Allan Muir restructures the NHL

Allan Muir of SI.com has some ideas in an article perhaps ironically titled 10 deals that make the most sense.

Let’s go through the trades he proposes:

Buffalo sends Brian Campbell to San Jose for Devin Setoguchi, Dan Spang and a 2009 first-rounder

Price seems a little steep for what amounts to a rental of a defenceman, but basically a decent trade for a player the Sharks need.

Atlanta sends Marian Hossa to Montreal for Chris Higgins, Ryan O’Byrne and 2008 first rounder

This is probably what it would take to get Hossa, but I can’t imagine Montreal cleaning the cupboards so thoroughly for a rental - especially O’Byrne, who gives the team a component of size and toughness that it desperately has needed for about 15 straight years.

Montreal sends Michael Ryder to Edmonton for Jarrett Stoll

Meh. If Ryder showed any signs of coming out of the tailspin he’s been in all season Montreal would be insane to make this trade - as it stands I’d almost be surprised if Edmonton was willing.

Toronto sends Mats Sundin to Vancouver for Luc Bourdon, Mason Raymond and 2008 first rounder

Apparently Muir’s “suggestions for what I’d like to see happen” includes the Leafs staying non-competitive for years to come by altruistically helping out other teams. Doug Weight was traded for 3 players and 3 draft picks - Forberg netted Philly Parent, Upshall, a first round and a third round pick. Sundin he sees being traded for a potential second line winger, a potential #3 defenceman, and a late first round pick.

Now, I’m not saying that this isn’t a potentially fair trade - because it actually is when you consider that Sundin is a rental. What I’m saying is that Fletcher’s family better have been facing mortal danger from which only this trade could rescue them - because that is the only possible explanation why, with the number of teams that will be willing to offer a lot more than this, he would waste this opportunity on a couple of character players and a pick.

If I’m Fletcher my first conversation about trading Sundin begins in Anaheim with Bobby Ryan and the Edmonton Oilers 2008 first round pick - then we go from there.

IF Sundin agrees to be traded he should net the largest return package of any rental player since the lockout because he would be (by a looooonnnng shot) the best player that has been traded in a deadline deal since then. The teams in the bidding are probably: Anaheim, San Jose, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Philladelphia, New Jersey and maybe Dallas. Montreal and Ottawa are probably (probably) out due to fan opinion, but at least three of the teams have a need for a player like Sundin that could be mildly described as desperate.

Sundin is currently a +9 wth 57 points on a team that is -28 in GF/GA. To put a bit more perspective on that Jokinen is -11 on a team that is -9 in GF/GA and Hossa is -16. Both of them are behind him in points. For any team looking for an instant upgrade on offence, there is no player available even close to Sundin’s level - hell Vancouver, Dallas, Montreal and New Jersey don’t have a better player in their lineups now.

Toronto sends Darcy Tucker to Detroit for Justin Abdelaker and Kyle Quincey

Ah, I see the plan - your prediction is that Toronto’s generosity to Vancouver moves Detroit to do some charity work of their own. Detroit will then volunteer to take on $3 million in salary over the next 2 years for an undersized 32 year old winger with a -5 plus/minus, and 16 points on the season (5 of which were in the last 5 games). And they’ll throw in a couple of solid prospects as well. I’d make this trade immediately if it Detroit ever loses it’s collective minds and offers it.

Los Angeles sends Rob Blake to New York Rangers for Nigel Dawes and a conditional 2008 pick

Why would Blake agree to go to another non-contending club? Can New York even fit his salary under the cap?

Florida sends Olli Jokinen to Calgary for Alex Tanguay and Dustin Boyd

This trade makes some sense, although I would think Florida would be looking for less ‘he can fill a role now’ and more ‘potential greatness’ if they’re going to trade away Jokinen - even if they’re doing it because they’re sure they can’t sign him.

Colorado sends John-Michael Liles to Philadelphia for Scottie Upshall and Denis Bodrov

Colorado has no motivation to make this deal, unless your opinion is that they really want to see the Flyers go deeper in the post-season.

Tampa Bay sends Vaclav Prospal to Dallas for Antti Miettinen and Chris Conner

Sure why not.

Columbus sends Adam Foote to Washington for Chris Bourque, Josh Godfrey, 2008 second-rounder

Adam Foote is still playing in the NHL? I’m not sure I’d consider him a viable option for extending the shelf-life of Olaf Kolzig, but hey, maybe Washington is trying to get older while continuing to have no shot at winning in the post-season.

All I can say is this: Allan Muir is probably now the front-runner to be the next GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs.