Looking at Potential Trade Partners: Part 4 - Phoenix and Chicago
With the trade deadline winding down and no really hot rumors on potential trades, I have decided to take a look at each team that is definitely out of the playoff race to try and determine what assets they have that would be of potential interest to the Red Wings.
I am looking at each team starting with the teams with the lowest point total and working my way forwards. I started this off by looking at the Philadelphia Flyers, the Los Angeles Kings and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Next up: Phoenix and Chicago.
Phoenix has already made most of their moves with regards to their top 6 forwards. Ladisalv Nagy was moved to Dallas in what now looks like a very sober, reasonable trade. They also got Shane Doan to sign on past the decade in the desert and seem interested in getting Yanic Perreault inked to a new deal.
Doan is about as available as Rick Tocchet
However there are numerous rumors that Owen Nolan is available. He was a free agent who received lukewarm interest this summer after Toronto cut him loose after sitting out the previous season due to injuries. He has acquitted himself fairly well in Phoenix, as he is on pace to play 81 games and score close to 20 goals while being a plus player on a team that has struggled all year. He certainly merits consideration. He was also a solid playoff performer for San Jose a few years ago.
Chicago’s top six forward situation is similar. Martin Havlat is untouchable and the Wings could have made an effort to sign Peter Bondra, who sat out the first half of the season but chose not to do so. He also has had problems with his shoulder this season. Do you pay a premium to sign him now? Of course not.
Radim Vrbata has bounced around the NHL and hasn’t displayed the scoring touch to make him an attractive option on a scoring line. Tuomo Ruutu would be an interesting guy but I am not sure the Blackhawks would consider moving him. It’s probably worth taking a look as he could add a dimension that Detroit is seeking as he can score while also being a physical player. He is also signed next season for a very reasonable $1.9 million.
Marcus Nillson, have you met Tuomo Ruutu?
As far as gritty, checking forwards go, our old buddy Martin LaPointe is probably being dangled. He has the physical style of play Detroit can certainly use but he is signed through next year for $2.4 million, which is pretty steep for a banger who hasn’t displayed the scoring touch he had in Detroit during the 2000-01 season. Some Wings fans call him LaPenalty as his penchant for game-changing
LaPointe exits his office
The hot rumor was that Georges Laraque’s trade to Pittsburgh was imminent. That hasn’t happened but word has gotten out that Phoenix isn’t happy with his play and that they will trade him prior to the deadline. They also are under the misguided impression that they can get a first round pick and a prospect for Laraque. They clearly don’t understand how negotiation tactics work.
The asking price makes Laraque unattractive, and that’s even before you throw in the fact he’s signed through next season for $1.2 million. His only role is as an enforcer. I find it hard to believe I am actually going to write this but I’d take LaPointe and his ridiculous salary over Laraque in a trade.
Godzilla v. Mothra
So what do we have with Phoenix and Chicago? I think the best option for a top 6 forward would be Tuomo Ruutu but I am skeptical that Chicago would offer him in a trade. Owen Nolan is available and is probably the best option so far for a top 6 forward from the teams I have reviewed so far that might actually be available via trade. Georges Laraque is definitely available and rumors suggest Martin LaPointe is available. Between those two I’d go with LaPointe as he’d probably be able to help Detroit more than Laraque would. NHL Trade Talk Red Wings
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