FOX Sports Exclusive
What factors are freezing NHL's trade market?
Share This Story
The NHL 2010 Entry Draft will likely go down in history as among the quietest in league history in terms of movement of established players.
Usually the draft is a time when trades are made, especially by teams in the midst of rebuilding, shedding contracts which no longer fit under their respective salary caps or getting rid of players who no longer fit into a team’s future plans.
NHL Entry Draft
What happened at the NHL Entry Draft? We have you covered.
- Hall, Seguin bound for comparisons
- Draft picks enjoy time in L.A.
- Hall drafted No. 1, Seguin No. 2
- 2010 first-round selections
- Photos: Top draft prospects
Last year’s draft saw a marked decrease in player movement which was blamed on the slow increase in the salary cap. Still, notable stars like Chris Pronger and Jay Bouwmeester were traded during the draft weekend
The increase of next season’s salary cap by more than $2.5 million to $59.4 million was expected to spur clubs into increase trade activity, and in the days leading up to this year’s draft weekend the trading of several notable players — Jaroslav Halak, Dan Hamhuis, Jason Arnott, Nathan Horton and Dustin Byfuglien — ramped up speculation of even more trades to come during the draft.
There weren’t any deals of note at this year’s draft apart from the Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers making a multi-player swap with defenseman Keith Ballard as the centerpiece, the negotiating rights of Hamhuis being dealt again (this time to Pittsburgh) and the trading of three marginal players (Mike Brown, Vladimir Sobotka and Bobby Sanguinetti).
Salary cap constraints are being blamed for that lack of substantive trade activity. With 18 teams currently sitting with payrolls more than $45 million for next season — nearly half of those sitting at more than $50 million — plus another nine clubs operating under self-imposed salary caps far lower than the league’s ceiling, it became very difficult for general manager to find potential trade partners.
That included those hoping to find rivals interested in taking high-salaried stars off their hands.
Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray admitted to gauging interest around the league in star center Jason Spezza, who’d told Murray this spring he wouldn’t object to a trade.
Ordinarily a top-line center like Spezza would attract considerable interest, but his $7 million per season contract (coupled with a $4 million bonus he’s slated to receive on July 1) just wasn’t palatable for cost-conscious general managers.
The looming unrestricted free-agent period, starting at noon ET on July 1, was also a factor.
While this year’s free agent talent pool isn’t considered a deep one —New Jersey Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk is the only major star available — it could prove attractive for general managers seeking decent talent at affordable prices.
It’s still possible there could be more substantial trades in the coming weeks.
The Boston Bruins are reportedly shopping former Vezina-winning goalie Tim Thomas and first-line center Marc Savard while the Toronto Maple Leafs are fielding offers for defenseman Tomas Kaberle.
Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher is in the market for a scoring center and would prefer to land one via trade rather than free agency, and it’s rumored the Chicago Blackhawks might not be done making salary-dumping deals.
Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini hopes to find takers for disgruntled defenseman Sheldon Souray while the Tampa Bay Lightning might try to move a high-salaried veteran like Ryan Malone though Vincent Lecavalier and re-sign Martin St. Louis aren’t available.
Despite the trade rumors, if the absence of significant player movement during the draft is any indication, it could take those aforementioned clubs weeks to find what they’re seeking in the trade market.
More Stories From Spector
Trending Now
-
Manager: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says. -
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Two killed as rally car strikes crowd
A race car went out of control on a rural Irish road and crashed into a crowd of abou... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
Roddick doesn't deserve all this blame
We can't hold Roddick to unfair standard any longer.
NHL Videos
Stanley Cup Preview: X Factors
Posted: May 29, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Posted: May 28, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
Stanley Cup Preview: Coaches & Strategy
Posted: May 28, 2012
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
NHL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 124.95 | Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack |
| Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 | 11.95 | Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick |
| Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Jose_Sharks/browse/featuredproduct/700543/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_700000/ff_700543_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black |
| Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.