3-2 Rangers Over Bruins: Wideman Shatters Olympic Dreams

Okay, I know it's been a while, but I think this topic warrants discussion and maybe it will get me back into the habit of posting again.

Dennis Wideman's slapshot caused a possible fracture of Bergeron's hand/wrist area. If this is the case, he'll be out for up to 6 weeks which will most likely keep him out of the Olympics. Not to mention we'll lose our best player so far this year for that same amount of time. I am so tired of Wideman's shenanigans! Bad passes, poor decisions with the puck, missing the net constantly from the blueline. This clown needs to be traded at the deadline.

Before I continue my rant, lets look at Wideman's current performance...

2009-2010

GP: 36
Goals: 2 (Both PP Goals)
Assists: 11
PIM: 16
+/- : -2
Cap Hit: $4,000,000
Cap Hit In 2011-12 (Contract Year): $4,500,000

Statistically speaking, he doesn't look THAT BAD. Though, Wideman was picked up to be a number 2 D man on the team which last year he definitely was, but this year he's anything but. But it's the not the numbers that concern me, the numbers actually further my argument, but it's the sloppy play that is killing me. Wideman should be paired with Ference or a younger guy like Boychuk. This would leave Chara available to play with Morris more often like it was earlier in the season. But now, Chara needs to be paired with Wideman to "clam down his play". This, to me, is insane. By calm down, they mean, make up for his sloppy play. Chara needs to be there to bail Wideman out when he screws something up, which does not give Chara time to be creative and jump up in the play (see the lack of Chara "sneaking" in the backdoor since he's been paired with Wideman).

Now Wideman's statistics do not show that he's doing terribly, he's just struggling. Which is a good thing if a trade was ever lined up. I feel like you could get a good top 6 D man for Wideman and either one of our extra second or first round picks in 2010. But who would we get?

My number one vote would be for Tomas Kaberle.

Tomas Kaberle - 2009-2010

GP: 42
Goals: 3
Assists: 32
PIM: 10
+/- : -7
Cap Hit: $4,250,000 (Contract Year)

Now we were looking for him during the Kessel fiasco as well, but this time, we would hold all the gun powder. With Toronto doing so poorly this year, those picks he gave away for Kessel must look pretty good and with a Cap Hit about the same from Wideman as Kaberle, it's a possibility. This is Kaberle's contract year as well so I'm sure the Leafs will be looking to move him before the deadline rather then leaving him to UFA. The only thing that really makes the trade unrealistic is Kaberle's current performance.

Another player I'd like to see is Sergei Gonchar.

Sergei Gonchar - 2009-2010

GP: 29
Goals: 5
Assists: 18
PIM: 14
+/- : -2
Cap Hit: $5,500,000 (Contract Year)

As this is his contract year, the Pens are looking to make a deal to keep Gonchar with the team, but they've said that if no deals can be made by the deadline, they'll most likely deal him. If we could trade Wideman and maybe a second round pick, I think this would be a good pick up. I liked Gonchar when he was with the B's several years ago and if he can stay healthy, he can put up big numbers.

But that'll wrap it up. B's play Ottowa tonight, good inter-division game. I'll try to get some simulations scores up here if I can get motivated to do it. For it to be accurate, I'd have to update all my rosters and that'll be a pain, so no promises.

Toronto Watch(1/5/10)
Last Game: Toronto 1 - Calgary 3
Toronto's League Rank: 27th (14-19-9)
Bruins 2010 1st Round Pick: 3rd (1st With Lottery Win)

Go B's!