As a child, every year you’d sit down at the kitchen table and write out your Christmas list. You’d then wake up on Christmas morning hoping that Santa Claus had brought you everything you’d wished for.
Well, this year for the NHL trade deadline, I wrote a list containing what I wish would happen on March 1st.
In the past, the actual deadline day has not been too exciting, it’s been the days and weeks previous which have seen all the action. This year that is not the case. With less than a week until the deadline, all the big names are still on the board ready to wrapped up by the deadline elves and shipped way to their new teams.
Let’s see what made my wishlist this year:
Big names get dealt.
Any NHL fan will be hoping that, come deadline day, one of the big names on the block get shipped to another team. Whether it be Kevin Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blue or Matt Duchene from the Colorado Avalanche it would just bring much more excitement to the day. Last year, we saw the bigger names like Dion Phaneuf and Eric Staal get moved before the deadline, but with only a week until the window closes we are still yet to see the big guys moved. The biggest issue would be the price tags attached to these certain players. It’s been reported that the Avalanche want a 1st round pick, a young established defensemen, a prospect, plus more for Matt Duchene which of course is tough for any team to give up. On the other hand, let’s hope that a team gives it all up to gain one of those stars.
Doan and Iggy chase the cup
Both Doan and Iginla have had extremely successful careers but are both missing one thing, a Stanley Cup ring. It’s safe to say that neither of them will be doing that on their current teams. Iginla has switched teams a few times now in order to get his name on Lord Stanley but still is yet to accomplish the dream. Doan, on the other hand, has played for the Coyotes his whole career. Not so long ago, rumours were floating around that Shane Doan was open to moving so that he could go and chase his dream. However, it is now unsure where Doan stands in that department. Nobody can deny that watching either of those legends raise the cup to the skies wouldn’t bring a smile to your face. Neither of them has exactly been superstars this season Doan only having 20 points and Iginla 16, their veteran leadership is what will get them moved.
The Unexpected
There is an obvious list of players who are on the block. However, having those couple of guys get unexpectedly traded would really spice up the day, kind of like when Demarcus Cousins got traded in the NBA. If a trade like that could happen all NHL fans would be ecstatic. Maybe the guy is Tyler Johnson from Tampa Bay (a restricted free-agent) or maybe Josh Manson from Anaheim, who really knows. All that matters is that a deal like this could potentially happen, adding some excitement back into the day.