The NHL is often cyclical. We go through similar periods every few years where teams need a top 6 forward or a top 4 defender or a goalie....and this year the stars have collided and we are seeing teams out there looking for a depth Center and/or a top 4 D.
The interesting thing about this year's search is how wide-spread it is and more so how early in the season we are seeing this...
Teams like Toronto, NJ, Washington, Detroit, Buffalo, and Seattle are all looking for another center. to put into the current lineup...
Meanwhile: Utah, NY Islanders, Carolina. and Seattle are all trying to land a top 4 D....
Here's a red-hot name to watch...Philly's Rasmus Ristolainen. Assistant coach Brad Shaw has done wonders for his game over the last couple years. He no longer runs around out of position but is still plenty physical. He played perhaps the best game of the Phiily portion of his career the other day against Minnesota. There is a LOT of interest in the 30-year-old right now.
The issue is with 32 teams there truly aren't any teams right now looking to make this kind of move....and the teams who are holding the keys, like Columbus and Anaheim, are putting a seriously premium on players like Provorov....
That being known, there are some sources telling me they really believe the price might actually get met because several teams with playoff hopes are afraid of falling too far out...
How much would you pay for a Provorov level player?
We have a winner!
The KC Scouts jersey winner has been emailed. So check your PayPal emails. As soon as he/she gets back to me with a username, and if they want it public, I will post it here. The good news is, if you entered ANY PAST WEEK by buying or renewing your season ticket your name will automatically be entered each of the next 1sts 6 weeks. The people who enter the current week will get two entries each.