Big changes in T.O.

Earlier today Ducks' GM Bob Murray made his choice about who would be the future guardian of the Anaheim net. Jonas Hiller's contract with the Ducks was extended with a 4-year/$18m deal. This along with the rumblings all around Toronto of major changes to the Leafs organisation to occur today, giant leaps are being made to conclusions. According to Darren Dreger's Tweets, "could be a very interesting today. the Hiller extension may play a role in todays Leafs shake-up."

One of the major flaws in Anaheim payroll is the $6m/year investment in Jean-Sebastien Giguere, a man who has now become the backup netminder for Jonas Hiller. Certainly an undesirable situation for all involved. The 2007 Stanley Cup Champion and 2003 Conn Smythe winner has previously expressed his dissatisfaction with his gradual demotion in SoCal. While his cap hit is unwanted in Anaheim, there are several GM's that would be happy to acquire the moderately priced services of Giguere. One in particular, being Leafs' GM Brian Burke.

Assigned with the unenviable task of steering the monolithic cruise-liner that is the Toronto Maple Leafs back on a course to success, a major step toward that would be changes in goal. The talent of Vesa Toskala in undeniable but the pressure of performing at the Air Canada Centre has proven too much for the once promising puck-stopper. Meanwhile, rookie Jonas Gustavsson has shown flashes of brilliance but is clearly not ready for the starting job in his first NHL season, assisted by a defense that is grossly underperforming. A hungry veteran Champion like Giguere could be the catalyst that settles the nerves of a group of players that, at times resembles the hockey equivalent of beaten step-child.

Likewise, in Anaheim the deal makes sense for a team that hasn't missed the playoffs since the lockout. Moving JS Giguere liberates the cap space the Ducks may need to continue that streak. Thusfar this season they've been underwhelming and are currently sit outside of a very tight, jam-packed playoff race loaded with teams that are tough to beat. Just ask the Wings -- moving up in the Western Conference is not easy and help will certainly be required if the streak of playoff hockey in the O.C. is to continue. One would suspect Bob Murray is eyeing off a deal for an offensive-minded defenseman to compliment his talented group of forwards. One thing however, is for sure; a void was left when Chris Pronger left and it needs to be filled.

The Kovalchuk Factor

It's no secret that it's highly unlikely Thrashers' star forward Ilya Kovalchuk, won't be dealt some time between now and March 3, in a trade that will surely be the blockbuster deal of the season. The services of the 2001 #1 overall draft pick will be highly sought-after and with good cause. At this point in the season he has managed 31 goals and 57 points with the 6th best pts/gm average in the league. When you consider the quality of the linemates the 5 men ahead of him (Ovechkin, Daniel & Henrik Sedin, Crosby and Thornton) have compared to Ilya Kovalchuk's, it's pretty clear this is a player every team in need of scoring touch would like to have. He's just one of those unique forwards that makes his linemates better.

Speculation from one of my favourite hockey reporters, Bob McKenzie suggests Calgary and Chicago are two teams likely to pursue a deal for the talented winger. The benefits the Flames might see from Kovie's services are obvious.

Expectations were high in Southern Alberta prior to the commencement of their 2009/10 campaign, and as we near the Olympic break it's safe to say those expectations have not been met. Shockingly, Calgary sits outside the playoffs (albeit by a single point) in 9th in the highly competitive Western conference. GM Darryl Sutter may be feeling deja vu because the apparent panacea for Calgary's ailment is once against scoring. Last year Sutter hoped Olli Jokinen would be the answer but the impact of the tricky ex-Coyote was fairly underwhelming.

If somehow, 12 months later the Flames GM was able to synergise with Don Waddell and get Kovalchuk in a Flames' uniform, the same disappointment would not be seen. Calgary could potentially ice one of the most dangerous lines in hockey. Daymong Langkow and Olli Jokinen might get light-headed at the thought of centering Iginla and Kovalchuk, as would any centre in the NHL. But of course, the negative affects of such a monumental trade need to be equally assessed.

Don Waddell is certainly not going to give away his franchise player for nothing. One would expect the Thrashers' GM to be in search of at least one key player along with a mixture of high draft-picks and prospects. The speculation about Dion Phaneuf's possible movement before the deadline certainly makes sense and in this scenario it makes sense for both parties.

The Chicago Blackhawks on the other hand are not in need of scoring. Boasting arguably the youngest and deepest core of forwards in the league with the likes of Toews, Kane, Hossa, Versteeg and Sharp to compliment the [statistically] stingiest defense touring the continent, this trade doesn't make as much sense to me.

While there's no doubt the addition of Kovalchuk would certainly make them an even scarier opponent to deal with, it seems an unnecessary risk for Stan Bowman to take. We've all heard the saying 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it', and with this in mind any sort of major deal does seem somewhat risky. Joel Quenneville's team has displayed that they are the most balanced and consistent team thusfar in the season. While they can't claim to have the "score-at-will" ability of the Washington Capitals or San Jose Sharks, a consistent, discipled defense is perhaps the most valuable virtue a hockey team could hope to possess come playoff time.

Further to the risk of altering an obviously strong team chemistry, does it seem necessary to trade away young talent and/or draft picks for this risk? It should also be mentioned, that Bowman will need to off-load salary for Kovy's $6.4m annual cap hit and I'm guessing the Thrashers aren't interested in Brian Campbell.

Trades like this are best suited for teams that are 'on the bubble' so to speak, and require that added injection to get them from competitive to contending. Some of those teams could include Vancouver, Philadelphia, Colorado and the aforementioned Calgary. In my estimation, Chicago will not and should not be in that mix.