{coyotes} NHL trade deadline: Sizing up West; buyers or sellers?

 

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With the NHL trade deadline a week away, here's an overview of each Western Conference team's status and an analysis of the general manager's trading prowess.

Anaheim Ducks

Buyer: The Ducks could use another scorer up front, preferably one with grit, and they can afford to part with a defenseman . Anaheim has the potential to make a long playoff run. The Ducks will be 'all-in' when it comes to preparing for the postseason.

General manager Bob Murray: His expertise and value was evident in his decision not to fire coach Bruce Boudreau when the team was floundering earlier this season. He knew that Boudreau could get the Ducks flying again. Murray is forceful trader. Even in an era of salary cap concerns, he finds a way to get major deals done.

Arizona Coyotes

Buyer/Seller: The Coyotes are in a tricky situation because they are still in the playoff race. They know they can land a strong return for Mikkel Boedker, an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Coyotes would be open to any return with long-term potential. However, a blue chip defenseman is on the top of their list.

Don Maloney: Given all of the turmoil that this franchise has known over the past several years, Maloney has done a masterful job of keeping the Coyotes relevant on a restrictive budget. He is savvy and creative. Maloney has put together a quality collection of younger players. Long term, it might be best for the organization to become a seller and hope to land Arizona native Auston Matthews through the draft lottery.

Calgary Flames

Seller: Most teams view the Flames as sellers even if they have not committed to that publicly.  With several teams in the market for scoring, smallish forward Jiri Hudler has plenty of value. Defenseman Kris Russell is drawing interest. Both players can be unrestricted free agents this summer.

Brad Treliving: The prevailing wisdom last summer was that Treliving hit a home run with his acquisition of Dougie Hamilton. It is not often that you land a big, young, skillful defenseman without giving up someone on your roster.

Chicago Blackhawks

Buyer: Blackhawks are looking for a scoring forward to play with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa, who will be out a few weeks with a leg injury. Andrew Ladd could be on their radar. He was a member of their 2010 championship team.

Stan Bowman: His credentials as a mover and shaker are beyond reproach. Under his command, the Blackhawks have won three Stanley Cups. He has made major roster changes after each title. Bowman isn't afraid to act boldly. He will move assets to improve his team at the deadline.

Colorado Avalanche

Buyer: As much as the Avs would like to add a difference-maker on defense, they are more likely to acquire a dependable veteran. Wanting to improve their depth up front, the Avs have already traded for Shawn Matthias. They won't give up first- or second-round picks.

Joe Sakic: The general impression of Sakic is that he is quietly effective. Coach Patrick Roy also has an important say in personnel decisions. No one was expecting the Avalanche to be a factor in the playoff race, but they are knocking on the door.

Dallas Stars

Buyer: The Stars like their group, but they believe their younger defenseman could benefit from the presence of a veteran.

Jim Nill:  After three seasons in Dallas, Nill has already established himself as one of the most respected general managers. He is organized, insightful, aggressive and passionate. He is a strong judge of talent, and a creative trader. He has traded for Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza and Patrick Sharp. Given his history, it's hard to foresee the Stars standing pat.

Edmonton Oilers

Seller: The Oilers are open to any offer that immediately helps their defense or fits into their rebuilding efforts around Connor McDavid. It appears that they would like to trade defenseman Justin Schultz. Would they be willing to move injured center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to get a top-four defenseman? Nugent-Hopkins should be back in 3-4 weeks.

Peter Chiarelli: The Bruins still benefit from Chiarelli's work. He knows how to build a strong organization. But he has a mixed history as a trader. The Bruins would like to have a do-over on the Seguin trade.

Los Angeles Kings

Buyer: The acquisition of Vinny Lecavalier and Luke Schenn was step No. 1. The Kings are still looking to make a giant step — as in acquiring a top-four defenseman.

Dean Lombardi: You always hear stories about Lombardi holing up in his office at all hours of the night watching video of players he wants to acquire. He has a history of finding a way to make the deals to fill holes. Think Jeff Carter. Think Marian Gaborik.

Minnesota Wild

Buyer: The Wild have already changed coaches to put a charge into their playoff hopes. The next logical move would be to acquire a player or two to jazz up their offense. They could move a defenseman.

Chuck Fletcher: Fletcher is feeling pressure to ensure the Wild make the playoffs. He's a pro's pro when it comes to doing his job. He's known to be thorough, always careful to strike a balance between winning today and planning for the future. But it might be time for him to swing for the fences.

Nashville Predators

Buyer: The Predators have to make the playoffs, and they are expected to make deadline moves to bolster their scoring. Peter Laviolette is an offensive-minded coach and he needs more scoring touch up front.

David Poile: Because of his stately presence, Poile has long been mislabeled as a conservative general manager. The truth is he is among the most aggressive ones, evidenced by trading prize young defenseman Seth Jones for No. 1 center Ryan Johansen.

St. Louis Blues

Buyer: The Blues have been looking for another scorer for most of the season, and that need has become more apparent with Alexander Steen out for a month. They have depth on defense, and veteran Kevin Shattenkirk is a player who might be moved if it's a defenseman-for-a-forward deal.

Doug Armstrong: His reputation as one of the most respected general managers is supported by the fact that he was chosen to be Canada's GM at the World Cup.  He has the patience and nerve to wait until he gets the deal he wants. Armstrong wanted to see where his team was at once it got healthy before before swinging a deal. But he will make something happen.

San Jose Sharks

Buyer: Let's not forget that Patrick Marleau asked for a trade earlier in the season, and there are teams in the Eastern Conference looking for scoring. The Sharks improved their depth with the acquisitions of Nick Spaling and Roman Polak, but they traded away two second-round picks.

Doug Wilson: He is a known as a patient general manager, someone who wants to give his group the time necessary to make it happen. But Wilson showed urgency last summer when he traded for Martin Jones and signed Joel Ward and Paul Martin. He also acted early this trade season. Expect him to continue that aggressiveness at the deadline.

Vancouver Canucks

Buyer/Seller: The Canucks have not surrendered on the idea of making the playoffs, but if they become sellers Radim Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis are two rental players likely to be moved. It's still possible that Hamhuis may get re-signed. If he doesn't, there would be 10 teams interested in acquiring a player with 849 games on the blue line.

Jim Benning: In Benning's short time in Vancouver, he has established that he is not timid. He's shipped out Ryan Kesler, Kevin Bieksa, Zack Kassian, Nick Bonino and Eddie Lack, among others. He has not hit any mammoth home runs, although the Brandon Sutter acquisition could end up in his win column. The general fan reaction to his trades hasn't been favorable.

Winnipeg Jets

Seller: If the Jets don't re-sign Ladd, he will be among the most coveted rental players.

Kevin Cheveldayoff: Although he has developed a reputation for being conservative, Cheveldayoff did pull off a whopper of a  deal with the Buffalo Sabres last season that brought Tyler Myers and prospects to Winnipeg.

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