Armchair GM: Where Are The Possibilites??

With so much going on about Ilya Kovalchuk, there's still a decent amount of decent players still out on the market that haven't been picked up yet. At the same time, there's a lot of things that need to happen in order for them to get signed and many of them may have to wait until late-August/early-September for the signings to happen. In any case, here's my thoughts on some of the more prominent FAs and what needs to happen (and maybe some destinations) for them to get signed.

Marty Turco-- While no one can dispute his skill or hockey sense, the fact his salary demands could be high and his record is down (but individual stats somewhat up) are the stumbling points. Plus, he's a high-priced possibility in a position that is logjammed across the board, so he doesn't have a spot and he's priced him out of the unavailable spot. Quite the conundrum. What needs to happen is that he needs to open up his options and maybe see if he plays in a tandem situation and maybe be a mentor to the younger guys out there. Possibilities: There's really nowhere for him to go. Atlanta signed Chris Mason and will re-sign Ondrej Pavelec most likely and other places already have a solid tandem. He picked the wrong year to go on the market.

Paul Kariya-- Injury woes have brought down the former star, as well as the salary possibility. However, he could fill the role of a scorer or a role player. While his points have dropped off, he does have the ability to get back up into the scoring role if need-be, which is something that could be good if he goes to the $2M range or something of that ilk. If he's a cheap get, then people will be flocking to get Kariya. Possibilities: If the Penguins are looking for a winger to play with Sidney Crosby, then this is the pick-up for them. Kariya could dish the puck and put it in the net if need be. Even somewhere like Ottawa, if Jason Spezza is still there-- that's a place he could revitalize his scoring touch.

Jay McKee-- McKee made $800k last year and is a solid defenseman who will throw his body in front of the puck at all cost. Granted, the shot-blocker does cause a lot of injuries and he's not the most sturdiest of d-men, but at the same time; he's a guy who could go to a young defense at a cheap cost and be reliable. He just needs to get his name out there, which is something that is getting lost in the Kovy-Mania. Possibilities: Phoenix could be the way to go, as they lost Zybeck Michalek and I don't think they could rely too much on Sami Lepisto to do what McKee does, at the same price. Maybe, if he wants to stay out East, head to Carolina; who could use some extra protection in front of Cam Ward.

Alexander Frolov-- Known as "Kovalchuk Zero", as he is like Kovalchuk; minus his skill, Frolov could be a guy that would need a scenery change to revitalize his career. Of course, the thoughts about his attitude and then maybe looking at what he may ask especially considering there's not much else out there on the terms of talent on the left-hand side and with guys like Derek Boogaard and Jody Shelley getting over a million a year at the same position; he could price himself all the way to Omsk of the KHL. Possibilities: Aside from going back to Russia, maybe a trip to Pittsburgh or even St. Louis may be a destination, though I'm not sure if anyone will want to take a chance on him if he'll be bi-polar with his play.

With not much else on the horizon and the pretty much holding pattern until Kovalchuk does make his move, then this is what we can do with speculation on other guys not named Ilya. There's a fine crop outside of IK17; but because he's hogging the headlines; many good names are being overlooked.

The Fine Art of the Early Trade

You can say what you will about the moves that have been made (and by the looks of it, who hasn't), but what has gone on with the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers is the correct way to go about the trade deadline. Especially with a prolonged break with the Olympics heading up; they are trying to set-up their teams nicely and get some kind of chemistry going prior to the break.

Also, this is economically responsible of them. There won't be much time to make a deal after the Olympic break, as the trade deadline is three days after the trade freeze is lifted. So, even if these teams are going to make another move-- they have a month's time to actually look at their team play some games with their new rosters, they can assess their situations accordingly, and then think about who they'd be able to get with the money they have remaining and who they could be willing to part with.

You have to believe that Darryl Sutter isn't done in Calgary. With all that he's shipped off, there must be a method to his madness and could be in a position to make another deal. While the thought of Ilya Kovalchuk is a long-shot at this point, some kind of minor move may be coming from Calgary. Unless Sutter has completely lost his mind and just is making himself become the Mad Hatter and moving people for the sake of moving, there has to be a meaning to all these moves he's making.

Then you look at Toronto, who seems to be making good moves in terms of trying to move more contracts that are an albatross around the neck of the team. With their acquistions, especially of Dion Phaneuf; it's makes a statement that they will beat you up if they can't beat you on the score sheet. The only need to be addressed would need to be some support for Phil Kessel, which should come in time with their younger guys developing in the minors and juniors.

