In the span of a few hours, the Los Angeles Kings made a bold statement on their preferred direction, while Calgary Flames General Manager Jay Feaster did the same, in a different way.
The Deal: To
The Kings can’t score. It’s been their biggest problem all season, and one would think, it’s not from lack of personnel. If Carter can spark the offense, and get best buddy Mike Richards going in the process (which is a very real possibility) this could be a very good nice add for the Kings. They’ve lost five in a row, the last two in disasterous fashion to the Coyotes and Avalanche, but if a spark is what they needed, you’d still have to think that the Kings are the odds on favorite to grab the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
The Flames meanwhile, injuries and all, had pieced together a nifty eight game point streak to keep themselves in the conversation, and for a three-day span, even in the eight spot. An ugly 6-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers and a sloppy 4-3 shootout loss to the Phoenix Coyotes quickly quelled any good feelings that Jay Feaster may have had. His quote Thursday night in the second intermission spoke volumes:
Feaster: “As we go into Monday, coming off of what was an absolute debacle here on Tuesday night, expecting our team to come out with a lot of jump and energy tonight, and I’m not seeing it.”
“Here we sit tied at two after two, and
honestly I can’t tell that the team in red tonight is the team that needs two
points. Last year with the run that we
made after the end of December, I really felt the team deserved the opportunity
to stay together, and obviously we fell short.
So last year, you fooled me, and shame on you. This year if you fool me, shame on me. “
“If we don’t show a whole lot more urgency
heading into Monday, you guys (media) will be busy on Monday as it relates to
the goings on in Calgary
- Safe to say, the Calgary Flames will be sellers. But to what extent? Olli Jokinen and Scott Hannan are both likely bets to move elsewhere, while players like Cory Sarich, Tom Kostopolous, and Tim Jackman may not even have any suitors. Could the Flames pull the unthinkable and deal one of their core players such as Miikka Kiprusoff? Odds are no, but there is a growing sentiment it has to happen, and his value is high.
- Safe to say, the Calgary Flames will be sellers. But to what extent? Olli Jokinen and Scott Hannan are both likely bets to move elsewhere, while players like Cory Sarich, Tom Kostopolous, and Tim Jackman may not even have any suitors. Could the Flames pull the unthinkable and deal one of their core players such as Miikka Kiprusoff? Odds are no, but there is a growing sentiment it has to happen, and his value is high.
Meanwhile, four teams who are all securely
in playoff spots had the opportunity for a litmus test to see where they were
heading into deadline weekend, as the Canucks took on the Red Wings and the
Blues played host to the Preds. The
result? Nobody batted an eye. The Canucks took out the Wings in a shootout
in perhaps the game of the season, ending Detroit
I thought maybe a few of these four would get an indication of just what they may need to add at the deadline, but I don’t think there was any hard and fast evidence any which-way. The Canucks are said to be kicking tires on Steve Ott, while St.Louis may be in the mix for another blueliner when Kris Russell went down.
Fell like making a Stanley Cup wager? Courtesy of www.bodog.ca, here are the updated odds for teams in the West to win the whole ball of wax come playoff time.
Detroit – 11/2
Vancouver – 11/2
St.louis – 12/1
Chicago – 14/1
San Jose – 14/1
Nashville – 18/1
Los Angeles – 30/1
Phoenix – 40/1 I thought maybe a few of these four would get an indication of just what they may need to add at the deadline, but I don’t think there was any hard and fast evidence any which-way. The Canucks are said to be kicking tires on Steve Ott, while St.Louis may be in the mix for another blueliner when Kris Russell went down.
Fell like making a Stanley Cup wager? Courtesy of www.bodog.ca, here are the updated odds for teams in the West to win the whole ball of wax come playoff time.
St.louis – 12/1
Chicago – 14/1
San Jose – 14/1
Calgary – 50/1
Dallas – 50/1
Anaheim – 65/1
Colorado – 75/1
Minnesota – 80/1
For my money: A few dollars on the Predators at 18/1 may be your best value bet. Or, if you’re a believer in Dean Lombardi’s Jeff Carter trade, a 30/1 shot on the Kings could be schrewd.
Who’s Hot?
Jordan Eberle- Oilers – Three points in a win over
Radim Vrbata – Coyotes – Maybe this year’s most underrated player. Hit the 30 goal plateau for the first time in his career. Where would Phoenix be without him?
Mike Fisher – Preds – 21 points in his last 20 games. Getting him from Ottawa last year for a first round pick looks like a steal
Mike Ribiero – Stars – A huge overtime goal against the Flames, a big goal in his old stomping grounds in Montreal, and two points in a big comeback win over Chicago. If he is indeed on the trade block in Dallas, his stock is rising daily.
No comments:
Post a Comment