Breaking down the Caps' trade possibilities at second-line center
By Katie Carrera
To go along with the story on the Capitals' need for a second-line center, below is another look at the players who could be possibilities.
(Keep in mind that it is difficult to know precisely which players General Manager George McPhee might target for a number of reasons, including whether he believes any of Washington's young centers or prospects might be ready for primetime in the coming years, or what the return cost of any of these players might be.)
Jason Arnott, 36, New Jersey
Stats: 56 GP, 13 G, 11 A, 24 P, minus-9
Contract: In final year of a deal with a $4.5 million cap hit this season and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Arnott is a proven two-way center with 17 years and 1,155 NHL games of experience to his credit, along with several lengthy playoff runs and a Stanley Cup ring. The addition of veteran savvy and possibly some more leadership, not unlike that provided by Sergei Fedorov in years past, could be quite a valuable commodity.
Arnott has a no-movement clause in his current contract, though, so it is ultimately up to the veteran center to decide if he wants to leave the Devils. Should he be willing to waive it, it's likely New Jersey would like the chance to restock with draft picks and young players.
General Manager Lou Lamoriello "never approached me and asked me" to waive the no-trade clause, Arnott told The Record. "I think we both knew the time would probably come if we didn't start winning. That was my goal. I want to play in the playoffs. I don't have many years left, so I want to try to win another Stanley Cup."
Tim Connolly, 29, Buffalo
Stats: 41 GP, 8 G, 17 A, 25 P, minus-10
Contract: In final year of a deal with a $4.5 million cap hit and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Sabres are only two points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. How much they're willing deal likely depends on how well they do before the Feb. 28 deadline and if they believe they will reach the postseason.
That said, there is new ownership in place in Buffalo and it's not beyond the realm of possibility to think they might want to try to get something for Connolly, who has been up and down during his time with the Sabres. But when not bothered by injuries, like a groin problem earlier this season, he can be a dependable playmaker.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES
When opening up to consider players who won't be rentals by virtue of an expiring contract at the end of this season, the picture gets murkier. But based on which teams likely won't make the playoffs, there are some that could be sellers. This is by no means an exhaustive list:
Stephen Weiss, 27 , Florida
Stats: 55 GP, 15 G, 22 A, 37 P, minus-7
Contract: Signed through 2012-13 with a cap hit of $3.1 million per season.
The Panthers are trying to rebuild back to relevancy once again, and on Feb. 5 General Manager Dale Tallon told NHL.com he would at least listen to any offers: ""Yeah, why not?" Tallon said. "This team hasn't done anything in 10 years, so why wouldn't I? It's not like we're a championship team. We've got to get better in every area."
Weiss is a considerable asset for the Panthers, who drafted him in 2001, but Tallon has already sent another player viewed as a building block away when he traded goaltending prospect Andrew Salak with Michael Frolik to Chicago for three players that include a former first-round pick and a prospect. Another wrinkle, though, is that Weiss has a no-move clause that kicked in this season, so he would have to approve of a trade.
Derick Brassard, 23, Columbus
Stats: 57 GP, 14 G, 25 A, 39 P, minus-1
Contract: Signed through 2013-14 with a cap hit of $3.2 million per season.
The young centerman has already set new career best marks for points and goals this season but much like Antoine Vermette, who is listed below, any possible move here would likely be predicated on the Blue Jackets' success leading up to the trade deadline and the return cost. According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Blue Jackets are in need of mobile defensemen.
All that said, Brassard took a slap shot to the left hand in last night's loss to the Kings. Tom Reed of the Dispatch reports that Brassard said he's been told he'll miss "a couple weeks."
Antoine Vermette, 28, Columbus
Stats: 57 GP, 13 G, 18 A, 31 P, plus-2
Contract: Signed through 2014-15 with a cap hit of $3.75 million per season.
Dubbed the center of the future to play alongside Blue Jackets star Rick Nash when he was acquired at the 2009 trade deadline, Vermette has underwhelmed in Columbus this year and Brassard has spent quite a bit of time on the top line with Nash. That said, the price tag for Vermette would likely be high as it would be with Brassard.
