There is a lot of uproar this time of the hockey year regarding the NHL trade deadline. I thought I’d put together a little explanation of what the deadline means to the NHL and for the Kings. This little article is not supposed to go in-depth but to help those who are new or just want to get a few things straight.
I’ve had a lot of questions from new fans and even fair weather fans that definitely warrant explanation. So let’s start with a few:
What does the trade deadline mean?
- The trade deadline is a date set by the NHL. After this date and time, no trades are allowed for the rest of the season.
What date is the trade deadline this year?
- The deadline for this season (2011-2012) is February 27, 2012 at 3 pm est.
Why trade players at this time and not through the season?
- There are trades that happen through the season, but most trades happen in the off season (in between seasons) and before the trade deadline.
- Teams in February that are in playoff position and want to make a hard run for the cup are called “buyers”. They want to “buy” or trade for a player that will help them through the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
- Teams in February that are not in a playoff position and want to make their team better for the next season are called “sellers”. They want to “sell” or trade for players that may help them in the next season.
I’ve heard of a No Trade Clause. What is that?
- A no-trade clause is a part in the player’s contract that states he cannot be traded. Only the best of the best get this clause in their contracts. This is not common. A player can waive his no-trade clause to get traded to another team. Sometimes a player can stipulate in his contract which teams he wants to be traded to.
What does this mean for the Los Angeles Kings? Well, we are definitely a “buyer” team. We are in position to make the playoffs and we are missing a few pieces. One, we really need more scoring. So this trade deadline, our GM, Dean Lombardi, will be looking around for scoring. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT A TRADE WILL HAPPEN. It just means that if DL knows what is good for him and wants to keep his job, he will be fighting hard to find us a scorer before 2-27-12.
But…but…but…what do we have to give up in the trade you ask? This is the hard part. Our boys! Our team! Our Kings! Who goes? Well, if you want something good you have to give to get. The better the player you acquire, the more you have to give up. If we do end up getting scoring help before the trade deadline, look to see Bernier, JJ, Voynov, Lotki, Stoll, Penner (probably not) in some form go to another team.
This is where the fun is. Following the teams, finding out who is on the market. Who is selling, who is buying? What players are available? Will they waive their no-trade clause?
No wonder we will all be glued to our computers these final two weeks!
hockeyjockey
February 15, 2012
Good explaination Tracy!
this is also the time of year we wear our good luck charms.. do our good luck dances to
try and help the players we Love not to get traded
I am VERY stingey.. I think if I was the GM I would be fired!
Just as I would be a terrible horse owner.. would fall in love with my horse.. be fearful of
he or she getting hurt or claimed and the horse would never be put into a race!
now that I have prob confused you all.. back to my chores..
GO KINGS GO!!!
tracykingslover
February 15, 2012
Its so hard to think of losing some of our players. Bernier not so much like you said before, because he deserves to play more and he isn’t going to get that here with Quick as the #1. But JJ? Oh! I’d be so sad! I really do not think he will go.
I could never be a GM either, but hey, thats what we pay them the big bucks for. To do the things we couldn’t!
meaganj
February 19, 2012
In my opinion, Bernier has got to stay until we at least re-sign Quick, which I don’t think we can even try to do until summer. Then if Quick wants to leave for more money (or more winning) (although, I agree with you, someone give Quick a raise and fast, the guy deserves it) we still have Bernier as a bargaining tool or as a goalie if we can’t re-sign Quick. Otherwise if Quick goes somewhere else when his contract is up and we have traded Bernier in an attempt to get some offense pre-trade deadline, we’re back to pulling up AHL goalies or trying to trade for another one when we had two brilliant ones to start with. Although the Kings-lover-trying-to-be-to-optomistic-still part of me wants to say, “Quick would never leave us!” Last night again he only gives up one goal and can’t get a win….I mean, the guy has gotta be frustrated. I echo what has been said here before, the trade deadline desperation makes me nervous for the future. But I think something’s going to happen to get some goals going…
tracykingslover
February 19, 2012
“Otherwise if Quick goes somewhere else when his contract is up and we have traded Bernier in an attempt to get some offense pre-trade deadline, we’re back to pulling up AHL goalies or trying to trade for another one when we had two brilliant ones to start with”
That’s true, but I think DL would use him as a trading tool and in the trade bring over a backup goalie. Like with Nash, it would have to be something like Bernier, JJ, and a 1st to get Nash plus Sandford. I just think he would have to. We would also maybe have to sweeten the pot with Lotki.
