To the Shadowmen:
Ladd (RFA) CHI LW
Zajac (RFA) NJ C
Hejduk COL RW (inj.)
4th LB Prd 2010
To the Lost Boys
Blake (RFA) TOR LW
Bergeron (RFA) BST C
Okposo (RFA) NYI RW
3rd HL PrD 2010
Showing posts with label trade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trade. Show all posts
11/30/2009
2/19/2007
FUNHL News and Notes
Massive trade occurred this weekend between the Wolves and Bladerunners - in what is another deal that could have decade long effects:
---> Bladerunners: Iginla-R Cgy FP, Huselius-L Cgy RFA, Visnovsky-D LA, Giguere-G Ana, Kobasew-R Bos P2 (inj), Legwand-C Nsh, Shadowmen 1st PRD, Bladerunners 3rd.
---> Wolves: Luongo-G Vcr FP, Parise-L NJ P3, Stastny-C Col P1, Cheechoo-R SJ, Martinek-D NYI (inj)
Lots of ramifications here. When I heard this deal had gone down, the following thoughts shotgunned through my consciousness;
- Luongo's fate was effectively sealed with the Kiprusoff trade. Nobody can afford to invest a franchise contract to their backup goaltender for long.
- The Bladerunner's have now collected all the best available Flames (Iginla, Kiprusoff, Huselius), except one, Dion Phaneuf-D Wolves (ok, two - Tanguay FP for the Scourge) As a cup drive strategy, this is intriguing. Is Calgary heading for an offensive explosion that I wasn't aware of?
- In Luongo, I believe the Wolves have now got one of the best 4-5 FP's in the league. And he's only getting better. Vancouver is building their team ala the New Jersey model - from their franchise goaltender out (seriously - watch for the search for Niedermayer/Stevens clones to begin for the blue-line). Luongo is going to be handed 70+ starts a season, a rock-N-roll defense corps (as I say, that's coming) and a team focussed on playing defense first (take a look at Naslund's stats - he's back-checking now). He's going to win hardware. Iggy on the other hand, is arguably not even one of the best 4 RW in the FUNHL (off the top of my head; St Louis, Jagr, Gaborik, Selanne, Hossa, are all playing better. Hejduk though, is definitely playing worse.), and he plays the kind of complete power/checking/defense/offense game that guarantees his points don't remain competitive with the goal sucks and puck hogs. If I were an NHL GM I'd love to build a team around Iggy, but as a FUNHL GM he's a declining asset.
- Does this trade actually improve the Bladerunners anywhere obviously? Defense with the addition of Visnovsky. Cheechoo vs Iginla at RW? Sure, I guess Iggy is marginally more reliable (if less explosive in potential - see Cheechoo's Richard trophy from last year). Luongo to Giguere? A wash - if only because both are backups. Huselius RFA vs Parise P3? Colour me biased, but despite Huselius' hot streak, I prefer Parise. Stastny P1 vs Legwand? Even if Stastny had NO status, I'd prefer him.
- All in all IMO the deal opens up some flexibility for the Bladerunners by unlocking the goaltending position, but doesn't put them over the top. For the Wolves, it's a win, win, win. They add a LW with upside in Parise, a 2nd line centre playing at a ppg to compliment Kopitar, and they secure a franchise goaltender as FP.
Big, I mean BIG, day for the Wolves.
In other news;
-Did anyone else see the goal by Malkin the other night where he drops the hammer and picks the short-side corner from the boards? Oh. My. Goodness. I got so excited by the replay I had to change my pants.
- Crosby's touch for scoring goals seems to have disappeared - which is bad news for the Bladerunners. Why? Because the Highlanders are nose to nose with him and Crosby will undoubtedly eventually recover.
- Recchi is making a mockery of the Severed Heads Omnivore. He's had two of his biggest games since the trade, including a 5 point night today. Ugh.
- Has anyone been hotter than Lecavalier of late? Given he's almost a goal per game - Nope. So, it can't last.
