Deadline daze: look for teams to wheel and deal

Sporting News, The, April 10, 1995 by Larry Wigge

It is unlike any other day during the season. Time stands still as general managers consider the last opportunity to improve their clubs and players shudder at the thought of moving. The NHL trading deadline is Friday, and the meat is on the

"It definitely won't be just another day at the office," says Rangers General Manager Neil Smith, who acquired Glenn Anderson from the Maple Leafs, Craig MacTavish from the Oilers and Brian Noonan and Stephane Matteau from the Blackhawks last year in deadline deals that helped the Rangers win their first Stanley Cup since 1940.

In all, eight teams combined to trade 32 players and draft choices in deadline deals last spring. With so many teams having legitimate chances at the tide, look for more deals this year.

"That's what parity is all about," Maple Leafs General Manager Cliff Fletcher says. "There isn't any team in the league that is that much better than anybody else. One player, one trade could make the difference."

So, let's cut to the chase - and see which teams really want to win it all this time.

Red Wings. V.P. Jimmy Devellano says no to the hottest rumor - that Detroit will go after Kings defenseman Marty McSorley. Says Devellano: "You look at his $2-million-a-year salary and get disinterested real quickly."

Look for the Red Wings to get the defenseman they seek in a deal with the Islanders (Terry Carkner and Mike Sillinger for Benoit Hogue and Dean Chynoweth) or from the Jets (Stephane Quintal). Sabres defenseman Doug Bodger would be their best bet.

Penguins. Coach Eddie Johnston has told left wing Kevin Stevens he will not be traded, so that crushes any attempt to get a quality defenseman such as Calgary's Phil Housley. The Penguins could be in the bidding with Quebec for Islanders defenseman Vladimir Malakhov.

Nordiques. A goaltender should be their prime concern, but a point man on the power play is instead. Thus, the interest in Malakhov.

Blues. A center with toughness and Stanley Cup experience is No. 1. That leads us to the Oilers' Shayne Corson and the Rangers' Alexei Kovalev.

Blackhawks. The acquisition of Jim Cummins for toughness has blown up in their faces. That's why they are talking with the Stars about tough guy Shane Churla.

Flyers. The inconsistency of goaltenders Ron Hextall and Dominic Roussel should have G.M. Bobby Clarke trying to pry John Vanbiesbrouck from the Panthers or Bill Ranford from the Oilers.

Sabres. With Hobey Baker-winning Brian Holzinger of Bowling Green close to a contract and veteran center Dale Hawerchuk to bolt via free agency in the summer, the Sabres likely will offer Hawerchuk to the Rangers, Canadiens and Blues.

Bruins. A backup goalie is high on their wish list. Craig Billington of the Senators is the most talked-about caddie for rookie Blaine Lacher.

Flames. They have defensemen to trade in an attempt to replace the robust play injured left wing Gary Roberts usually gives them in the playoffs. Yet most rumors have Calgary trading center Joel Otto to the Rangers, Devils or Penguins, where he could be used to check Eric Lindros.

Rangers. Believe it or not, there are rumors Smith would trade Kovalev to the Sabres for checking center Bob Sweeney. Smith previously tried to get Brian Skrudland from the Panthers and Brent Gilchrist from the Stars for that role.

Devils. After success in acquiring Neal Broten from Dallas, don't be surprised to see Coach Jacques Lemaire ask about former Canadien Russ Courtnall, who had it out with Stars Coach Bob Gainey big time last week.

Capitals. They could acquire help on the wing by trading center Joe Juneau to the Canadiens for left wing Vincent Damphousse.

Among potential trades involving non-contenders, we keep hearing the Islanders will trade underachieving center Pierre Turgeon to the Canadiens for a package of players including defenseman Mathieu Schneider. The Islanders will deal slumping right wing Steve Thomas to Chicago or Toronto. The Red Wings and Maple Leafs still have interest in Oilers defenseman Bryan Marchment. And don't be surprised to see the names of Rangers goaltending prospect Corey Hirsch and Devils right wing Claude Lemieux come up in deals.

Stay tuned to see which teams will pay the price to win it all.

Icy bits

Jets Owner Barry Shenkarow says there is a 50-50 chance government agencies will not come up with the funds to build an arena in Winnigeg and that the team could up in Minneapolis next season. ... Speaking of the Jets, star right wing Teemu Selanne has been sputtering because of tendinitis in his left knee. Trainers have had to freeze Selanne's left knee before most games. "When they freeze it, I don't feel so much pain," Selanne says. "The first and second periods are fine. But when the freezing wears off, I can feel it. The games we haven't frozen it, my skating is only 80 percent." ... One of the reasons Pierre Turgeon has not been traded is a $600,000 bonus that is due in September. The Islanders say his new team will have to pick it up.

Nordiques Owner Marcel Aubut's deadline of April 12 to have a promise of a 19,000-seat building with 2,500 club seats and 50 corporate boxes is fast approaching. Sources in Denver are confident the Nordiques will be there next season. ... How about the five-goal performance by Winnipeg center Alexei Zhamnov against the Kings last Saturday? "Up until this season, he has been happy to set up Teemu Selanne, but this season he is shooting more," Kings goaltender Kelly Hrudey says. "And the way he shoots, no one should be surprised at the numbers he's put up." ... Growing pains? The up-and-coming Oilers have allowed a goal in the final minute of a period 11 times this season. Ouch! ... Now here's a real icy bit. Hockey has done a great job selling itself in warm-weather cities. But the inherent heat and humidity problems continue. The surfaces in Anaheim, Florida and Los Angeles are considered the worst in the league. And Stars left wing Dave Gagner found out Dallas has an icy obstacle, too. He had a chance to score the tying goal against the Red Wings on a penalty shot with 3.4 seconds left in regulation, only to lose the puck before he got to goaltender Chris Osgood. "I'm surprised he could get in that far," Osgood says. "He needed a snowplow from the blue line in, there was so much slush on the ice."