Catching Up (aka "Why the Ryan Smyth Trade isn't the End of the World")

Sorry its been a while. Just got back, I’d been on vacation in Vancouver since Friday. (more on that, later)

Anyway, let’s catch up on the major news:

Signing of Craig Anderson

He was the best option UFA available for Colorado. He played well in Florida while Vokoun was out and deserves a chance to start in the NHL. In the end, he may only end up being a two year stop gap, but we should have a much better chance of getting NHL quality goaltending in goal every night next season.

Ryan Smyth trade

Avs fans seem to be pretty down on this deal. Most of the analysis is something like “Great. Two guys I’ve never heard of and a 5th round pick for our best player last season?! *sarcastic clapping* Nice work Sherman! Hell of a deal! *sarcastic clapping*"

The general hockey population opinions however, are a little more varied.

Some don’t like it:

Hockey Blog in Canada

Smyth has a big price tag, but the Kings have a ton of cap space, and gave up almost nothing with the emergence of their young blueliners. I'm still shaking my head over this trade. Colorado trades their leading scorer for a decent young defenceman, a pylon, and a garbage draft pick. They couldn't pry a third-rounder out of Lombardi? Why did they make this trade?

Others think the Kings gave up too much.

Spector’s Hockey

Smyth is a heart-and-soul player and a terrific leader but he'll be turning 34 in February and his best seasons are behind him, and the Kings gave up too much to land him by including Quincey in the deal. The Kings were in the market for a veteran star forward but after missing out in bidding for top UFA forwards Smyth appears to be "Plan B".

Sherman did far better on this deal than most Avs bloggers are giving him credit for. He moved the 2nd largest contract on the team, belonging to a declining 33 year old, at a time when NHL owners and GMs are terrified to take on these deals. (Which is why he had to take on Tom Preissing’s toxic contract.) And he pried away a cheap emerging young defenseman in Quincey doing it.

Folks, the Avs are going young, are gathering young talent and are going to see who emerges from the pack. Ryan Smyth isn’t part of this plan. Yes, Ryan Smyth would help this team be a little more respectable next season, but he has already proven he can't singlehandedly win games for the Avs. And long term, his contract would only be a burden while his skill would continue to diminish. It’s also a good move for Ryan (who had a NTC and OKed the deal). Ryan will help get the Kings to seriously compete for a playoff spot next season.

The real success of this deal is all about Kyle Quincey. One of those famous “puck moving defensemen” we always hear about, this 23 year old, playing in his first full NHL season, really came on for the Kings last year. He especially shined on the PP, where he scored 27 of his 34 points. Wow, a defenseman who can actually play the point effectively on the PP -- its been a while Avs fans. (In comparison, Liles scored 21 of his 39 points on the PP last year, his 5th in the NHL.)

Injuries could be a bit of a concern, his season ended early due to back surgery. He is expected to be ready to go come training camp. Let's hope he can stay healthy and this deal doesn’t end up being eerily similar to the Tanguay / Leopold trade.

As for Preissing, I’m not expecting much. According to Kings Head Coach Terry Murray, his “compete level” was lacking too often. Ouch.

This trade has also led to a lot of speculation that more Avs defensemen will get moved. I’m not so sure. I think that Sherman would love to move Clark’s, Salei’s, Hannan’s or even Preissing’s deals, but I don’t think any NHL GMs will take them on, at least not until mid season and more likely the 2010 trade deadline. Assuming I’m correct, Preissing will battle Clark / Salei and hopefully some younger talent like Peltier / Cumiskey / Wilson for playing time.

PS - Good luck to Lappy in Philly and Tyler Arnason in Hartford.