Davidson talks trade deadline, Mueller
Published 12:18 pm Thursday, January 8, 2015
The WHL trade deadline arrives Saturday at 11 a.m. (PST). The league has already gotten a jump on the deadline, with 16 deals taking place since Monday.
Today I was able to get a hold of Everett general manager Garry Davidson, who’s with the team in Regina, to talk about the upcoming trade deadline. Here’s an overview of what Davidson had to say:
– The Tips have been actively seeking to add to their team, but have struggled to make anything happen as the prices have been more than Everett has been willing to pay. Davidson is still actively working the phones, but he didn’t sound overly optimistic about being able to get something done.
– The target position for Everett is forward. The Tips have just 13 forwards on the roster, with Logan Aasman being a possible long-term casualty. Therefore, Everett needs bodies up front. That said, the Tips aren’t just looking for someone to fill in, they’d like to find a top-six forward, and also perhaps someone with a little jam to his game.
– One of the possibilities some have been speculating about is the return of defenseman Mirco Mueller. Mueller has been playing with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, but he’s been a regular healthy scratch and was loaned to Switzerland for the World Junior Hockey Championships. He hasn’t played since returning from World Juniors. At 19, he can only play in the NHL or be returned to the WHL.
Bear in mind that I have seen no indications out of San Jose that Mueller might be sent back to Everett. But when I asked Davidson about the possibility he didn’t dismiss it out of hand. He said the team has no control or influence in the decision, but that the Tips would welcome Mueller back with open arms should he be reassigned. Davidson also noted there’s already been one 19-year-old NHLer recently reassigned to the WHL, the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, who is now playing for Kelowna.
As for the whole three-Euro issue, we’ll deal with that if it materializes. But Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province received confirmation from the league that the Tips could potentially play with three Euros should Mueller be sent back after the trade deadline.
– Lastly, ROOT Sports announced this season’s Friday night WHL broadcast schedule. Everett will be televised three times, those being:
Jan. 23, Everett at KelownaFeb. 20, Tri-City at Everett
Mar. 20, Everett at Victoria
