It's trade deadline time again!

[bpfox]

Once again it's time for our favorite subject this time of year. The boys are off for a while, so it's time to start our new year's predictions. The Spirit got started early by trading Patrick Asselin, Jon Mursak, Nigel Williams and Parker Vanbuskirk. All four of these players were not likely to be back next season so the time was right to move them.

Do you think there are more moves coming? If so, who do you think gets moved?

Here's some things to think about:

Saginaw currently has 5 19 year olds on it's roster. Daniels, McDonough, Combs, Chappell and Smith. Only Daniels is NHL drafted (Ottawa). Who do you try and keep for an overage season?

If you move Daniels you are committing yourself to what amounts to a rookie goalie. Can the Spirit make the playoffs with a rookie in net, or do you put your faith in Daniels to make the difference come playoff time?

Both Combs and McDonough will be highly covetted by the contenders and could bring a good return. Do you move the "heart and soul" of this year's team to try and make next year's team better? These two could and should be the "heart and soul" of next years team as well.

What about Chappell and Smith. These two are solid positional players who would most likely bring only future picks in return, but depending on what happens with Daniels, Combs and McDonough could figure to be the odd men out for overage years.

There are some of you folks out there who think Don Edwards is a complete fool, here's your chance to show us what you think should be done. Kind of a put up or shut up situation. Have fun.

PS- Those of you who don't think Don Edwards is a fool, can play along too. Peace.

[statestreet2005]

I like the trades the Edwards has done so far.

If he were the GM a few years ago I think that Nick Lees would have been traded.

Given the theme of his trades I would not be surprised to see Zaborsky traded. He won't be back next year (obviously). If he is not, then the room for a 20 year OA is not out there, otherwise he is gone.

As for the rest,

I do not see Chappel or Smith traded. If they only bring picks back, then he will do this in the off season.

I'm sure that he would like McDonough and Combs back as an OA and will see how the new goalie develops before giving up on Daniels.

I think the team you see if the team we will have on January 11th unless he can bolster the numbers a bit by adding a player or two with a draft pick (like Underwood).

[sensspiritfan]

I think the team is playing much better now after the trades. Pasquale (sp?) looks to be the real thing but one game is not enough to judge, although all the talk from Belleville is very positive.
Ryan Daniel's stock has risen substantially in the last month with his improved play. I can see them moving Daniels for 2 reasons:
1-He would probably bring the most in return
2- You don't make a trade like they did to get a goalie of the future to sit on the bench.

I think that they will have to keep McDonough and Combs because they are about 80% of team scoring and they would be hard pressed to make the playoffs this year without either one of them being traded.

Chris Chappel has really picked up his game in the past couple of weeks.

I would think it would important to make the playoffs with the young team they have even for one round to gain experience for next year and the year after.

I think with all the 1990's that this team has now that McDonough, Combs and Chappel would stay this year and next for thier skill and leadership.

[eric8199]

I know it's only been two games, but that 80% scoring has shifted a little bit with the addition of Taylor. Although they were trying to get the puck to McDonough against London so he could get his goal.

I don't see us trading McDonough or Combs. I really hope we don't, I'd like to see those two stick around.

I agree that the only big change we make is trading Daniels, and that is only made if we get something worthwhile in return. Despite how much I've ragged on him the past two seasons, he is a good goalie and I'd hate to see us throw him away and not get much in return. And as previously stated, it's hard to judge Pasquale on one game against one of the worst teams in the league.

[aj0512]

When I consider the circumstances, I'm actually pretty happy with the job that Edwards has done so far. I was a little upset about Mursak leaving, but it wasn't too bad considering he struggled this year without all of the playmakers we had last year. Williams and VanBuskirk I could have cared less about.

I really do hope we don't trade Combs and McDonough. Those two are our leaders and might be the best OA's in the league next year.

Our performance in the next few weeks will likely determine if we trade Daniels or not. In the long run, I think he probably stays.