(Keep in mind that it is difficult to know precisely which players General Manager George McPhee might target for a number of reasons, including whether he believes any of Washington's young centers or prospects might be ready for primetime in the coming years, or what the return cost of any of these players might be.)
Jason Arnott, 36, New JerseyStats: 56 GP, 13 G, 11 A, 24 P, minus-9
Contract: In final year of a deal with a $4.5 million cap hit this season and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Arnott is a proven two-way center with 17 years and 1,155 NHL games of experience to his credit, along with several lengthy playoff runs and a Stanley Cup ring. The addition of veteran savvy and possibly some more leadership, not unlike that provided by Sergei Fedorov in years past, could be quite a valuable commodity.
Arnott has a no-movement clause in his current contract, though, so it is ultimately up to the veteran center to decide if he wants to leave the Devils. Should he be willing to waive it, it's likely New Jersey would like the chance to restock with draft picks and young players.
General Manager Lou Lamoriello "never approached me and asked me" to waive the no-trade clause, Arnott told The Record. "I think we both knew the time would probably come if we didn't start winning. That was my goal. I want to play in the playoffs. I don't have many years left, so I want to try to win another Stanley Cup."
Tim Connolly, 29, BuffaloStats: 41 GP, 8 G, 17 A, 25 P, minus-10
Contract: In final year of a deal with a $4.5 million cap hit and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Sabres are only two points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. How much they're willing deal likely depends on how well they do before the Feb. 28 deadline and if they believe they will reach the postseason.
That said, there is new ownership in place in Buffalo and it's not beyond the realm of possibility to think they might want to try to get something for Connolly, who has been up and down during his time with the Sabres. But when not bothered by injuries, like a groin problem earlier this season, he can be a dependable playmaker.
OTHER POSSIBILITIES
When opening up to consider players who won't be rentals by virtue of an expiring contract at the end of this season, the picture gets murkier. But based on which teams likely won't make the playoffs, there are some that could be sellers. This is by no means an exhaustive list:
Stephen Weiss, 27 , FloridaStats: 55 GP, 15 G, 22 A, 37 P, minus-7
Contract: Signed through 2012-13 with a cap hit of $3.1 million per season.
The Panthers are trying to rebuild back to relevancy once again, and on Feb. 5 General Manager Dale Tallon told NHL.com he would at least listen to any offers: ""Yeah, why not?" Tallon said. "This team hasn't done anything in 10 years, so why wouldn't I? It's not like we're a championship team. We've got to get better in every area."
Weiss is a considerable asset for the Panthers, who drafted him in 2001, but Tallon has already sent another player viewed as a building block away when he traded goaltending prospect Andrew Salak with Michael Frolik to Chicago for three players that include a former first-round pick and a prospect. Another wrinkle, though, is that Weiss has a no-move clause that kicked in this season, so he would have to approve of a trade.
Derick Brassard, 23, ColumbusStats: 57 GP, 14 G, 25 A, 39 P, minus-1
Contract: Signed through 2013-14 with a cap hit of $3.2 million per season.
The young centerman has already set new career best marks for points and goals this season but much like Antoine Vermette, who is listed below, any possible move here would likely be predicated on the Blue Jackets' success leading up to the trade deadline and the return cost. According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Blue Jackets are in need of mobile defensemen.
All that said, Brassard took a slap shot to the left hand in last night's loss to the Kings. Tom Reed of the Dispatch reports that Brassard said he's been told he'll miss "a couple weeks."
Antoine Vermette, 28, ColumbusStats: 57 GP, 13 G, 18 A, 31 P, plus-2
Contract: Signed through 2014-15 with a cap hit of $3.75 million per season.
Dubbed the center of the future to play alongside Blue Jackets star Rick Nash when he was acquired at the 2009 trade deadline, Vermette has underwhelmed in Columbus this year and Brassard has spent quite a bit of time on the top line with Nash. That said, the price tag for Vermette would likely be high as it would be with Brassard.
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