The 2019 NHL trade deadline is just one week away and several franchises across the league are faced with the difficult decision of either buying or selling their star players.
Team’s that think they have a legitimate shot at winning the Cup, but believe they are a player short, will take out a loan for an athlete that they believe will put them over the hump. Last year Tampa made a huge splash acquiring Ryan McDonagh to solidify their back end, while Boston took a chance on the recently retired forward Rick Nash. It can be added depth to the third or fourth line, a goalie, or even a legitimate All-Star…it all depends on what management feels they need in order to put themselves in a position to compete.
This year, however, the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers quite possibly have the hardest decisions to make ahead of Sunday. The Jackets have two elite players on the final length of their contracts who will become unrestricted free agents this summer. The blueshirts have a flurry of players who could become available if the opportunity presents itself, but the question is whether or not Jeff Gorton be willing to pull the trigger.
Columbus has to decide if they want to shop their Vezina Tropy award-winning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky along with All-Star forward Artemi Panarin. As of now, the Jackets are sitting in third place in the Metropolitan Division and are two points clear of the final wild card slot in the East. With just seven days until the deadline, would it make sense for Columbus to throw in the towel and gear up for the future?
Well, it is extremely difficult to say, but I would say no. The likelihood of both Bob and Panarin signing in July are very slim, but this current roster has the potential to make a deep playoff run. They have skilled forwards up front and have four skaters with 20 or more goals. Defensively, they have a Norris-caliber talent in Seth Jones, along with two younger stable pieces in Zach Werenski and Ryan Murray.
The top line of Panarin-Pierre-Luc Dubois–Cam Atkinson has combined for 173 points in just 55 games, and they have depth with captain Nick Foligno Anthony Duclair, and up-and-coming star Josh Anderson to round out the top-six.
Getting rid of Panarin now would at least get you something in return, but would come at the cost of making the playoffs. You simply cannot remove your most skilled asset offensively and make the playoffs in 2019, but if we learned anything from last years off season it is that your franchise can still be viable without a superstar. The Islanders held on to franchise star John Tavares and lost him in July for nothing, but have been the biggest surprise this winter and sit a top of the Met standings. So what are the Jackets waiting for then…an elite offer?
My argument to this comes down to one thing–win now mode. The Jackets are in a win now mode and have the pieces to compete. If they get rid of their play making, top-line wing, then the city of Columbus will go 19 seasons without a playoff series win. 10 months ago, this same roster had the Washington Capitals on the ropes in overtime…at home…in Game 3, and were a goal away from basically ending the Caps’ dreams of winning the title. Sure, you are going to lose him for nothing in July, but who is to say the prospect or draft pick you trade him for will be anywhere near the type of talent that Panarin is? Hang on to him and try and make some noise in the playoffs this time around.
As far as Bob goes, this one is even trickier. Looking at the current playoff teams and the team’s on the outside looking in, it is tough to say what organization would take out a loan for a playoff run. The majority of the teams in the playoffs have either one legitimate goalie or two that have been decent enough to win games, although, Vancouver is a worthy destination for the 30-year-old Russian.
The Canucks are just two points out of a wild card spot in the West, but have an inexperienced goalie owning the crease as of now. Jacob Markstrom has a record of 22-17-6 (solid, but not great), to go along with a 2.77 GAA and a .911 SV%. Vancouver has one of the most talented young cores in all of hockey right now, but a string of injuries have restricted them from maintaining a playoff spot over the past several weeks.
The question is whether or not the Canucks would be willing to give up a first round pick or top prospect in return, and if the Jackets believe that they can survive and keep pace in the Met with backup Joonis Korpisalo taking over the reins.
If history has taught us anything it is that Bob has had his fair share of struggles in the postseason. In just 24 playoff appearances he has a .891 save percentage, 3.49 goals against average, zero shutouts and a record of 5-14. The Russian’s kryptonite throughout his career has been the playoffs and if the Jackets can get some type of return on him they should.
Both superstars contracts are expiring at seasons end and Columbus would risk losing them for nothing come July. If they choose to bypass the deadline and keep both Bob and Panarin, then it is boom or bust for the 19-year-old franchise.
Another interesting team to follow this week is the Rangers. New York is supposed to be in a “rebuilding” stage, but have been doing anything but that in 2018-19. They are 10 points back of a wild card slot and most certainly will not be making the playoffs, but isn’t the whole purpose of a rebuild to sort of tank for the future?
Tanking is generally highlighted by losing games (in regulation) and playing for a lottery pick in the summer. I’m not saying physically go out their and play like garbage, but put a number of young prospects in the lineup and move on from veteran players who have a valuable return. But for the Rangers…Henrik Lundqvist stands in the way of issuing a full on rebuild.
Lundqvist’s numbers might not be eye popping, but if you watch New York on a nightly basis it is easy to tell that he is one of the biggest reasons that the Big Apple cannot tank. Night in and night out the Swedish net minder has been stealing points for his club and it has now put them in an awkward position ahead of the Feb. 25 deadline. His no trade clause has hindered their chances of developing other goalies at the NHL level and prevents them from moving on from their Hall of Fame talent altogether.
During this “rebuild”, Kevin Hayes has emerged as a valuable piece to the Rangers’ puzzle. Although he is currently on a 1-year contract, the Boston native has had his best season as a pro and is nearly averaging a point-per-game (40 in 48 GP). The Rangers could get a lot in a trade for Hayes and have the upper hand based on his current line of work. Winnipeg, Colorado, Vegas and Boston could all be solid trade options, but they risk not being able to re-sign him in the off season once his contract is up.
Team’s who are desperate for the Cup and who feel their window is closing will almost certainly pull off a deal, but should the Rangers even do it? If Hayes is fitting in so well with this roster that consists of some key young players, then they might as well sign him to a long-term deal. I would argue that the blueshirts should try and move Mats Zuccarello before Hayes.
Zuc has been a cornerstone for the franchise and has been a reliable player over his career, but with the direction the franchise is heading in, along with the current core of prospects, they should part ways with the fan favorite. I’m not saying that New York is a player or a few picks away by any means, but if the goal is to somehow end up in the lottery for Jack Hughes, then it is time to “tank” and move on from their most skilled forward.
Mika Zibanejad has demonstrated that he can be a franchise forward and is on an absolute tear in the 2019 calendar year. He has 21 points in his last 14 games and leads the Rangers in points with 57. New York should build around the former Senators 2011 first-round pick and attempt to get a favorable return on Zuccarello.
If a high offer comes in for Hayes or if his asking price is too high, then by all means make the deal, but don’t get pressured by the media to move on from either player if you believe they can help the city compete for a championship in the next few years.
Both the Jackets and Rangers have a lot of thinking to do in the next week that will alter the direction of the franchise for years to come. So, grab your Starbucks and pay attention because a tidal wave is about to hit the league and you do not want to miss this!