As I wrote in my list of the top trade guys that I read...Dreger is one of the best.
His latest lists the top ten players that he feels are in play. The article is found on TSN.ca ...
HERE
Here is Dreger's top ten, and my thoughts following each in italics...
No. 10 - Alex Kovalev. NHL executives are curious about his future in Montreal. If Bob Gainey wants to cut ties, there are teams willing to consider the risk.
Despite grounding Kovalev, I don't think Gainey is willing to cut ties unless the trade for Lecavalier happens. I have heard a few teams who are interested Kovalev this morning...Calgary and Vancouver are two so far
No. 9 - The Oilers are believed to be one team interested in Kovalev and sources say Edmonton forward Erik Cole could be worked into a package as the Oilers search for a top line forward.
The only issue I have with this is if Kovalev would play in Edmonton only because I don't believe that Kovalev would go to a team that may not make the playoffs. Eric Cole will move and soon.
No. 8 - Chris Pronger. How the Anaheim Ducks play over the next two weeks will determine whether Pronger is truly in the mix. The most likely scenario is that the Ducks hold on to Pronger for their playoff push and reconsider trading him at the draft.
Talking to people close to Pronger I think there is a better chance that he is traded in the off-season. I do know the Devils and Flyers are interested, but money is a huge issue.
No. 7 - Ryan Whitney. With the return of Sergei Gonchar, the Penguins have a stockpile of blueliners and league sources say Whitney could fetch the quality forward Ray Shero is seeking.
Whitney is a diamond in the rough. The Rangers, Senators, Avalanche, Sabres, and Kings have interest. Few people know how hurt Whitney was all of last year. He held off to have the surgery and the recovery could be another year. But when he gets healthy he will be great again.
No. 6 - Olli Jokinen. The Phoenix centre is available but NHL GMs wonder about a 10-year player who has never once been in the playoffs.
It is a legit concern, but the again he has also been the best player on his team most of those years. I have been saying Jokinen was available for some time now. The Sabres, Flames, Canadiens and the Wild are four teams that do still believe in him. Calgary is the most likely destination in my opinion
No. 5 - Jay Bouwmeester. The Panthers have talked to a number of teams and has a variety of trade scenarios to consider, but it's possible Bouwmeester has a change of heart and stays.
It is possible, but it would have to be a serious change of heart. As well as the Panthers are playing right now, Jay has seen these late runs. And they need to INK the deal now.
No. 4 - Nik Antropov may headline the parade of players out of Toronto. Brian Burke has established the asking price for Antropov - a first round draft pick.
Nik has not helped Burke out much. He started off like gangbusters this season but the trade talk seems to have really gotten to him and that simple fact has left a few teams concerned about his mental toughness. No player should be more accustomed to trade rumors.
No. 3 - Philadelphia prospect James van Riemsdyk. The University of New Hampshire forward, picked second in 2007, has been linked to Atlanta in a deal that would see a goalie going to the Flyers.
JvR could definitely be dealt. As could Claude Giroux in my opinion. Although I will say that this reminds me a lot of when Richards and Carter were rumored to go in deals 3-5 years ago. I think one of them only goes if JayBo or Lecavalier is involved.
No. 2 - Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen is of interest to the Flyers. If Atlanta GM Don Waddell continues to rebuild, swapping Lehtonen for a prospect such as Van Riemsdyk would have to be seriously considered.
I am not going to debate that the Flyers aren't 100% sold on their goaltending. Living here most of my life one only needs to bring back the CuJo/Beezer Debate to know it has been pretty much 20 years of goalie controversies. And this is the team that Bernie built. I can tell you with some certainty that the Flyers came VERY close to grabbing Khabibulin earlier this season. That being said, I feel Marty Biron is a goalie that the top people around here do believe in. Last playoffs made a HUGE impact and Biron was brilliant. Biron has a level that he rises to in clutch situations. This past weekend we saw that as Nitty pushed him for the #1 spot.
No. 1 - Ryan Smyth. Colorada needs to cut payroll and Francois Giguere is talking to teams about Smyth. The Avs won't ask Smyth to waive his no-trade unless there's a decent deal tabled. Teams are working on their offers now.
Outstanding scoop by Dreger here. I can confirm that teams are putting together offers and that it is possible. Calgary, Chicago, Washington, Ottawa, Toronto and Pittsburgh are possibles, but I will keep digging on this today.
more to come this afternoon.
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Just predict where the players will be traded to (or if they aren't going to be dealt at all)>
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