Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."
Calgary Flames
Status: Sellers
Options:
- Forward Kris Versteeg, an unrestricted free agent to be, could help haul in a draft pick or two from a team looking to add scoring.
- Defenseman Deryk Engelland, also a pending UFA, could solidify a contender's middle or bottom pairing.
Take: The Flames are just one point out of a playoff spot, but a minus-15 goal differential and team save percentage of .899 don't exactly scream Stanley Cup favorite.
Calgary needs to address its goaltending situation - both Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson will be free agents July 1- and take another crack at making the next step in 2017-18.
Edmonton Oilers
Status: Buyers
Potential Targets:
- Kevin Shattenkirk, D, Blues
- Jarome Iginla, RW, Avalanche,
- Brian Boyle, C, Lightning
- Backup goalie
Take: Barring something drastic - or something very Oilers - Edmonton's playoff drought will end in April, making it buyer for the first time in a long time.
Landing Shattenkirk would be a huge splash, though it remains unlikely. However, the option of a homecoming for veteran Jarome Iginla or plucking Brian Boyle as a rental would help the Oilers' attack immensely.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are carrying the load, and they could use some help, as the targets on their backs will grow even bigger come playoff time.
Montreal Canadiens
Status: Buyers
Potential Targets:
- Shattenkirk, D, Blues
- Patrick Sharp, LW, Stars
Take: Marc Bergevin needs to decide how he wants to shake things up.
As his team desperately aims to regroup over their bye week, the Canadiens general manager has some options. Some are calling for a new coach, some want to see a big trade. Some want both.
He's not a miracle worker, but even the furthest outsider can recognize the Canadiens need some secondary scoring. The Habs are averaging just 2.3 goals per game over their last 18 games, and addressing that seems like a good starting point.
Ottawa Senators
Status: Buyers
Potential Targets:
- Radim Vrbata, RW, Coyotes
- Thomas Vanek, RW, Red Wings
Take: Senators general manager Pierre Dorion nixed the thought of a trade with the Colorado Avalanche, so Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog are out of the picture as they're too expensive.
Still, Ottawa needs help scoring, especially on the power play, which ranks 23rd in the league at 16.4 percent.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Status: Stand pat
Take: The Maple Leafs have a firm grasp on where they stand, and they should stay the course.
Toronto can certainly push for the playoffs, but if team defense and goaltending winds up letting them down, it isn't the end of the world. Considering the roster overhaul, at times it's difficult to remember this was a 30th-place team last year, and the offseason is when the Leafs should being making changes.
Winnipeg Jets
Status: Sellers
Options:
- Drew Stafford, a former 30-goal scorer, could serve as a valuable rental, likely bringing back some decent draft picks.
- Matthieu Perreault has four more years on his contract but has been rumored to be available. Unloading his salary would be a long-term benefit.
Take: The Jets are in a free fall, and unless they snap out of it soon, it'll be another lost season in Winnipeg.
Goaltending has been the Jets' biggest problem, but if they fall further from the playoff cutline, selling what they can is a good strategy.
Vancouver Canucks
Status: Sellers
Options:
- Selling Ryan Miller to the highest bidder helps the Canucks maximize value.
- Alexandre Burrows has to agree to the deal, but trading the 35-year-old to a willing contender is Vancouver's best trade option.
Take: The Canucks have hovered around a playoff spot for far too long. It's unlikely they climb into the postseason, and the higher their lottery-ball percentage grows, the better.
General manager Jim Benning has to recognize this isn't a contending roster, and the best way to build one is to start from the bottom.
(Photos Courtesy: Action Images)
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