Bruce Garrioch again mentioned in his rumor column that teams are interested in Whitney and Fiddler.
In a chat with fans on ESPN, Craig Custance doesn't believe the Washington Capitals will need to do anything drastic. He thinks they'll pursue a Top 4 D, won't have to give up a player like Green, and if Nill is willing he thinks Trevor Daley is a good target.
Saying these three games have no impact is a bit silly. We've said all along where Dallas is in the standings will have the biggest impact on how they approach the deadline. 1-8-1 doesn't change that, and neither does wins against MIN, TOR, and PIT.
Less than a week ago:
“We’re in a competitive business, and our goal is to make the playoffs,’’ he said. “It would be huge for this organization to get into the playoffs this year, so we go into every game doing everything we can to win that game. That’s the focus, and we put a lot of work into it.’’
However, he added that he can’t focus solely on the game-to-game play.
“I do look at wining every game, I look at all of the issues that goes into that and what we can do better,’’ he said. “But I also have to look at big picture, and so it is a little different for me. We need to win, but we can’t win at all costs.’’
Nill used an example that he could trade his draft picks right now to acquire players that could help the Stars lineup, and that the team has the cap space to pull a trade like that. But is now the time to add an older player that another team is trying to dump, especially if that older player has some term on his contract?
Dallas is now 5 points back, and the 2 teams ahead of them (PHX and VAN) have worse records over the last 10 games than Dallas). There's no doubt in my mind that Dallas' sell off is impacted by where they are on March 5th. It would be pretty silly to assume that doesn't matter.
I still think regardless of points back or standings, Dallas will seriously shop Robidas, Whitney, and Fiddler. The impact the standings will have is on guys like Garbutt, Cole, Daley, etc.
I'd be less confident they move Robidas if Dallas does get to 2 or 3 points back or better from the playoffs, but my gut feeling is he's gone. They likely have little hope of re-signing him, his return could be significant, and they have demonstrated they can play without him. If the current 7 can hold up, his potential return is probably too great to pass.
Whitney is just average .... plain and simple. He's looked better at times, but I can't see justifying him remaining on the roster over Colton Sceviour moving forward. Like Robidas, you know you have a replacement ready to go. I doubt we'll see him much longer.
Fiddler is questionable. He's a mainstay on the PK, but with Jamie Benn getting more time, you might already have a guy to take over that short handed ice time. With Seguin and Eakin's line pretty much locked in, Dallas should feel comfortable with Peverley and Horcoff at center if they move Fiddler. My guess if teams really are willing to give a 2nd or better, he's gone. If he's worth less, he probably stays.
Despite Garbutt's solid play this year, he probably still doesn't have a ton of value in the trade market. He'll be one of the guys not trade IMO if they are still close to the 8th spot. His value to Dallas is greater than the probably insignificant asset he's worth on the market ... even if that means losing him for nothing in the summer (I assume it does). He's honestly turning into a guy that's pretty similar to Nystrom. Didn't command much at the deadline, but teams were willing to over pay in free agency. I guess we'll see with him, but at 28 years old he's going to try and cash in and potentially price himself out of Dallas' budget.
This team is really ridiculous and unpredictable. No one in their right mind could have predicted 1-8-1, and this mini run comes out of no where. Hopefully they'll be more consistent moving forward, but my guess is they'll continue to have huge swings of great and awful play. I just hope we don't have to endure another 10 game stretch with 1 win ... that was miserable.
Like I said though, I do think they're still poised to sell off most of the free agents, but they could find better deals for the other guys in the off-season likely. More teams will have space, and every team will be looking to re-make their roster rather than a handful of playoff teams.
I do wonder if Dallas will look to the waiver wire for some more depth. If both Whitney and Fiddler are moved, Jeffrey is back in as a regular. Usually some good players with expiring contracts hit waivers around the deadline.
Benn-Seguin-Nuchushkin
Roussel-Eakin-Garbutt
Cole-Peverley-Sceviour
Jeffrey/Waivers-Horcoff-Chiasson
PK Pairs: Eakin-Roussel; Peverley-Benn ; Horcoff-Garbutt
PP: Cole-Benn-Chiasson/Nuke-Seguin-Goligoski
PP: Horcoff/Sceviour-Eakin-Chiasson/Nuke-Peverley-Gonchar