- How many times will Richards and Sakic be traded for each other this season? 4? Can we see it happen twice in a week?
- My reaction on the Forsberg to Nashville deal? Hand this round to the Flyers, cuz Nashville WAY overpaid. The first and third round picks, I can understand. Scottie Upshall I can understand. Ryan Parent? No chance. Yes, Forsberg gives them a chance to win it all, right now. But a first, a third, Upshall and Parent is simply too much for a guy who is breaking down physically, and an unrestricted free agent at the end of the playoffs.
- What's even sadder? The Predators could well be the best team in the league, and they still wouldn't sell out their Nashville arena. It's like seeing the NJ Devil's put together Cup winning seasons in front of half filled houses. It just makes you say 'what a waste', and wonder why they don't just move NJ to Hartford where at least they would be appreciated. Nashville, Florida, Atlanta, and Anaheim should be moved to Hartford, Quebec, Winnipeg, and Kitchener respectively. If we could get Carolina to relocate back to Hartford and then convince Nashville to play in Regina, we should.
-When the analysis of how the Severed Heads season came apart is completed one of the areas we are sure to reccomend improvements is with team toughness. In most weeks the contribution of goon minutes has been all but non-existent, and the result is the Heads have been pushed around. The Coach recently had words with the GM, and with the playoffs for the Challenge Cup approaching, finding some toughness for the stretch drive is still a possibility.
- As far as the NHL goes it's Lidstrom's Norris to lose. As far as the FUNHL goes, Sheldon Souray has all but locked it up. His play as goon as has been occasionally sporadic, but also devastating.
- My short list for FPs in the next ED looks something like this;
1. Spezza-C Ott
I give him top spot for; being younger, having more play-making abilit, and for having a better gunner as his side-kick in Heatley than Big Vinny.
2. Lecavalier-C TBay
All is going according to prophecy. As per my endless simulations on the X-Box, Lecavalier will now go on to record a 65-65-130pt season and win the scoring title next year.
3. Gaborik-R Min
One of the purest gunners in the league along with Kovalchuk and Ovechkin. Just entering his prime, and his GM seems intent on giving him offensive support.
4. Havlat-L Chi
Havlat has all the tools, warp speed, an imposing shot, and phenomenal stick handling ability. Only concerns are his durability and team mates. In many ways, he's like a youngish version of Elias, or a more consistently offensive Kovalev.
5. Bouwmeester-D Fla
The only defender FP on the horizon as far as I can tell. Blessed with massive frame, terrific skating and all-purpose offensive skills, it's just a matter of time before he is unstoppable, and like Pronger, picking up points just by breathing.
6. Nash-L Clb (Great Whites have right to match)
Was a better candidate two years ago, and has seen his stock slip a little. Mostly, he has just been going through the growing pains of a team in transition. Will eventually take a run at 50 goals in 50 games once the team finds him an elite playmaker.
7. Zetterberg-L Det
He had a horrible start to the year that has been redeemed by an absolutely mental second half. He's the safe late FP gamble when the exciting picks are off the board.
Crosby-Malkin will eventually both be FPs - just not this year.
---> Bladerunners: Iginla-R Cgy FP, Huselius-L Cgy RFA, Visnovsky-D LA, Giguere-G Ana, Kobasew-R Bos P2 (inj), Legwand-C Nsh, Shadowmen 1st PRD, Bladerunners 3rd.
---> Wolves: Luongo-G Vcr FP, Parise-L NJ P3, Stastny-C Col P1, Cheechoo-R SJ, Martinek-D NYI (inj)
Lots of ramifications here. When I heard this deal had gone down, the following thoughts shotgunned through my consciousness;
- Luongo's fate was effectively sealed with the Kiprusoff trade. Nobody can afford to invest a franchise contract to their backup goaltender for long.
- The Bladerunner's have now collected all the best available Flames (Iginla, Kiprusoff, Huselius), except one, Dion Phaneuf-D Wolves (ok, two - Tanguay FP for the Scourge) As a cup drive strategy, this is intriguing. Is Calgary heading for an offensive explosion that I wasn't aware of?
