here and there, but certainly nothing to “upset the apple cart”.

I am not sure there is an exact science to the trade deadline. Sometimes you are “damned if you do, and damned if you don’t”.

Earlier in the season, the Dallas Stars appeared to be destined for a playoff position but now they are on the bubble. Even if they make the post-season, are they legitimate Cup contenders? I think the consensus is they are not. If the Stars management believe this isn’t the year, then maybe trading their top player, Brad Richards (battling a concussion), who will be a UFA on July 1st, makes sense. Then again, this could turn out to be a political nightmare and may be wise to not try selling this kind of move to their supporters.

Fans usually think short-term. Remember only one team out of 30 wins the Stanley Cup in June. That’s why smart long-term planning can often be in the best interest of many franchises. As long as this philosophy, doesn’t translate into 40 plus years.

From the Quote Rack:

A Jewish soccer team was suspended from its league for fielding players from other religions under fake names. Officials became suspicious when a Watchtower magazine was found in the team's locker room.

The Carnegie Deli in New York has introduced the Carmelo Anthony Sandwich. But to make room for it on the menu, the Denver Omelette was sent to Elaine's.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

Criticizing Blake Griffin’s All-Star car dunk, 41-year-old Shawn Kemp said he could jump over two smart cars.
And, still have enough left in him to impregnate women in the back of each.

In a recent Central Hockey League game, a Colorado Eagles coach, angry at a ref’s call, stripped off his clothes and threw them on the ice. This lends new meaning to a team “changing on the fly”.
Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

A blockbuster, 3D version of Snow White will begin filming in Montreal this spring at a cost of $150 million. Julia Roberts was just confirmed for the part of the Evil Queen. Seven Montreal Canadiens will play the dwarfs.

Jeopardy-winning supercomputer Watson made an error in naming Toronto a U.S. city. An even bigger mistake: it thought the Raptors were an NBA team.
www.Sportsdeke.com

The NBA’s Sacramento Kings are thinking of moving to the Honda Center in Anaheim. Well, as far as title hopes, or even playoff hopes, perhaps they just want to be closer to their spiritual home – Fantasyland.

Michael Vick canceled his appearance on “Oprah,” but also apparently has been receiving some inquiries about a possible appearance on “the View.” Great, so he may be going from dog fighting to cat fighting.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

D.C. United has re-acquired Brazilian midfielder Fred from the New England Revolution, for a second-round draft pick. And a player to be surnamed later.
Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sidelinechatter/

And in case you missed it:

Boeing's Chairman James McNerney announced plans for Boeing to build a super-luxurious new passenger airliner. The company has christened the jumbo jet the Dream liner. They say it can seat up to four hundred people, or two hundred Americans.

Comedian Argus Hamilton

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.

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