Not sure if we should trade Zaborsky. Just because we probably aren't going to win the OHL title this year doesn't mean we should get rid of all of our OA's. We still have a solid team right now, IMO.

[donjohnson]

For those of you that think I am just a goon, think again. I am a goon with a business degree. Before we can throw out names on who we will be "selling" at the deadline, we first need to determine what the "market" will be for these players.

The player most mentioned to go thusfar is Ryan Daniels. Here is what we know about Ryan Daniels:

-He is good enough not to be back next year.
-He has played in 2 different, unsuccessful playoff runs
-He has the 2nd most experience in the OHL (Gajewski)
-He has played very strong over the past 2-3 weeks
-Has earned OHL accolades over his career
-Known to let in easy goals
-Very Streaky
-(1-4) Playoff Record and High GAA

Now that we know what other teams are looking at in Ryan Daniels, we can see that he has a lot of talent and experience to offer. Now, we must analyze the "buyers" and their goaltending situation.

Favorites:

Kitchener (57pts) - Josh Unice/Mavric Parks
Two rookie goalies. Unice is #1 in goals against and has 4 shutouts

Windsor (49pts) - Neuvirth
Already traded with Plymouth to get him

Soo (48pts) - Gajewski
Workhorse in goal

Belleville (45pts) - Mike Murphy / VanBuskirk
Don't know Murphy but he's 3rd in GAA. VanBuskirk can challenge

Oshawa (44pts) - Jacob Kovar / Daryl Borden
Borden came from Kingston and has been getting more starts lately. Neither have a good GAA

Brampton (43pts) - Bryan Pitton / Patrick Killeen (rookie)
Pitton has a lot of experience and is 2nd in GAA

London (43pts) - Steve Mason
We saw what he brings when he didn't play against us on Saturday.

Plymouth (42pts) - Jeremy Smith
They liked Smith so much that they traded Neuvirth

Looking to Make a Jump Up:

Ottawa (37pts) - Adam Courchaine (rookie)
Niagara (37pts) - Andrew Loverock (down from a year ago)
Barrie (37pts) - Andrew Perugini (experienced)
Sarnia (37pts) - Tomi Karhunen (rookie)
Missy (35pts) - Chris Carrozzi (unproven)

Conclusions:

It looks like there could be a few buyers for Ryan Daniels. From the "favorites" Kitchener jumps out at me because they have very little experience and they could use some come playoff time. Oshawa is the other team that looks like they could use some better goaltending as well. Out of the teams that are "looking to jump up", Ottawa, Sarnia and Missy are the most likely destinations for Daniels.

If I was a betting man, I would bet that Daniels will be traded to Ottawa for someone like Tyler Cuma

[spiritfan8]

I'm a fan of McD and Combs. But overagers are a highly "iffy" commodity in the OHL. Remember last year when we made the trade w/ Windsor for Maunu and Garlock? All we saw of that one was Maunu, and that was very close to the end of the season. 20 year olds may decide on college or to play in the minors as free agents, or simply to move on elsewhere. This is a very common story in the CHL. To pin your hopes on 2 guys "guaranteed" coming back next year is asking for trouble.
That being said, of course I'd love to see them back.

[bpfox]

There is a big difference between Combs/McDonough and Maunu/Garlock. Maunu and Garlock were both NHL drafted players who played for another team and were traded in the off season on the off chance they might report. Combs and McDonough on the other hand are the one ice leadership team this year and would be expected to return for an overage season. Nothing is guaranteed, but most times when overagers choose to go a different direction it's when they feel their careers are done. I think both Combs and McDonough have a lot to prove yet and playing an overage year will help both of their careers.

[spiritfan8]

OK. Say I buy that point of view; here's another. Patrick Asselin. Played his whole career for the Spirit, played well, class guy and wore the C this year. But now that 20 year old leadership is helping Oshawa. (I don't want to get into the good trade/bad trade thing here). For whatever reason--and there were plenty rumoured--Asselin wanted a trade. He got one, even though by all accounts the Spirit wanted to keep him. What's to keep Ryan and Jack from deciding the same thing next season?
I repeat--I'd love to see them both back next season. I just don't think you can depend on it happening, for any number of reasons.