- In Luongo, I believe the Wolves have now got one of the best 4-5 FP's in the league. And he's only getting better. Vancouver is building their team ala the New Jersey model - from their franchise goaltender out (seriously - watch for the search for Niedermayer/Stevens clones to begin for the blue-line). Luongo is going to be handed 70+ starts a season, a rock-N-roll defense corps (as I say, that's coming) and a team focussed on playing defense first (take a look at Naslund's stats - he's back-checking now). He's going to win hardware. Iggy on the other hand, is arguably not even one of the best 4 RW in the FUNHL (off the top of my head; St Louis, Jagr, Gaborik, Selanne, Hossa, are all playing better. Hejduk though, is definitely playing worse.), and he plays the kind of complete power/checking/defense/offense game that guarantees his points don't remain competitive with the goal sucks and puck hogs. If I were an NHL GM I'd love to build a team around Iggy, but as a FUNHL GM he's a declining asset.
- Does this trade actually improve the Bladerunners anywhere obviously? Defense with the addition of Visnovsky. Cheechoo vs Iginla at RW? Sure, I guess Iggy is marginally more reliable (if less explosive in potential - see Cheechoo's Richard trophy from last year). Luongo to Giguere? A wash - if only because both are backups. Huselius RFA vs Parise P3? Colour me biased, but despite Huselius' hot streak, I prefer Parise. Stastny P1 vs Legwand? Even if Stastny had NO status, I'd prefer him.
- All in all IMO the deal opens up some flexibility for the Bladerunners by unlocking the goaltending position, but doesn't put them over the top. For the Wolves, it's a win, win, win. They add a LW with upside in Parise, a 2nd line centre playing at a ppg to compliment Kopitar, and they secure a franchise goaltender as FP.
Big, I mean BIG, day for the Wolves.
In other news;
-Did anyone else see the goal by Malkin the other night where he drops the hammer and picks the short-side corner from the boards? Oh. My. Goodness. I got so excited by the replay I had to change my pants.
- Crosby's touch for scoring goals seems to have disappeared - which is bad news for the Bladerunners. Why? Because the Highlanders are nose to nose with him and Crosby will undoubtedly eventually recover.
- Recchi is making a mockery of the Severed Heads Omnivore. He's had two of his biggest games since the trade, including a 5 point night today. Ugh.
- Has anyone been hotter than Lecavalier of late? Given he's almost a goal per game - Nope. So, it can't last.
- How many times will Richards and Sakic be traded for each other this season? 4? Can we see it happen twice in a week?
- My reaction on the Forsberg to Nashville deal? Hand this round to the Flyers, cuz Nashville WAY overpaid. The first and third round picks, I can understand. Scottie Upshall I can understand. Ryan Parent? No chance. Yes, Forsberg gives them a chance to win it all, right now. But a first, a third, Upshall and Parent is simply too much for a guy who is breaking down physically, and an unrestricted free agent at the end of the playoffs.
- What's even sadder? The Predators could well be the best team in the league, and they still wouldn't sell out their Nashville arena. It's like seeing the NJ Devil's put together Cup winning seasons in front of half filled houses. It just makes you say 'what a waste', and wonder why they don't just move NJ to Hartford where at least they would be appreciated. Nashville, Florida, Atlanta, and Anaheim should be moved to Hartford, Quebec, Winnipeg, and Kitchener respectively. If we could get Carolina to relocate back to Hartford and then convince Nashville to play in Regina, we should.
-When the analysis of how the Severed Heads season came apart is completed one of the areas we are sure to reccomend improvements is with team toughness. In most weeks the contribution of goon minutes has been all but non-existent, and the result is the Heads have been pushed around. The Coach recently had words with the GM, and with the playoffs for the Challenge Cup approaching, finding some toughness for the stretch drive is still a possibility.
