Monday, January 19, 2009

Bouweester trade a bad idea?

After resigning 2002 top pick Jay Bouweester to a one-year deal in the off-season, the Panthers immediately put themselves in a tough situation. They'd likely have to deal Bouweester by the end of the season for picks and prospects, all standard practice for a struggling franchise like Florida, one who hasn't made the playoffs since 2000 (Pavel Bure lead that team in scoring). However, with the Panthers sitting a point out of the playoffs as of January 19th, and three games in hand on the Pittsburgh team they trail, things have become a lot more complicated in Sunrise.

The question is begged, what is more important to the Panthers? Making the playoffs for the first time in 9 years or ensuring they get some sort of return on Bouweester, who has made it all but certain that he will be fleeing for greener pastures at season's end? The Panthers could certainly use the prospects. Their defensive future looks very uncertain, despite the addition of a slew of veterans in the off-season. Bouweesteer is the youngest defenseman on the roster, and their American Hockey League affiliate Rochester Americans sit in last the entire league with 33 points in 42 games.

It will likely serve the Panthers better to attempt to deal Bouweester for a top pick (1st or 2nd round) in the 2009 Draft and perhaps get another defensive prospect. Plenty of teams could use a rugged defenseman for the stretch drive, and he would be a nice fit out West in Minnesota or Edmonton. The asking price will be steep for Bouweester though and teams may have learned that gambling like the Pittsburgh Penguins did last year for Marian Hossa and taking a chance that a rental player will re-sign can be risky business, possibly hindering a return on one of the game's finest young defenseman.

OTHER NOTES

-The San Jose Sharks picked a big two points over the weekend with a victory over the Detroit Red Wings, 6-5. After the Wings spanked the Sharks 6-0 in their last meeting, this was definitely a big statement game from San Jose, who got four points out of Ryan Clowe (0,4) and had another three from Milan Michalek (1,2). Team teams meet again on February 25th in Detroit for their final meeting, with the sharks taking 2 of the first 3.

-Atlanta's rookie defenseman Zach Bogosian picked up his first career assist in the first period of their 7-2 triumph over Nashville this weekend, followed by his first career goal in the 3rd period. Rich Peverley, claimed off waivers by Atlanta last week, has excelled centering Ilya Kovalchuk and has picked up six points (1,5) in his first three games as a Thrasher.

-The poor New York Islanders still have not picked up a victory in 2009. They fell to 0-7-1 with a 2-1 loss to the Capitals on Monday, with Alex Ovechkin notching the game-winning goal. Maybe Tavares will end up on Long Island after all?

-Claude Lemieux has been called up at the ripe, youthful age of 43. Enough said.

That about sums it up for today. Mike Nick will be chiming in tomorrow with some more hockey Nonsense.

-Buotte

1 comment:

  1. the Panthers sitting a point out of the playoffs as of January 19th
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