Too much for us to give to get? Maybe. I’m ok with Bernier and prospects for Carter. I mean really, how much has that back up goalie done for us this season? Even if we had Zatkoff or Jones, the amount the Kings play the backup goalie it probably would end up being ok.
I dont’ know anything right now. I’m confused on my guys. i want them to do so well but at the same time I’m pissed at them and ready to make some trades. Either way, if we are not in the playoffs, its bye bye to DL and I’ll be ok with that.
meaganj
February 20, 2012
I hear you on the Sandford thing; I can see something like that, where a trade happens to get us a more traditional back-up goalie than Bernier, since he has more skill/promise than your classic back-up goaltender. We’ve been really lucky so far in not needing to rely on a back-up goal tender for a stretch of time. That would also still give us the Jones/Zatkoff option if necessary, and lucky us, they are both really good.
I am pissed too and frustrated; this was supposed to be our pretty good payoff year for that five-year rebuild we’ve cheered through. And am ready to give to get. I would hate to trade away Lokti, because I think he’s got so much future promise….but, I think you’re right, we’re going to have to sweeten the deal somehow.
tracykingslover
February 20, 2012
the latest is the Kings are in for Nash 1st and Carter 2nd if they can’t get Nash. I bet nothing happens, lol, we Kings fans are used to that!
We’ll be ok. Just maybe not this season.
PS – I really really do NOT want to get rid of Lokti or Voynov. We finally have some young kids doind well – I want them to stay!
The Recipe Seeker
February 15, 2012
Thank you, thank you for that great explanation. I have had lots of questions but didn’t know quite know how to ask. I bet there are a lot of other women like me who just want to know about the “inside” workings of the team. If we don’t have postings like this one from now till the 27th, where do I go to find out what the teams are doing in preparation for the trades? There are some of those boys I can’t bear to think of losing. Now I’m depressed and sad. WAH!
tracykingslover
February 15, 2012
sorry, I had to laugh when you WAH’d.
I know what you mean.
As for places to go, well, there are just about a million!. Anything directly related with the Kings will me on LA Kings Insider – http://lakingsinsider.com/ He will report only after anything is done so no rumors.
Over on LetsgoKings.com in Home Ice – http://letsgokings.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4, you can find all Kings fans talking about the latest. Warning – wear you tough skin there, things can get rough but so much fun!
Then there is tsn’s tradecenter at – http://www.tsn.ca/tradecentre/. This is Canada’s site so they are pretty much 24/7 coverage of all trades. BUT they are east coast and Canada biased so you may not find much on the Kings but great for other teams.
One more – try HF boards – trade talk at http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3. I love this site too but its HUGE! This is posting about hockey for every team including minors and Europe and people from all over the world. But you can peek in the trade forum to see what is going on with all the teams.
Fasten your seat belts, its going to be a bumpy (and fun) ride!
wavesinair
February 16, 2012
Hi Tracy. I’d love it if you participated in our blog prediction panel. I’m adding more people for the final 25 games. You’d be starting out at the bottom, BUT there’s plenty of time left to make it into the Top 10, which qualifies for the playoffs. If you’re interested, give me a buzz!
tracykingslover
February 16, 2012
Thanks Waves! I’ve read your predictions and it looks like a lot of fun. I’m a bit too far behind, so probably not going to be able to join this season – BUT keep me on your list for the next one. Thanks!