The NHL Column: Trade Rentals Available Earlier Than Usual

by Christopher Botta

Filed under: Devils, Islanders, Oilers, Panthers

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Thanks to at least two teams already fading from the playoff picture, it's also beginning to look like NHL Trade Deadline rentals are coming into focus. General managers (and fans) may start to feel like that kid on the Shop NHL commercial who gets the Alex Ovechkin jersey.

Reality is setting in for the bottom-dwellers. Since the lockout of 1994-95, no NHL team has overcome more than an in-season deficit of more than 13 points and qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The New Jersey Devils are currently 18 points out of eighth place in the East, while the New York Islanders are 21 back. Rebuilding teams in Florida (eight points out of the playoff picture) and Edmonton (eight back in the West) also need young NHLers, prospects and draft picks more than veterans at the end of their contracts.

The Devils and Islanders may look like bad teams right now, but that doesn't mean they don't have high-quality personnel who could be available at the trade deadline. Add in Florida and Edmonton, and it's not a bad market for buyers. The shopping list includes ...

Jason Arnott: The Devils traded a second round pick to Nashville for an encore with Arnott that doesn't appear to have a happy ending. On the last year of his contract, Arnott would still be a worthwhile add for a team looking for size, ability and Stanley Cup experience at the pivot.

Ryan Jones: After four years at Miami University and a pair in Nashville's system, Jones (seven goals in 30 games) is having a mini-breakout with the Oilers. Just 26 years old, Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini may look to sign the pending unrestricted free agent, but Jones could be available before the trade deadline.

 

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