Melrose's Place for transactions of 02/10/09

Melrose's Place for transactions of 02/10/09

Well I hope the rust didn't show yesterday when I finally got the old typewriter out and talked about the Panthers/Canucks trade. I think from the scented hair gel that was sent to be by an anonymous  general manager, they liked what I had to say. Anyways, two trades in the RSHL today as we work ourselves closer to deadline day, so lets break them both down in the latest edition of Melrose's Place.

TRADE #1

To Avalanche: Mikko Koivu, Tor 5th, NYR 6th
To Jets: Scott Gomez, Que 2nd

Players Involved

Mikko Koivu – The younger brother of Saku, Miko has slowly developed into a strong second line player and is projected next year to have first line potential. In his final year of his entry contract, he is on pace to set new career totals in all categories. Could be following his brothers footsteps and be turning into the real deal.
Scott Gomez – He isn't even 30 years of age yet, but Gomez can be classified as the ‘old reliable'. On pace for his best year since Season 2 in the RSHL, Gomez has the prototypical centre attributes that one desires, as he can stick handle and play the puck like no other, while at the same time be defensively responsible. May slip though next year into a 2nd line role though as he begins to get a bit older. Will more than likely be getting a big pay raise at the end of next season as well.

Colorado Analysis: The Avalanche continue to sell off assets that have value for other franchises as they try to conduct the quick rebuild so that they can make the playoffs for season  7. There must have been some concern internally if Gomez was going to be maintain his top line value next season even though he was producing very strong numbers this year in the league. With Miko coming in they have to look at it as a wash as he will probably hold the same value Gomez has this year at much less of a cost. Only point of concern here is that they gave up the 2nd rounder which was a valueable commodity that could have helped them in another trade. I don't think that they will be able to turn their collection of late 5th and 6th draft picks into anything more than perhaps a trade up in the late 4th round or early 5th round.

Colorado Grade: B

Winnipeg Analysis:  After thinking that the acquisition of Brendan Shanahan was the answer for the teams problems, the Jets will now look to Gomez to help turn the team around. He will probably play 2nd line minutes behind Richards and ironically be paired up with Shanny and also Paul Kariya, the total cost of the line? About $12million. Still, the Jets have positioned themselves to make a run this season and the way everything was going sour, this was probably one of the last big moves the team could make in an effort to salvage the season and get to the playoffs. I will also say that getting Quebec's second rounder, even though it will be late in the round, was a good piece of protection incase the team does need to blow everything up and rebuild  

Winnipeg Grade: B+

TRADE #2

To Avalanche: Miroslav Satan, Nathan Paetsch, $1million
To Islanders: Bryan Berard, Radim Vrbata

 Players Involved

Mirsolav Satan – Having another lackluster season, Satan has natural talent that seems to just go to waste. He is not like a fine wine – or bottle of hair gel – that gets better with age, as his best years are behind him. The only positive with him is that at $2.3m for another 3 years, you at least get a 3rd line body that isn't going anywhere.
Nathan Paetsch – An oft injured player, Paestsch is a very affordable #6 or #7 defensemen that will stick around for awhile at the pro level.
Bryan Berard- Once thought by many that he could be a crown jewel in the league, Beard is pretty much washed up and appears to be playing in his final year in the RSHL. On pace to finish with his lowest career total, Beard's game brings no consistency on the offense or defense and often finds himself in the press box nursing an injury on game day. Only benefit to him is his affordable $1m contract.
Radim Vrbata – Vrbata has never had a break out year no matter how good of a natural goal scorer he truly is. Perhaps it is the lack of talent he has played with in the past, but with the numbers he puts up, its obvious his contract is a reflection of his potential and not what he can actually do. While he will be around next year, odds are he will be filling a 4th line role. 

Colorado Analysis: It is pretty obvious as to why the Avalanche would make this deal, as they made sure they at least got active guys to fill out the roster for next season, even though they are players who are lesser than what they gave up. But with the season given up upon, that makes sense. Paetsch will just fill out the back end while Satan will play 2nd and 3rd line minutes, and continue to not produce in the league.

Colorado Grade: B-

New York Islanders:  The Islanders make a very savvy deal, showing the teams fan base a commitment to win this season. Satan was a failed experiment on the island and Vrbata should be able to play top two line minutes, being finally surrounded for the first time in his career with players of his caliber. I wonder if the Avs didn't realize that Vrbata will still be in the league next season, as the Islanders will be holding onto him for a while at this point. There was no downside in this deal for the Islanders and they deserve kudos.

New York Islanders: A-