Written by Chris Wassel | 30 January 2010

One of the most exciting days of in a hockey fans year is getting closer in the March 3, 2010 NHL trade deadline. Lots of talk about there being two deadlines in that the Olympic break will put a freeze on any movement in the NHL trade wise from February 18-28th. The speculation suggests that some teams might pull the trigger on a deal before the Olympic break so the player has time to settle into a the new teams system and is ready to roll for the final 20 odd games of the season after the Olympics are done. I suppose it could happen, never say never, but I'd be surprised if anything big does happen before the roster freeze of the 15th. Two reasons. Most of the big names being talked about out there are playing in the Olympics, what if the player gets hurt? Can you see a team shelling out the price the Thrashers will be asking for Kovalchuk, only to have him injury his shoulder during the Olympics, not play a single game for the team, and then leave as a UFA come July 1st? Might not happen I realize, but what team will take that chance. I'm betting none. Second reason for not much happening until after the Olympics, money. The exact reason no trades happen in this league already. Teams aren't going to trade for a big contract player only to have to pay the player for 2 weeks over the Olympic break to do nothing. They will save the cap room and wait until the 5 day window from February 28 to March 3. Back to Kovalchuk as the example, that two week period saves a team 400,000 to 500,000 in cap space, for some of these teams hard up against things money wise, that's a big chunk of change.

Once the Olympics are all wrapped up and the roster freeze is lifted, the trades will come. In my opinion I don't think there will be anymore or less trades then in any other year, I think 15 to 20 moves is a fair guess. What intrigues me about this years deadline is it seems the potential for some bigger names to be shuffled about is there, but will it actually happen? I'd bet big money Kovalchuk goes, but what about Phanuef, Souray, or Visnovsky? Do the Habs deal one of their goalies? Is Frolov really being dangled by the Kings for help on the blueline? It also seems every year a surprise player gets moved, who is that sleeper this year? If I'm guessing at teams that have to make a deal to better their chances for just making the playoffs, Calgary and Montreal top my lists. In both cases the need for another top six forward is very clear I think. Teams that are in, but still need help if they really want a chance at winning the cup, Pittsburgh and Vancouver. The top end talent is unreal, but Pens need a real winger to play with Crosby and the Canucks could use a scoring threat for the second line. In teams that may not have to change anything, such as the Sharks, Caps, Hawks, Devils, & Sabres, I'm going to suggest that they make deals for guys that will play on the 3rd & 4th lines or 4, 5, & 6th defensemen, the "experienced" factor if you will. Mind you some of those teams are linked by the so called "sources" to Kovalchuk, so take everything you hear and read with a grain of salt. The fact no one really knows is what makes this fun! Right?

Then again, this is just another damned opinion.

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