- As far as the NHL goes it's Lidstrom's Norris to lose. As far as the FUNHL goes, Sheldon Souray has all but locked it up. His play as goon as has been occasionally sporadic, but also devastating.
- My short list for FPs in the next ED looks something like this;
1. Spezza-C Ott
I give him top spot for; being younger, having more play-making abilit, and for having a better gunner as his side-kick in Heatley than Big Vinny.
2. Lecavalier-C TBay
All is going according to prophecy. As per my endless simulations on the X-Box, Lecavalier will now go on to record a 65-65-130pt season and win the scoring title next year.
3. Gaborik-R Min
One of the purest gunners in the league along with Kovalchuk and Ovechkin. Just entering his prime, and his GM seems intent on giving him offensive support.
4. Havlat-L Chi
Havlat has all the tools, warp speed, an imposing shot, and phenomenal stick handling ability. Only concerns are his durability and team mates. In many ways, he's like a youngish version of Elias, or a more consistently offensive Kovalev.
5. Bouwmeester-D Fla
The only defender FP on the horizon as far as I can tell. Blessed with massive frame, terrific skating and all-purpose offensive skills, it's just a matter of time before he is unstoppable, and like Pronger, picking up points just by breathing.
6. Nash-L Clb (Great Whites have right to match)
Was a better candidate two years ago, and has seen his stock slip a little. Mostly, he has just been going through the growing pains of a team in transition. Will eventually take a run at 50 goals in 50 games once the team finds him an elite playmaker.
7. Zetterberg-L Det
He had a horrible start to the year that has been redeemed by an absolutely mental second half. He's the safe late FP gamble when the exciting picks are off the board.
Crosby-Malkin will eventually both be FPs - just not this year.
2/16/2007
Trade: Lost Boys-Shadowmen
Lost Boys invest in future, Shadowmen invest in present:
To Shadowmen:
Sakic C COL (FP)
Visnovsky D LA
Avery L NYR
To Lost Boys:
Richards C FLA (FP)
Zidlicky D NSH
Kotalik L BUF (RFA)
Bob please confirm over e-mail for the benefit of those. Brian, any chance of getting an updated master circulated before sunday?
Richard
To Shadowmen:
Sakic C COL (FP)
Visnovsky D LA
Avery L NYR
To Lost Boys:
Richards C FLA (FP)
Zidlicky D NSH
Kotalik L BUF (RFA)
Bob please confirm over e-mail for the benefit of those. Brian, any chance of getting an updated master circulated before sunday?
Richard
2/09/2007
Unpacking the latest trade
To the Highlanders: To the Great Whites:
LW Clowe SJ -----> LW RobertsFla
RW Gaborik Min -----> RW Boyes Bos
C Bergeron Bos -----> C Fedorov Cbs
D F. Kaberle Car -----> D Morris Phx RFA
P1 Boyd Cgy (unpromoted) -----> P1 Kessel Bos (unpromoted)
Great Whites 1st PrD 07 -----> Highlanders 1st PrD 07
the active ingredients here are Gaborik and Bergeron. Gabby will load up the RW for the Highlanders, while Nylander can now be safely placed on the bench (he will inevitably get hurt) because Bergeron is a more than legit replacement. The other active ingredients (at least for the Great Whites) are the exchange of picks (Highlander's get slight win) and the exchange of prospects (slight win for the Great Whites).
Ignore the Morris, Clowe, Boyes, Fedorov components, they are essentially meaningless pieces moved around to make the deal work (actually, I don't get the inclusion of the defensemen at all - something else other than points was the motivation there). The really interesting part of the deal is;
Boyd for Kessel. Both are P1s, both are pivots with high expectations, but Boyd has less offensive pedigree and lot more grit, while Kessel just survived a cancer scare and has head case issues. If your scoring your trades at home, I'd give the 'win' on this to the Highlanders. They got several good pieces (Gaborik, Bergeron) for an exchange of prospects and an improvement on his draft situation.
Meanwhile, the Great Whites seem to have developed a fetish for Bruins...
