Available again. (Photo: USATSI)

Available again. (Photo: USATSI)

This is a unique season for the NHL. The last time there was a roster freeze for the Olympics, the unofficial trade deadline was the day before the freeze. This year, the same thing appears to be happening, as teams are beginning to make trades. The difference between four years ago and today is that unlike four years ago, this is a “salary cap correction” season.

For those unfamiliar with cap space, it is accrued over time. It is why Capgeek has a “deadline space” section for each team. As each day passes, the team accrues more cap space. Without getting into the intricate details, teams have the most cap space to work with at the actual trade deadline. That’s important because this year is one where teams desperately need cap space due to the lockout.

Due to this, we are likely going to see action at both deadlines. But which teams are sellers? The Bettman Bonus Point has blurred the lines between pretenders and contenders.

Sellers

Your sellers are your bottom feeders, the ones we know won’t be making the playoffs this year.  These are teams that will likely be looking to deal their UFAs for picks and prospects. I made the cut off here 50 points or less.

Buffalo Sabres – Matt Moulson, Steve Ott, Cody McCormick, Zenon Konopka, John Scott, Linus Omark, Matt D’Agostini, Henrik Tallinder, Alex Sulzer, Ryan Miller

Florida Panthers – Marcel Goc, Brad Boyes, Scott Gomez, Krys Barch, Jesse Winchester, Mike Weaver, Tom Gilbert, Mike Mottau, Tim Thomas, Scott Clemmensen

New York Islanders – Thomas Vanek, Peter Regin, Eric Boulton, Radek Martinek, Andrew MacDonald, Evgeni Nabokov

Calgary Flames – Mike Cammalleri, Lee Stempniak, Kevin Westgarth, Ben Street, Chris Butler, Kris Russell, Reto Berra

Edmonton Oilers – Ales Hemsky, Ryan Smyth, Ryan Jones, Nick Schultz, Mark Fraser, Anton Belov, Corey Potter, Ilya Bryzgalov, Ben Scrivens

Likely Sellers

These are teams that are more than five points out (assuming each team wins their games in hand) with multiple teams to leap-frog in the standings. It’s not that they don’t have a shot, it’s just unlikely they overtake multiple teams in the standings.

Winnipeg – Olli Jokinen, Devin Setoguchi, Chris Thorburn, Mark Stuart, Adam Pardy, Al Montoya

Nashville – David Legwand, Devan Dubnyk, Carter Hutton

Yea, that’s it for bona-fide sellers at the Olympic deadline. Pickings are pretty slim right? There’s three, maybe four that might be worth it for the Rangers. Problem is, those are the only players really worth it to the other 22 buyers at the moment.

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