Torres trade talks

[dasnut]

Just was reading Eric Smith's blog on hockeybuzz....


Trade Scenerio With Penguins Heating Up

There is little doubt that the Penguins have a serious interest in acquiring Raffi Torres for the playoff run. Last Thurday both General Manager Ray Shero and Director of Player Personnel Dan MacKinnon for the Penguins was at Nationwide Arena when the Blue Jackets took on the Dallas Stars. A source told me late last night that things are heating up but there is some pieces that need to move before a trade can happen.

This is what I got so far. The Penguins are trying to move Ruslan Fedotenko to free up cap space. If they can't move him, then the Penguins will have to wait till closer to the trade deadline to make the move.

What the trade scenario that has unfolded according to my source from Pittsburgh is that the Pens would get Raffi Torres and the Blue Jackets would get a conditional pick and center Dustin Jeffrey.

I will let you know more if I hear anything.

Obviously these are nothing but rumors, but if we were to get Dustin Jeffrey, it sounds as if he would be another depth move for the center position and not necessarily an immediate impact player.  Anyone know anything about him?

[puckhogg]

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=80229

[CORUPTWJ]

When Hitch was the coach, I would have agreed that Torres would be on the trading block.  But now I am not so sure.  He is back up on the 2nd line and it has been buzzing.  I say sign him before the trade deadline, he is a very useful player to us.

[CanadianJacketsFan]

I just picked Torres up on fantasy, I don't really want to trade him unless we can get a) a good player or b) good draft picks (not 4th or 5th round)

Torres is a key guy on our team right now so those who believe we can still make it into the post-season probably want him to stay on board.

[puckhogg]

he might be playing the second line to be showcased.....

[Buzz]

IMO Raffi is gone.  Sucks b/c i really like him as a player but I understand the trade if it happens.

[perfectstranger]

Unless we get something usable in return, I say keep him for the duration of the season.  I'd like to see the CBJ make a freakin' attempt to re-sign him.  Is there any talk of this??  No need to overpay him.  Love the guy, love his play. 

[CHUNKBOX]

yea agreed i think hes good as gone too... i like him as well and he will be missed for sure...

my fave part of his game is easy... he knows where the net is... and he GOES THERE ! i wish more of our guys would do that and quit skating by it or around it...

[Crede777]

The reason why I would like to see Torres stay is that he and Jake have enough chemistry to appear on one of those eharmony commercials.  Their cross ice passes in the other team's zone are great and they really feed off of each other.

However, definitely DON'T re-sign him before the trade deadline.  Let him dangle and see what teams throw up for him.  I'd say my eyes are on Goligoski from Pitt.  He's a young offensive defenseman who would be an upgrade over Stralman.  He's also pretty physical and isn't a huge liability in his own zone.  I say him also because he's a moveable part for Pitt.  Sure his value is high, but Pitt has Letang filling that spot and they wouldn't need him for their cup run this year.

Problem with looking for something great coming back in a Torres trade is that he'd be traded to a team who is looking to win the cup this year.  That means the team won't want to trade away any great players who may help them win the cup.

I say trade him for a nice prospect or draft pick and then use his $3.5 mill to go towards a $6-$7 million center or defenseman.  That'd be best for the team in the long term.  It'd also open up the 2nd line LW position to be potentially filled by Huselius, or *gasp* Filatov.

[Ampersand Man]

Dustin Jeffrey was an AHL All-Star this year.

Goligoski is high-risk, high reward.  He leaves his defense partner out to dry a lot, but has improved lately.

[puckhogg]

the jeffrey deal makes more sense for the jackets...depth at center is a major weakness

[Chaosbourne]

Golioski isn't going to happen. I've heard they are more willing to get rid of Letang, whose play has also been somewhat sketchy this season.

[alxzanki]

Really I wouldnt mind if we get are hands on a defensman that would never see the light of day in Pittsburgh,how about Lovejoy.

[CHUNKBOX]

id rather have orpick

[burnsz82]

the jeffrey deal makes more sense for the jackets...depth at center is a major weakness

Read up on him a bit, the 21 year old seems to be a gifted 2-way player, versatile, and good hockey sense.  Is averaging a point per game in at Wilkes-Barre this year and has been over that pace before he was drafted.  Also he's 6'1 205, a faceoff winner and a solid PK man. 

Very intriguing prospect...and could solve the depth issue at C