Time is Ticking

With less than a week to go until the NHL trade deadline there hasn't been much action but speculation nonetheless runs rampant in today's media driven world. The talking heads need something to discuss so they while away the hours trying to poke and prod at every corner, leaving no stone unturned trying to break the news that, so far, isn't coming. With the amount of teams still left in contention for the playoffs it's no wonder so many are reluctant to pull the trigger and officially declare their season over. The new NHL has brought about parody and a hard salary cap. As a result trades are perhaps more difficult to pull off than at any other time in the history of the league. And as for the big names, the old adage is whoever gets the best player wins the trade, so how do you win a trade for the likes of Rick Nash? There are other teams like the Ottawa Senators who have done unexpectedly well this season and according to GM Brian Murray are unwilling to sell the future for short term gain, and with many promising young players, it's no surprise this is the path he's chosen. Other teams like Vancouver, and Philadelphia who are contenders are afraid to change up the teams chemistry because of the detrimental impact it may have at this late a juncture. There are those looking to the future like Edmonton and Columbus who need to either add or completely start over and build up a core of young talent. Fortunately for Oilers fans GM Steve Tambellini has an impressive core of young talent and some chips to trade away to help add perhaps a much needed defenceman. The same cannot be said for GM Scott Howison in Columbus, who has a lot of work ahead of him, assuming he keeps his job. There will no doubt be more pressure at the deadline as the next few games will go a long way to determining who's in it and those who have to face the hard reality of a long summer ahead. Whatever the case let's hope it's worthwhile.