Will Selling Teams Ask For High Prices for their Players?
Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period joined Sirius XM NHL Network Radio on Monday with Gord Stellick and Scott Laughlin and was asked about how tight the standings are. Does this mean the “selling teams” could ask for more than the market value?
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Gord Stellick: “And we saw, I mean, the bold trade Quinn Hughes and that. And boy, with all these teams competing, and what a difference maker. Let’s face it, Quinn Hughes is going to be for Minnesota.
I know Calgary, for example, says they’re still fighting for a playoff spot, but they don’t want to trade certain players. But, man, I just wonder if that just might heat up. Because, regardless of how close you are to the playoffs, you may be able to get better returns than you have historically because of how tight things are Dave.”
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Dave Pagnotta: “Yeah, and taking advantage of that is going to be key for, I think, some teams, because of the fact that there are so many teams in it. If you can sell off pieces to your point, maximize your return, it’s almost better to go in that direction in terms of the overall picture.
And Calgary, certainly with Rasmus Andersson, I still believe that, there’s going to be a move at some point this season here, before the trade deadline, at least involving him. They’re below .500. I think St. Louis, even though they’ve gotten things going in this last five, six games to a certain extent, I think they’re still of the mindset that they’re willing to listen on a variety of their guys.
I think Nashville, another team, six of their last 10. But I think some of these teams, Seattle, included, with the number of their pending UFAs, there is kind of an understanding where they’re at, and is it worth going to the playoffs and losing out in four or five games? Or do we think big picture here? And collect a bunch of really good assets and then focus on being even better next season?
And I think that’s where some of these teams are. I don’t think Calgary is there yet, but I think Seattle, St. Louis, even Nashville, with this little run they’re on here are going to, you know, kind of sit back and still willing to take those calls and listen to some of their players leading into it.
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And like I said, and as you mentioned, Gord, if there’s an opportunity to get a bit of a higher return, because some of these teams feel they can make it out there in the East, especially then, hey, why not? Let’s take those price tags and bump them up a little bit.”
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