All’s quiet on the western front.
As of 6 p.m. today the Everett Silvertips had not made any new trades. Indeed, with just one day remaining until tomorrow’s 2 p.m. WHL trade deadline, there were no deals announced anywhere in the league today. It’s been a slow run up to the deadline so far.
What Everett’s going to do is unclear. I think it’s safe to say that the Tips, if they’re going to make any moves, are going to be buyers. Everett has won five straight, moving into fourth place in the Western Conference. However, that five-game winning streak may be enough to give general manager Doug Soetaert pause. The Tips have played well during the streak, the new greybeards line is working out and the defense seems to have sorted itself out. One could make the argument Everett, with Zack Dailey now contributing offensively, doesn’t need to make a move.
However, one also has to take a good look at this winning streak. The first two victories, at home against Tri-City and at Portland, are quality. However, the last three have been against an imploding Kamloops, a severely depleted Kelowna and a last-place Seattle. Yes, they were all on the road, but those aren’t the teams anyone’s going to need to beat to win the conference title.
If there’s one thing Everett may be able to use it’s another forward who can pop in a few goals. One more goal scorer — and it doesn’t have to be a player of Jordan Eberle’s caliber — may be all that’s required to give the Tips three lines opponents have to worry about. So if Everett does make a move, I would guess it would be in that direction.
—- UPDATE, 6:40 p.m.
No, list goaltender Luke Siemens has not been traded. However, the 17-year-old Tips prospect is getting some WHL action tonight. He’s serving as the emergency starter for Prince George against Seattle because the Cougars have major injury issues at the position. He remains Everett property.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