As for the Rangers, Brandon Prust brings about a younger, less cocky version of Sean Avery; with actual skill and putting it to use every night. Olli Jokinen could be the wild card. He's only netted 11 goals this season and could be sought after because of his past performances. Of course, his past performances were on craptastic teams and may not actually reflect on his skill level. If he can't make a big points push with Marian Gaborik on his wing, it'll show that he's not as good as people think he is. Who knows, considering he couldn't spark Jarome Iginla in Calgary.

Either way, the fact these teams made these deals this early, they have a window to see how the new team gels and will have time to make adjustments accordingly. It has proven successful before when you look at moves like the Hurricanes made to get Doug Weight and Mark Recchi in 2006, before they made their run to an eventual Stanley Cup championship. Plus, it fires the first salvo to the other teams who may have been waiting until the 11th hour in order to get something done-- this could make them maybe rush themselves to make a move earlier than they would have liked, which could be great or disastrous.

Heater on the Hot Seat

If I'm Dany Heatley, I'm quoting Gob Bluth right now: "I've made a huge mistake."

He has to be feeling that way, what with the fiasco that has gone on in the past few weeks with word of him requesting a trade out of Ottawa being leaked to the media, then Sens' GM Bryan Murray getting a deal in place with the Edmonton Oilers, but Heatley then blocking the deal due to his no-movement clause. Now, reports are coming out that the Sens could file a grievence because Heatley demanded a trade, then wouldn't lift his NMC; which I don't know how they'd win that one since Heatley was in every way right to keep his NMC clause in tact, but still-- this is turning into a bigger circus than it needs to be.

Now, with the July 1st deadline come and gone for the roster bonus of $4M owed to him, you wonder if Heatley will play the loyalty care of figure out a way to sneak out of town like the Baltimore Colts did in 1984. It's not like they can send him to Binghamton with his NMC in effect, which would not only bury him, but bury his contract-- and they could suspend him without pay if he refuses to show up to camp when it starts, but odds are he will, whether they want him there or not. Of course, that last scenario is pending on whether or not he's been traded prior to the Sens camp.

Yet, you look at this and you wonder how the Senators always get into trouble with a superstar player clashing with management. The Alexei Yashin drama was just getting out of the heads of some Sens die-hards and now-- it seems that Heatley is turning into Yashin 2.0. Sadly, Mike Milbury isn't around to make a horrible deal to the Sens in order for the Sens to save face. Albeit, also Yashin was his own worst enemy, Heatley isn't up to that level....yet.

While Heatley is claiming philisophical difference between him and coach Cory Clouston, did Heatley really expect things to be the same as they always were with a new coach behind the bench?? Especially considering the Sens haven't had a stable coach since Jacques Martin was given the boot. This is the fourth straight season with a new head coach to start the season for the Sens and you'd think in that time, Heatley would realize that they would be differences with the revolving door that's at the ScotiaBank Place. Though considering his numbers have been on the decline in the past two years (154 points in past two years in comparison to 208 points in first two years), maybe it's time to sell now. Sure, it's an ego hit and payroll hit due to the $4M bonus, but if he's going to continue to slide on the team, as well as be a disturbance in the locker room, let him make a deal for himself and that way everyone can be happy.

There's plenty of blame to go around for this situation to go as nuclear as it has been, with loose lips sinking ships, but ultimately, Heatley is one who is going to villified when all is said and done. He may not like the situation, but he couldn't expect that things would stay the same when he signed his six-year extension, especially in this day-in-age for the hockey business. The fact he's not willing to take a lesser role or accept change under the helm of Clouston also shows to some that he may not be a team player and is only in business for himself-- which I'm sure plenty of teams will be scrambling to get (sarcasm).

Donning my Sens fan cap for a second, I say you see what happens in the months leading up to camp. Feel out the process, while listening to offers and seeing which one would help the team out more and which Heatley would be willing to go for. If he still balks at the idea, you keep him on the roster and gauge the interest of his teammates as camp draws closer. Then you can see if he does show up to camp and go from there. If he does show up and his teammates want to see how it goes in the first part of it-- then observe and roll. If they have a pure detest for him, then hold him out of camp and see what deal you can scrounge up. Of course, should Heatley not report, then you suspend him without pay and rework as needed.