LW Clowe SJ -----> LW Roberts
RW Gaborik Min -----> RW Boyes Bos
C Bergeron Bos -----> C Fedorov Cbs
D F. Kaberle Car -----> D Morris Phx RFA
P1 Boyd Cgy (unpromoted) -----> P1 Kessel Bos (unpromoted)
Great Whites 1st PrD 07 -----> Highlanders 1st PrD 07
the active ingredients here are Gaborik and Bergeron. Gabby will load up the RW for the Highlanders, while Nylander can now be safely placed on the bench (he will inevitably get hurt) because Bergeron is a more than legit replacement. The other active ingredients (at least for the Great Whites) are the exchange of picks (Highlander's get slight win) and the exchange of prospects (slight win for the Great Whites).
Ignore the Morris, Clowe, Boyes, Fedorov components, they are essentially meaningless pieces moved around to make the deal work (actually, I don't get the inclusion of the defensemen at all - something else other than points was the motivation there). The really interesting part of the deal is;
Boyd for Kessel. Both are P1s, both are pivots with high expectations, but Boyd has less offensive pedigree and lot more grit, while Kessel just survived a cancer scare and has head case issues. If your scoring your trades at home, I'd give the 'win' on this to the Highlanders. They got several good pieces (Gaborik, Bergeron) for an exchange of prospects and an improvement on his draft situation.
Meanwhile, the Great Whites seem to have developed a fetish for Bruins...
2/07/2007
Uh... what?
In my effort's to show case my team's TG, who is available for reasonable offers, and because I'm a little puzzled, someone please tell me more.
From Duhatchek
One of my people was beating up one of Doug's FPs? Off the ice? On his own team? And this wasn't news? What actually happened, and how do I encourage more of this behaviour. "You see that Klesla guy..."
Any thoughts, or trade offers, welcome.
Richard
From Duhatchek
In Avery, the Rangers get an agitating force, the sort of energy player whom
they've been missing in an up-and-down 2006-07 season. Outspoken Avery, a
two-time NHL penalty-minutes leader, has been in all kinds of trouble, on and
off the ice, before this season, but has been mostly on a short leash and
reasonably well-behaved this year. Apart from a scuffle with teammate Scott
Thornton that left Thornton on the injured reserve list -- and was passed off as
just boys being boys -- he has mostly stuck to hockey this season.
One of my people was beating up one of Doug's FPs? Off the ice? On his own team? And this wasn't news? What actually happened, and how do I encourage more of this behaviour. "You see that Klesla guy..."
Any thoughts, or trade offers, welcome.
Richard
2/06/2007
FUNHL News and Notes: Stretch Drive
The trade between the Highlanders and Shadowmen was the sound of the other shoe dropping. With the Bladerunners loading up on Severed Heads players for the stretch drive, it left the Highlanders with only a few potential dance partners, especially when it comes to goaltending. Hasek and Pronger are exactly the right answers for how the team needs to respond for the stretch drive.
Here are 6 trades (involving all 12 teams!) you might see in the next few weeks:
Trade1:
---> Scourge: Afinogenov-R Buf
---> Ramapithicines: Hemsky-R RFA
Why? Hemsky gives the knuckledraggers a decent RFA for next year, and Afinogenov gives the Scourge a weapon to escape last place at modest cost (i.e. without giving up the likely first overall 1st rnd prd pick).
Trade2:
---> Edge: Visnovsky-D LA, Liles-D Col
---> Lost Boys: Perry-R Ana P2, Malik-NYR RFA, Witt-NYI RFA
Why? Collin deals futures to stay out of last place, Richard scoops up a forward prospect with upside. illustrates the pools 2nd oldest trade dynamic - a trade not to win, but to avoid losing.
Trade 3:
---> Knights Templar: Briere-C Buf, McCabe-D Tor
---> Personal Vendetta: Sedin.H-Vcr RFA, Weber-D Nsh P2
The Knights made a legendary plummet from the gates of heaven to the very depths of hell (think Gandalf vs the Balrog) going from 3rd to last place in a mere 6 weeks. Having been consigned to the flames once, he will be in a hurry to avoid being so again. Expect Briere to finally pop loose because Darrell won't be helping either of the front runners with this deal, and Mike will likely beg, whine, plead and otherwise slavishly polish Darrell's knob till it happens.
Trade 4:
---> Great Whites: Arnott-C Nsh, Kariya-L Nsh
---> Shadowmen: Nash-L Clb RFA, Perreault-C Phx
The GW's are on the bubble for busting their season and they know it. This deal gives them some upgraded offense without costing much in the way of futures.
Trade 5:
---> Highlanders: Giguere-G Ana
---> Wolves: Kessel-C Bos P1
If the Highlanders are insistent on relying on Hasek the rest of the way, Giguere for Kessel gives them a backup they can trust at modest cost, if they can get a RW too, they'd be thrilled.
Trade 6:
---> Severed Heads: Staal-C Car P3
---> Bladerunners: Spezza-C Ott, Havlat-Chi
Spezza has a way superior ppg to Staal, and with the Highlanders making moves the Bladerunners can't stay still.
Here are 6 trades (involving all 12 teams!) you might see in the next few weeks:
Trade1:
---> Scourge: Afinogenov-R Buf
---> Ramapithicines: Hemsky-R RFA
Why? Hemsky gives the knuckledraggers a decent RFA for next year, and Afinogenov gives the Scourge a weapon to escape last place at modest cost (i.e. without giving up the likely first overall 1st rnd prd pick).
Trade2:
---> Edge: Visnovsky-D LA, Liles-D Col
---> Lost Boys: Perry-R Ana P2, Malik-NYR RFA, Witt-NYI RFA
Why? Collin deals futures to stay out of last place, Richard scoops up a forward prospect with upside. illustrates the pools 2nd oldest trade dynamic - a trade not to win, but to avoid losing.
Trade 3:
---> Knights Templar: Briere-C Buf, McCabe-D Tor
---> Personal Vendetta: Sedin.H-Vcr RFA, Weber-D Nsh P2
The Knights made a legendary plummet from the gates of heaven to the very depths of hell (think Gandalf vs the Balrog) going from 3rd to last place in a mere 6 weeks. Having been consigned to the flames once, he will be in a hurry to avoid being so again. Expect Briere to finally pop loose because Darrell won't be helping either of the front runners with this deal, and Mike will likely beg, whine, plead and otherwise slavishly polish Darrell's knob till it happens.
Trade 4:
---> Great Whites: Arnott-C Nsh, Kariya-L Nsh
---> Shadowmen: Nash-L Clb RFA, Perreault-C Phx
The GW's are on the bubble for busting their season and they know it. This deal gives them some upgraded offense without costing much in the way of futures.
Trade 5:
---> Highlanders: Giguere-G Ana
---> Wolves: Kessel-C Bos P1
If the Highlanders are insistent on relying on Hasek the rest of the way, Giguere for Kessel gives them a backup they can trust at modest cost, if they can get a RW too, they'd be thrilled.
Trade 6:
---> Severed Heads: Staal-C Car P3
---> Bladerunners: Spezza-C Ott, Havlat-Chi
Spezza has a way superior ppg to Staal, and with the Highlanders making moves the Bladerunners can't stay still.
2/01/2007
The Forsberg Questions
His ankles have been abused, his feet no longer fit comfortably into normal or even exceptionally constructed skates, and he has a history of groin issues, and other physical breakdowns from the hard core way he plays the game.
- If you are the Flyers, do you trade him?
Yes
- What can you get for him?
About what they are asking for; a first round pick and or a decent to awesome prospect.
- Who wants him?
Everybody will consider it, but a Western team in the hunt for the playoffs with cap space - and there are several - will be the obvious contenders.
