The trade deadline is two days away and chatter is at a crazy level. Here is the latest.
Sharks should be able to keep goalies
Paul Gackle of the Mercury News writes that San Jose should not have a problem keeping Aaron Dell. His save percentage of .855 over the last five appearances has quelled any goalie controversies.
One thing is clear. San Jose just does not stack up well against the top teams in the West. While they were blown out and looked bad, they can compete for a round, maybe two.
There is nothing like an across the board regression. Think about it. The hot power play has cooled off. Team defense has been porous allowing the fifth most chances in the league since Joe Thornton was injured. It all benefits San Jose in the long run.
Craig Custance Mailbag Time
Craig Custance of The Athletic: There are lots of questions this weekend with the trade deadline. As always, Custance tries to bring the answers.
Some things are clear. The West has opened wide enough to get Bob Murray (General Manager of Anaheim) on the phones. Whether something happens is a mystery.
Arizona is up in the air on trading Niklas Hjalmarsson. Some of this is tied to Oliver Ekman-Larsson but it has been tough to read the Coyotes.
Max Pacioretty does not appear a fit for the Carolina Hurricanes as Montreal wants a young center and Carolina will not give up one of their top prospects. As for Ron Francis, the Hurricanes may not be able to land Pacioretty but they could acquire one of the Detroit wingers. They will play it to the vest until the last minute.
Mike Green is very likely on the move but the where is dicey.
Ryan McDonagh is a big piece and that would involve Tampa Bay trading prospect, Cal Foote. Green would not fetch that asking price.
Any Erik Karlsson deal involves Foote likely as well. The fact that Bobby Ryan is being tied into Karlsson rumors throws a wrench into things.
One last thing. Is Mike Green’s injury legitimate? If it is, that sends this trade deadline into another direction. Maybe a bigger defenseman does get moved after all.