Trade Deadline Theme Week Submission of No Real Importance

[der meister 3,281]

NOTE: I wrote this Monday but didn't have a chance to post it until now, so some of the numbers are slightly off. Apologies.

 

Pretend that says 2025 and VHL instead of NHL

 

The trade deadline is always an interesting time of year. It's been clear for some time who are the pretenders and who are the contenders, but this time of year is when you see exactly who the most serious General Managers are. At least in theory. Honestly a lot of trade deadlines come and go with minimal movement, which I personally find disappointing, but I have a feeling this year is going to be an active one. At least, I hope so, because otherwise what's the point of this theme week?

 

For starters, the parity in the league right now, particularly in North America, is tremendous. A team wanting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack might go out and make a big splash. For a team like the Vancouver Wolves, that might mean adding another scoring forward to augment their already impressive offensive arsenal. As for teams that have parts remaining to sell, the pickings are pretty slim. One potential target could be D.C. Dragons' forward Kyle Toms, who is retiring at the end of the season. For a team looking to bolster 2nd line depth, Toms could be a decent option, and he has proven surprisingly productive this season with 50 points in 51 games.

 

One forward who could be on the trade block is Toronto Legion winger Konstyantyn Shevchenko. Acquired in the offseason as part of a blockbuster trade with the D.C. Dragons, Shevchenko has been anything but stellar since arriving in Toronto. On pace for less than half of what he scored last season and well under half the number of hits, he has been perhaps the biggest disappointment for the Legion this season. It's hard to say how much his value has dropped, as the trade is still recent enough that his lack of performance could simply be chalked up as a fluke due to poor chemistry with the rest of the team. But perhaps the Legion would be interested in a package of younger but less developed players that can help them not slip down the standings next season.

 

While we've heard no concrete evidence that Toronto is shopping the Ukrainian winger, it's easy to see why his name could be on the block. Half of the Legion's forwards, including both of their centers, are retiring this year, and beyond Shevchenko, only winger Dorji Khan, who also has 31 points this year, could still be considered young. In the prospect ranks, the Legion sport Inker Belle, a right winger playing for Halifax in the VHLM this season, who looks ready to move up. With 66 points in 46 games, Inker Belle is a playmaker with strong defensive skills, and she could be a candidate for Rookie of the Year next season. But even with such a high profile addition, there's a serious concern in the middle of the ice.

 

For Toronto, currently 4th in the North American standings, the other option is to double-down on their push for a championship this year, before they lose so many key players to mandatory retirement. As an aside, I wish the United State Congress had a mandatory retirement age. 

 

Does it make sense for Toronto to enter a rebuild, perhaps by trading the underperforming Shevchenko and their center spine, in an attempt to reach a more sustainable, long-term success? Or does it make more sense for the Legion to add to their current roster, most likely in the form of a defensive upgrade? Perhaps Legion management chooses to simply stand pat and see if the team gets hot at the right time and proves to be a Cinderella story? Regardless of what ends up happening in Toronto, the speculation is always the most fun part of the Trade Deadline. 

[Gaikoku-hito 2,171]

9 minutes ago, der meister said:

Does it make sense for Toronto to enter a rebuild,

No, I think a re-tool would make more sense since they will have cap space to make a splash via UFA and during the off season via trades if they play their cards correctly!!

 

[der meister 3,281]

1 hour ago, Gaikoku-hito said:

No, I think a re-tool would make more sense since they will have cap space to make a splash via UFA and during the off season via trades if they play their cards correctly!!

 

 

I tend to agree, but it is an option. I do have high expectations for Shev at least partially filling the offensive gap next season, and some UFA splashes would go a long way.