Bears And Bulls

So the trade dead line is just 19 days away, I guess I'll do a break down on a few teams a day I suppose.


East-

Boston-Sitting on top of the East with a healthy 12 point lead the Bruins are obviously trying to make the long run for the Cup. Marc Savard and Phil Kessel are having strong years at centre, as well as 2nd year player David Krejci. A note of concern comes from the winger position, where Michael Ryder is sidelined for a few weeks with a fractured bone similar to Vaneks injury, and centre Patrice Bergeron whom suffered a concussion in late December which may come back to haunt him. They have a solid defence led by the giant Zedeno Chara, and former Buffalo draftee Dennis Wideman. Andrew Ferance is coming back off a leg injury that's kept him out of the line up for two months. They may try and look for a veteran who can offer the team some decent grit and experence, Keith Tkachuk who seems to be on the block every year might be a solid choice for a deep run come April.

New Jersey-Honestly I'm terrified of this team, this is a Devils team sitting in 2nd in the East with out the legendary Marty Brodeur, Scotty Clemmensen has stepped up as a notable goaltender and the usual defencive powerhouse Devils have found offencive gems in North Dakota products Travis Zajac and Zach Parise. They have a solid line up of veterans consisting of Elias,Langenbrunner,Gionta,Zubrus,Rolston,Holik and Pandolfo. It seems they already have found their rental player in Brendan Shanahan and are getting solid defence from David Oduya and Bryce Salvador. I really don't see the Devils making any major moves come deadline, maybe another D to help out in the run?

Washington-Sitting at 3rd, Ovie has his Caps looking for a decent run, that 2004 draft is really shining in the light over in Washington, with other first round pick Mike Green lighting the lamp nightly on the blue line, another excellent season for Semin, and its looking like youngster Nicklas Backstrom is getting comfortable in the NHL. They have good veteran leaders such a Kozlov,Nylander and Fedorov. Problems with this team is Mike Green is the only notable defenceman, well there's Tom Poti... and Jose Theodore is still their starting goaltender. Wouldn't Bouwmeester make a nice fit playing with Green and Ovie, or even Chris Pronger.

Philadelphia-Boy how has this team gone down the drain, Jeff Carter somehow with his wonderful skating style is among the league leaders in goals, Briere has played in a whopping 9 games this year, and there is a goaltender controversy starting between Biron and Niittymaki, both whom are free agents this coming summer so I wouldn't doubt one of them finding a new home. Also on the block is Lupul and according to TSN so is Scottie Upshall. I really wouldn't be surprised if the Flyers miss the playoffs all together.