LA KINGS OUTSIDER 2.0

Fredrik Modin: Steal Of The Deadline? First off, anything I say about the Kings acquisitions can only really be a supplement to what Rich Hammond's already provided .  He's pretty much given Kings fans everything they need to know about the two newest Kings; from what position they play to their favorite teacher in kindergarten. A number of former Kings were dealt at the deadline this year (Lubomir Visonvsky to ANA, Eric Belanger & Joe Corvo to WAS, Mathieu Schneider to PHX).  I would have liked to bring any of those players back... So what did the Kings do?  They didn't acquire Paul Kariya.  However, they did acquire a couple of veterans to add to the team's depth without trading any roster players, top prospects or top picks. The Kings acquired center Jeff Halpern from Tampa Bay in exchange for Teddy Purcell and Florida's 2010 3rd Round Pick.   First, I though awesome but that's quite a bit for a third-line checking center.  I assume Dean Lom...

Aaron Ward's A Three-Time Cup Champion I've been caught up in all the great Olympic hockey.  I'll see if I can crank a couple of these out tonight before all the craziness starts on Wednesday. ROSTER ANALYSIS The Canes are a funny team.  One year in the playoffs.  One year out.  This year they're definitely out.  A slow start cost them the season.  A freak injury to Cam Ward has left them scrambling to find a starting goalie.  They're a good team that will be looking to move a few veterans, restock the draft cabinet and hit the restart button next year.  A core of Eric Staal, Cam Ward and Brandon Sutter is a nice start. POSSIBLE TARGETS 1. Ray Whitney (UFA 887,500)- His name has been linked to the Kings more than any other player on the market right now .  There's really not much more to say about him.  I can't see Dean parting with a first-round pick for 'The Wizard.' 2. Joe Corvo (UFA 656,250)- Remember Joe?  He's got a bomb...

Kariya And Kopitar Would Be Awesome Paul Kariya is available.  Per Andy Strickland . Word is Paul Kariya would waive his no-movement clause if he has a chance to move to a true Cup contender.  Yes, Paul Kariya would be a perfect fit for the Kings.  Here's Why . Oh and by the way, US destroyed Finland.  Canada took care of business.  See you Sunday afternoon.  I want revenge on that crooked Canadian judge that did Apolo Ohno wrong tonight with that disqualification.

Nikita Filatov Would Look Good In L.A. ROSTER ANALYSIS The Blue Jackets are loaded with young talent at all positions.  Calder Winner and Vezina nominated Steve Mason has suffered a terrible sophomore jinx.  Mason's struggles in goal cost head coach Ken Hitchcock his job in Columbus.  Many felt Hitchcock's defensive system kept alot of their young high-skilled forwards from succeeding.  The Jackets are a good team that hasn't been able able to catch a break this season.  They've got a good young core and shouldn't be looking to sell off too many pieces. POSSIBLE TARGETS 1. Fredrik Modin (UFA 812,500)- Modin would be a pretty nice pick-up but he's struggled with injuries over the last two and half seasons.  He's appeared in only 23 games this season and misssed 91 games over the previous two seasons.  He was a key contributor on the Lightning's 2004 Stanley Cup team posting 19 points in 23 playoff games.  Although he's gone pointless in nine pla...

Kaberle A King? Could Be Nice! ROSTER ANALYSIS The vultures have been circling the Leafs for sometime.  Calgary poached a number of the Leafs attractive deadline pieces but Brian Burke has kept their biggest trading chip in Tomas Kaberle.  The Leafs are desperate for a first-round pick in the next two drafts.  Any team willing to deal their first-rounder will have Brian Burke's attention.  The Leafs have established two cornerstones in Kessel and Phaneuf; everyone else should be on the table. POSSIBLE TARGETS 1. Tomas Kaberle (1.062M, UFA 4.25M)- Kaberle is probably the most highly-debated topic in Toronto.  He has a no-movement clause that will be lifted this off-season.  He wants to be a Leaf.  Keep Him or Trade Him.  Reminds me alot of the Mats Sundin/Toronto Saga. Kaberle is a true power play quarterback who's decent enough in his own end not to be considered just a PP specialist.  He gets a bit pass happy but he's one of the best puc...

The Kings Should Welcome Sully Back With the NHL Trade Deadline just a few days after the conclusion of the Olympics; NHL GM's are laying the groundwork for their deadline deals now.  And for the first time under the Dean Lombardi-era; the Kings are absolutely buyers.  Lombardi did his best to temper fan's expectations at the deadline but what fun are trades without the speculation. I'm using sportsclubstats.com's playoff odds to distinguish who the sellers will be.  Teams with less than a 25% of making the playoffs will be discussed. A few criteria to narrow down the search: No Goalies. UFA status within the next two years. RFA status next year ROSTER ANALYSIS   The Oilers have struggled with long-term injuries to their three best players this season: Hemsky, Khabibulin and Souray.  The rest of their roster is made up of too many players with the same skill-sets that are being overpaid.  Too many undersized second line forwards.  Too many offe...