Dustin Byfuglien on the trading block?
It may be a course of action Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff might opt for in order to upgrade his team. According to Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press, Byfuglien would better serve the Winnipeg Jets by being traded from now to the trade deadline or even in the summer if no takers are found. Lawless figures it is best to trade Byfuglien now while his value is still high. The Jets could get a decent return for the American defenseman. Thus far this season, Byfuglien has not played in the system of Claude Noel and has contributed to a lot of giveaways making him more a hazard than a sure rear guard. Look for Byfuglien to be on the block comes the 5th march – the NHL trading deadline. Cheveldayoff has to do what he can to get a return for Byfuglien while his value is up. This year Byfuglien played in 45 Games scoring 9 goals with 23 assists for 32 points but he is also sporting a minus -14. He carries a cap hit of 5.2 million for this year and the next two.
Editor’s Note: I agree with Lawless on his suggestion of trading Byfuglien by the deadline if the Jets can unload him. His salary may be a problem for many teams to take such a risk but you can bet that if the offer is right Cheveldayoff will pull the trigger. Byfuglien since moving to Winnipeg from Atlanta hasn’t been the same. Last year, he reported unfit and overweight and struggled in the NHL short season. This year he has been inconsistent and has been giving away the puck way too often despite his offensive numbers.
Andrew MacDonald an interesting trading candidate for the Islanders
Andrew MacDonald could represent an interesting trading chip for the Islanders if they put the train back on the rails soon. The Islanders who are in the basement of the Metropolitan division will have some hard choices to make about MacDonald. According to Arthur Staple of the Long Island Newsday, MacDonald who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer represent a solid acquisition for any team heading into the playoffs. For garth Snow, Andrew MacDonald may represent his best trading chip by the NHL trade deadline. Of course it will all depend on how the Islanders do and make a run at a playoff spot. There is always the possibility of MacDonald coming to terms with the Isles on a new term but after the season he is having the Isles will definitely have to raise Macdonald’s salary from his current 4 year 2.2 million a year. It is assumed MacDonald will be looking at a salary in the 5+ million range next year. If Garth Snow is willing to offer MacDonald what his agent is seeking MacDonald will stay. And with the cap rising, all is possible. But if an agreement can’t be reached, Snow may look at trading MacDonald and obtain young prospects or another 1st round pick in 2014.
Pittsburgh Penguins need a replacement for Pascal Dupuis
According to TVA.ca, Renaud Lavoie, he tweeted that the Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking at replacing Pascal Dupuis who’s out with an knee injury, via a trade before the trading deadline. The Pittsburgh penguins as reported yesterday will not look to upgrade their defensemen but a replacement for Dupuis makes sense. Candidates out there could be Ales Hemsky from the Oilers. For now they will look first on what’s out there and make a move after the Olympics. Dupuis had 20 points in 36 games played with a plus -6
