As is typically the case, after a fevered Monday where several trade scenarios were brought up, Tuesday has proved itself to be the sober ugly friend who makes sure all her friends don’t go home with boys.
Recent suggestions that Rick Dipietro‘s upcoming rehabilitation starts might spell the end of Martin Biron in New York may be premature. As Richard linked in the Morning Papers, DiPietro will miss a scheduled start with a sore leg. Even if DiPietro was close to being ready, there is no need to send Biron down the road just yet. The Islanders are not as bad as people thought they would be and dealing a veteran netminder is not a good confidence builder for the team. In addition, it seems like a buyer’s market right now (with several goalies either available or in the minors without NHL deals), so why not wait to the deadline to maximize the return for your team. Garth Snow isn’t dumb, so watch for him to hold all his cards until he absolutely must make a move.
Spector’s site has a link to an Elliotte Friedman CBC article, where Friedman joins the chorus of those suggestion Lecavalier won’t go anywhere til the spring, if ever. While I acknowledge that these naysayers are most likely correct, I still think that a GM might make a pitch for the big center that will catch Tampa’s attention and force GM Brian Lawton to consider the deal. There are several teams (LA, Vancouver, et al) that want to make a run and in the new super-parity NHL, there is no time like the present. This is all the more true out West, where the Wings don’t look like their former selves, and the San Jose Sharks are still an unknown playoff commodity.
Spector’s site also has a link to a Boston Herald article saying the Bruins are looking for scoring help, but won’t trade any of their high picks to get it. This is where I disagree a little bit. The Bruins are one of those teams with a “window” in which to make a push for the Stanley Cup. Goalie Tim Thomas isn’t a young guy, veteran sniper Marc Savard isn’t getting any younger either. Should the Bruins be serious about contending, especially in a wide open East, I think they should make a play now. I realize the best players might not be available til the deadline, but thats also when the bidding goes up. If I am Peter Chiarelli, I am working the phones right now to see who is out there and what they would cost. If you have the luxury of getting a guy into the lineup mid-season, I think you do it. You can still deal at the deadline, and the acquisition has a much longer time to get comfortable.
