First a quick thought about the weekend. It was actually quite the informative three games for Everett. If someone had asked me to predict what would happen beforehand I would have said I expect the Tips to come away with four points, which is exactly what they got. However, I wouldn’t have expected it to come about the way it did, losing at home to a reeling Chilliwack team and winning away against a tough Tri-City team. But given that Everett still outplayed the Bruins, and top it off with the tough comeback win against the Americans, and I’d say the Tips just might be headed in the right direction. Now I’ve thought that before this season and been fooled, so I’m not banking on it. But with the lines having success the way they’re configured now, and with Shayne Barrie providing solid backup goaltending, I imagine the Tips are feeling pretty optimistic about the remainder of the season.
But enough with that, on to the trade circus. The trade deadline is Thursday, but many teams decided to get started early this season. For those of you who aren’t keeping score at home, here’s a quick summary of the major players so far:
– Moose Jaw landed what’s expected to be the league’s biggest fish, picking up defenseman Ty Wishart from Prince George along with forward Evan Fuller.
– Regina made several moves in an effort to get tougher, adding defensemen Ryan Bender and Victor Bartley from Kamloops, and forwards J.D. Watt and Scott Doucet and defenseman Dallas Jackson from Red Deer.
– Calgary added another scorer, acquiring forward Brock Nixon from Kamloops.
– Meanwhile, Kamloops, Prince George and Red Deer have all signaled themselves as sellers.
One interesting note from the early trades is that most have seen the impact players moving from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference. If this continues it’ll tilt the balance of power east. Calgary and Moose Jaw helped themselves for this season as they gave up primarily prospects and draft picks, but Regina was forced to surrender some contributors, so I don’t know how much the Pats improved themselves.
I think it’s interesting to see Kamloops selling off its assets. Of all the teams in the league I’d say Kamloops’ season has been most similar to Everett’s — good talent, expected to contend, inconsistent play and a record around .500. Could that be a model for Everett’s upcoming actions? Of course, the Kamloops comparison is only valid to a point as Everett hasn’t had an ownership change, a fired coach/general manager and general turmoil throughout the organization.
Personally, I just can’t see the Tips being sellers. This team has too many talented players and has shown too many flashes to just give up now. And knowing general manager Doug Soetaert, he’s not the type to accept losing. I also think the Tips feel pretty good about their 91s and 92s, so I think they feel comfortable with the foundation for building after this season.
I won’t be surprised if the Tips made a move here at the deadline, but I will be surprised if it’s for the future at the expense of the present.
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UPDATE 8:30 p.m.
Spokane has fired the first shot among the U.S. Division teams, picking up center Justin McCrae from Saskatoon. McCrae is a good addition for the Chiefs. I know he hasn’t put up the kind of offensive numbers the last couple years his promising rookie season suggested. But if Chris Bruton was able to become a point-a-game player for Spokane, I suspect McCrae will put up some good numbers, too.
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