Calgary: Other Gms don't ask for Phaneuf anymore because they already know the answer. Does Matthew Lombardi + a first get you Forsberg? Maybe. Throw in Brent Krahn-G prospect? Boyd? The Flames don't have a home-run prospect, but they have several who are above average and possess grit - making them ideal trade bait in this situation (ie. Boyd could easily be a Flyer couldn't he? Can't you see Nystrom as a Flyer?) However the deal happens, the Flames would instanty become the prohibitive Cup favourites. Foppa would join fellow Swede Huselius on a slick offensive unit (The Conroy-Iginla affair is back in bloom). Calgary fans would openly plan the parade while Oiler fans would become sucidal. The battle of Alberta would be totally lopsided again, only Calgary would be the dominant driver seat team. Please Cthullu, kill me last so I can see this happen.
Anaheim: Bobby Ryan, a first + change (a defenseman, or later round pick) looks like the winning deal to me. Burke will probably balk at putting Getzlaf or Perry into the mix - but he certainly could. The overall structure will end up depending on the status of Forsberg's wheels and what else might be coming back in the deal to Anaheim (i.e. would the Flyers include Jeff Carter to get Getzlaf+Perry?!?). When all is said and done, Detroit is the obvious choice, but Anaheim is the first place I would start shopping.
Detroit: At first glance this seems obvious. It also does at second. Kronwall and a 1st? That might do it. Grigorenko, Howard, and a 1st? Stefan Liv? Throw in Dan Cleary? Detroit is home to a bunch of elite Swedes who would love to give Mo-town a post-Stevie-Y Cup celebration, and Forsberg may well have included them as one of his preferred destinations to speed things along, but there isn't an obvious deal to make the Flyer braintrust happy in terms of the prospect they are getting back.
Should the Personal Vendetta keep him as an FP?
If they are in the top 4-5 as of Saturday morning, YES. If not, no matter what his decision for next year, or thereafter, it is I think more likely than not that Forsberg is having his PV farewell tour right now.
Will the PV trade Forsberg?
No. Forsberg is simply a love object at this stage. He's below a ppg, constantly hurt, always a threat to return to Sweden, on a crap team, without elite linemates (consider Gagne's stats sans the Forsbergian one), ready to retire, or have a limb fractured. In short, why would anyone want him?
Having said all that, here are 4 possible FUNHL scenarios to contemplate:
Scenario1: Forsberg is dealt to Detroit in real life and his numbers perk up to ppg+. Elias in NJ goes down for the rest of the year, or merely continues to suck, and like last year, the Edge begin to flirt with oblivion. Here's what happens;
---> Edge: Forsberg-C Det FP, Briere-C Buf, and a warm body at left.
---> PV: Elias-L NJ FP, Corey Perry-R P2, Edge 1st PRD in 07-08
The keys here are that Forsberg becomes a shorterm massive improvement on Elias and that the Edge is in danger of taking home bad hardware. It would be the first time Elias has ever played anywhere other than for the Edge.
Scenario 2: Forsberg is dealt to Anaheim and goes nuclear. Doug might think of something like;
---> Highlanders: Forsberg-C ANA FP,
---> Personal Vendetta: Richards-C TBay FP (inj, mysterious suckitude, or simply unexpected sub-superstarness)
....and Darrel might just take it. The key is simply that Forsberg be much hotter than Richards, the natural incentives of the pool will do the rest.
Scenario 3: Injuries to vital players on the Highlanders and Bladerunners put the Great Whites back within striking distance, Forsberg is hot in Calgary, and the previously ppg+ Marleau goes cold. I don't get the sense that the Great Whites are invested heavily in Marleau, and if they felt they had a real shot at the title we could easily see something like;
---> Great Whites: Forsberg-C Cgy FP
---> PV: Marleau-C SJ FP (inj)
The stumbling blocks are that the Great Whites are slipping further away from the leaders rather than closing on them, and that Marleau is both younger and superior to Forsberg at the moment.
Scenario 4: and ultimately - the most likely trade of all;
---> Shadowmen: Forsberg-C Pha
---> PV: an FP + assorted stuff
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