Dreger's trade deadline thoughts for Canucks, Flames, Jets

Darren Dreger was on Edmonton’s TSN 1260 on Tuesday morning.

On which of Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg would be willing to shell out the price at the trade deadline to keep their team in a playoff spot:

“Good question, because all three of those Western Conference teams do have needs that the managers want to address. There’s no doubt about that. But are they willing to tear apart a piece of their existing team or a piece of their future? I’m not sure on that.

“Vancouver maybe. Vancouver is looking for scoring. I know that they’ve had ongoing discussions – up until last week, anyway – on Bartkowski and the Boston Bruins because of the Bieksa injury. But what I also know is that Vancouver is not willing to move out some of the assets that they’ve worked hard, the younger players, to add over the years. To get the pieces, maybe Vancouver has to give a bit more.

“Calgary is in an enviable spot. Open to almost anything. But keenly aware that again, they’re in a full-out renovation here. This season is a huge bonus for this group in terms of the culture that’s developed, the young talent that’s there and seems to be a real good fit in the National Hockey League.

“You could maybe move a Curtis Glencross, as an example, and get something of value in return. The Flames are always looking for defensemen. Most teams are. But they’re not touching their youth either.

“And then in Winnipeg, it’s been well-documented that Cheveldayoff is hunting for a top-9 forward. But again, at what cost? They’ve got depth on their blueline. I think that Cheveldayoff would absolutely consider moving one of his defense in that 5, 6, 7 category if he could fetch a top-9 forward. But I don’t get the sense that Winnipeg is again willing to jeopardize its future because they’re in a playoff spot.”

Source: TSN 1260/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey

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