The end of this all will have everyone involved licking some sort of wound, some wounds bigger than others. Whether it's Bryan Murray, Dany Heatley, or even Cory Clouston-- there's going to be a lot of finger-pointing and armchair GMing to go around for the aftermath....if there is an aftermath.

Armchair GM: To Move or To Maintain

We're about 24 hours away from the NHL trade deadline and the rumors are moving quicker than two people meeting on online dating. The biggest question for the GMs in all of this will be how much is too much when it comes to getting what they want. Who are you willing to risk, whether it be from your roster or your farm system, to get the possible missing piece of the puzzle needed to get into the playoffs and have a chance at the Stanley Cup. As well, are they willing to disrupt a certain chemistry in the room in order to have this rental player in the room for 20 games, tops.

For teams like Florida and Columbus, who some never thought would be in this position this late into the season, they have to tread carefully in what they do. For the Panthers, they will not move Jay Bouwmeester, unless they get an amazing return, because they will need him if they get into the playoffs. The Blue Jackets have been longing for some defensive help and a center, but they have to make sure that they are able to risk what they give up in order to fill that void, or else they turn into the Atlanta Thrashers where they give up the farm for a rental and tank in the playoffs.

Then you have front-runners who may need one or two spots to cover, but they would have to give up too much in order to get that. Therefore, they would probably hold tight with what they have, rather than give up a lot to get what could be little in return. If they are that high in the standings as it is, odds are there's a reason for it and they may not want to tinker with the spirit of things.

Plus, it's not like there's a big deal to be made. Sure, you hear all these unfounded rumors from people who don't have an inside guy, it's just a weekend janitor who is getting his rumors from the sound guys playing NHL09. However, when all is said and done, there could be a blockbuster to shock everyone, but the odds on it are not that good. The predictable names will probably be moved for nothing more than prospects and/or picks, it's just a matter of what team they will go to. I mean, Bill Guerin has been traded since Saturday-- but to where and for what is still TBA, which creates the unrest amongst the public.

It's always a hectic day for GM, but it's always a fun one for the viewing and listening public. The rumors, the jumping the gun speculation, the Sportsnet Frat Party studio-- amazingness will come from it all. I know our show that night will be fantastically done with Spector's Hockey Lyle Richardson joining us for a long time and breaking down what this means for all involved and how much slept he was able to get from it all.

Armchair GM: Ottawa Senators

With the holiday season going on and not too much news going on-- it's time to see if I can get something to click....which will either be forgotten about or fail miserably. It's the journey that's always fun, though the result is one that may not be the one desired.

Basically, from time to time; I'll do the Armchair GM bit to see what I would have done in different situations or what I could be hoping for in terms of what's ahead. It's looking more and more like the latter will come from it, but let's do it anyway.

So, the Ottawa Senators are going through horror right now. It really stinks, because they're one of my favorite teams, though they are reverting back to when Norm Maciver, Jamie Baker, and Sylvain Turgeon were the top line. In fact, many would argue that the Pizza Line is acting that way right now with their lack of production together. The defense that once was one of the stingiest in the league is now looking like Swiss cheese. The only saving grace has been Filip Kuba and the goaltending, which, if you have followed the Sens and their goalie situation.....yeah, not good.

What can you do now if you're the Senators?? You have to wonder if you need to trade someone and shake up some things. Maybe get rid of some defensemen and bring up youngsters like Brian Lee and extended stay in Canada's capital. See what you could possible get for guys like Antoine Vermette, Mike Fisher, or Chris Kelly to get some early rebuiling. Worst case scenario, see if Jason Spezza wants out or shop him around. Odds are they'll get Milbury'd in the deal, but it could be a light under the fire of everyone and show that no one is safe and they need to produce to stay on the team.

For a team with plenty of promise and so much potential, it's just hard to see where it all went wrong. Sure, the lack of secondary scoring is very prominent, but with the potential of guys like Vermette and Kelly-- you'd expect something more than the effort that has been put forth. Though, with all the money put to the big three, it would be hard to get another top-six forward for the price of peanuts.

If the Senators want to be the team pundits thought they could be, something needs to be done now before it's too late for them. If not for the present, definitely for the future. There's only so many coaches that the team can go through before it's the player's fault due to lack of chemistry. At that point, you have to blow it up for the sake of the success.