[Frogger1]

I do not think it would be a bad idea to keep both Combs and McD for their OA season but I highly doubt it will happen, at least not for both. My read is that both are on the block and it is simply a matter of Saginaw's GM waiting to see what the market is and if it is enough. If I had to speculate, I would say Combs is gone by the trade deadline.

[bpfox]

spiritfan8 said:

OK. Say I buy that point of view; here's another. Patrick Asselin. Played his whole career for the Spirit, played well, class guy and wore the C this year. But now that 20 year old leadership is helping Oshawa. (I don't want to get into the good trade/bad trade thing here). For whatever reason--and there were plenty rumoured--Asselin wanted a trade. He got one, even though by all accounts the Spirit wanted to keep him. What's to keep Ryan and Jack from deciding the same thing next season?
I repeat--I'd love to see them both back next season. I just don't think you can depend on it happening, for any number of reasons.

Once again, big difference on Patrick Asselin. Now every situation is different, but let's take a look at Patrick for a moment. Here's a guy who came into the league along with Patrick McNeil and Tom Pyatt. Do you remember who their first coach in Saginaw was? Yes, it was none other than Rosie. Yes, it was that long ago. And how many coaching changes did those guys go through? Now here Patrick is facing his overage season with out his two buddies and has to deal with yet another coaching change. And people still wonder why he asked for the trade. I have never wondered.

Combs and McDonough have flourished under coach Watson. If these guys plan on playing an overage season you have to believe they would prefer to stay put. Now having said that, would Jack Combs jump at the chance to return to the Kitchener Rangers and a trip to the Memorial Cup? I don't know the answer to that one and it does not matter since he won't be the one making the decision.

The bottom line here is who gets traded and who does not get traded depends a lot on what kind of offers are out there. Every player has a price and every player is tradeable. (except of course our 16 year olds not including Pachis)

Basically what I am saying is you don't trade your 19 year olds because there is no guarantee they will return for an overage season. Saginaw is a very young team and this year's 19 year olds will become next year's overagers. Trade the ones you pretty much know won't be back and hold on to the ones that will help you next season. Unless, of course, somebody makes you an offer you can't refuse. Saginaw is in the driver's seat here because they don't have to trade anybody and that makes the price go higher.

[Frogger1]

Well said fox. You hit the target with Assy and his situation as well as next years OA's. Regarding the latter situation, I can easily imagine McDonough and/or Combs jumping at the chance to compete in the Mem Cup with Kitchener. Not only a dream come true but also having a good showing could make a pro contract happen. Who wouldn't want that?

[spiritfan8]

I'm not sure, bp, but I think we are mostly in agreement. I hope you don't think I was dissing Asselin--far from it. While hating to see him go, I never begrudged him his request for a trade, and I'm glad he got his wish. Playing on a line w/ JT is a nice little extra, also!
One more time--I think Combs and McDonough would be fantastic leading this team next year.I hope management does everything possible to bring them back. I would not think that trading them this season just because they will be 20 next year is a smart move. BUT--there are so many variables when it comes to OAs, and you mentioned a couple more in your last post. What looks like a sure thing to us now may not by next fall.
As I said--I think we agree on this one. I think. And it's only taken 5 or 6 posts for me to figure it out, so I'm getting better at it..........

[darrenpangfan]

Here is a link to an interesting story in the Kitchener paper about the Rangers trying to acquire Ryan McDonough. I thought it was interesting how much they value McDonough but weren't really interested in Jack Combs.

news.therecord.com/Sports/article/285726

[donjohnson]

darrenpangfan said:

Here is a link to an interesting story in the Kitchener paper about the Rangers trying to acquire Ryan McDonough. I thought it was interesting how much they value McDonough but weren't really interested in Jack Combs.

news.therecord.com/Sports/article/285726

boy, you sure don't see an article like that from the Shark...guess we're not providing enough info on here ;D