Deadline primer (Central division)

[yave1964]

I am going to try to knock out a deadline primer for each of the four divisions over the next several days, starting here with the central division.

 

WINNIPEG JETS A mortal lock to make the playoffs a 4 point lead over Nashville with two games at hand for the division lead. 

 

Needs: Last year at the deadline they added Stastny as the 2C and he was solid during the run which took him to the conference final before bolting to Vegas, he has not been properly replaced. Little has been good lately but is aging and largely inconsistent. Laine has been pretty bad since the start of November and there is talk of going after another scoring winger as well but a 2C seems to be the biggest need. Brassard keeps coming up.

Trade bait: Draft picks and possibly kids, Lemieux and Appleton have done well on the 4th line, someone might ask for one of them as a return for a center. Mark Stone, a Winnipeg boy has been linked to the Jets if they decide to go after a winger.

 

NASHVILLE PREDATORS At worst, second in the division seems a certainty with a shot at the division title still possible.

 

Needs: Truthfully not much, they have added some depth pieces already and might like a middle six winger like a Vanek if they can get one on the cheap. Several places have them linked to Duchene which would be going for the homerun, they aren't afraid of that kind of trade so it is possible.

trade bait: Eeli Tolvanen is considered their top prospect, they are loathe to move him but to add Duchene it might cost both Tolvanen and Saros.

 

DALLAS STARS Looking more and more like a playoff team with every passing game.

 

NEEDS secondary scoring, they have a good duo in net, a top line, an underrated blue line but their offense is in desperate need of at least one if not two scorers. Andrei Burakovsky has been rumored on the way out in Washington and linked to either Dallas or Colorado. Another namei read was Marcus Johansson of the Devils.

TRADE BAIT Radek Faksa has never translated his game as a top six center to the NHL but is still young and talented and is rumored to be available.

 

ST LOUIS BLUES 4th in the Division and streaking. After having the worst record in all of Hockey on January first, they have been the games best team over the last six weeks.

NEEDS Secondary scoring depth and maybe another top four defender. Cody Ceci has been mentioned in recent days.

TRADE BAIT lots of solid kid forwards in guys like Kyrou, Robert Thomas and more, one of them may be dangled to add a veteran scorer or defender in the right deal.

 

MINNESOTA WILD 5th place and falling, Koivu now out for the year.

NEEDS They need time to decide if they are a buyer or seller. Less than two weeks to decide. I dont see them making a major push.

TRADE BAIT: If they decide that it is time to take a step back I think Staal who is an UFA is certainly a goner, their other free agents wont fetch much if anything. Rask may be dangled as well if they can find a suitor.

 

COLORADO AVALANCHE Six points behind the Blues and sinking fast.

NEEDS Probably ready to throw in the towel, they need to decide if they want to keep Varlamov and while this season is getting away from them secondary scoring is a must going forward.

TRADE BAIT Varly is an UFA and might be a good get for someone, Colin Wilson is an UFA and a decent third liner. Nikita Zadorov is the whipping boy on the blue line and rumored to be in play.

 

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS Before losing to the Bruins a couple of nights ago they had won 7 in a row, they are 6 points out of a playoff spot and believe they are still in it.

NEEDS a defenseman or two, a secondary scorer or two as well. They have aggressively added Strome, Perlini, Caggiulla and Koekkoek already and aren't afraid to deal.

TRADE BAIT Cam Ward with Crawford due back will be aggressively shopped to a team looking for a playoff experienced backup, they would love to find a way to move Seabrook but he aint having it. If they go on a slide over the next week look for Kunitz and Anisimov to be moved out if they can find a taker.

 

  That is the Central.