TRADE BAIT

What The Puck?!

Written by Chase Howard

1st Branch

Let's start with some good news for NHL trading, as it just got a little easier for the Canadian teams. The NHL announced a change to the Canadian quarantine procedures where NHL players will now only have to quarantine for seven days instead of 14, making trades much more reasonable for the Canadian teams.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the provinces with NHL teams -- British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec have "provided written commitment that they support the NHL's proposed risk mitigation measures. "Montreal at least seemingly liked this development; I would not be surprised to see the Jets and the Maple Leafs come to enjoy it as well.

Canadiens acquire Eric Staal from Sabres; Source: SportsNet

2nd Branch

We're officially in the high-stakes, high-pressure trading season. Need proof? Look no further than Montreal Canadiens GM Mark Bergeron, saying it is very unlikely the cap-strapped Canadiens will make a move and then within 24 hours trading a third and fifth-round pick in this year's draft for Buffalo Sabres center Eric Staal. Staal has ten points in 32 games so far this season and is a free agent at its conclusion. Good add for Montreal as a team that's needed offensive punch and centre depth.

For the Sabres, this is a solid movie but speaks more to moves to come. Buffalo seems likely to be having a fire sale, don't be surprised if you see a going out of business sign in the window. Staal is likely just the first to go as the Sabres have a couple more sought-after assets. In particular, they're supposed Marquee free-agent signing Taylor Hall is open to a trade, and everybody has to be wondering can Jack Eichel be had for the right price. Rasmus Ristolainen and Brandon Montour could also be attractive options for teams needing a defender.

3rd Branch

You know we have to talk about what was said on that hot mic, thankfully referee Tim Peel was fired after the incident during Wednesday night's game between the Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings. Peel was caught on his mic during the game saying, "It wasn't much, but I wanted to get a fuckin' penalty against Nashville early in the" Before being cut off by the broadcast (link?). Predators Forward Matt Duchene said, "The crazy part is, he was talking to Filip Forsberg in that clip, he told our bench that, so I mean (it was) really bizarre and I just think that can't happen." What the hell are you doing Mr. Peel? This guy's been around since 1993 and hasn't figured this out. You don't call makeup you don't call for reasons you call the damn game.

Think of the implications of this as I mentioned above, this guy's been a ref since 1993, that's over 1,300 NHL games. How many times has something like this happened before without notice, unlike in the recent Red Wings game what if the unnecessary penalty produces a power play that is scored; changes the whole game? Moreover, this is how you end up with a Tim Donaghy; people capitalizing on their positions through betting or otherwise. Let alone if the NHL in any way knows or approved this type of makeup call; that's essentially match-fixing. All I know is the league better have had zero clue about this because if so, the implications for gambling are massive, and with the ever-increasing legalization of sports betting, this is not an issue to be swept under the rug. The NHL needs to make sure this is an isolated incident, not to be repeated.

Quick hits

• Not that long ago, we talked about how the Sabres are well, just plain bad at hockey, unsure why that's a question for another day. The question for today is, how many games are the Sabres going to lose in a row? Oh my, look at that it's up to 16. Buffalo is 0-14-2 since Feb. 25, the longest stretch without a win since the NHL implemented the shootout, eliminating ties. The Winnipeg Jets hold the NHL record for most consecutive games without a win; they played 30 straight without a victory (0-23 with the seventies) from Oct. 19-Dec. 20, 1980.

• Speaking of teams struggling, the Philadelphia Flyers had a little trouble recently, mostly with a creature that goes by the title Mika Zibanejad. This menace decided that not in one game but in two consecutive games it would terrorize Philadelphia registering six points against the Flyers in both. Mika is the first player in NHL history to score six points in consecutive games against the same team, congrats on your place in the NHL record books, Mr. Zibanejad.

• Now that Staal has been traded, let's take a quick look at those that might want to have a bag packed, excluding most members of the Sabres.

  • Forwards: Patrick Laine, Nick Foligno (Blue Jackets), Sam Bennett (Flames), Dustin Brown (Kings), Patrick Marleau (Sharks), and Kyle Palmeri (Devils).

  • Defensemen: Shayne Gostisbehere (Flyers), Vince Dunn (Blues), Mattias Ekholm (Predators), Dimitry Kulikov (Devils), and Dennis Savard (Bluejackets).