Putting aside devastating news on the corporate front in regards to Nokia, the Nokians will need to reach deep to keep the corporate distractions from affecting their play and even management decisions. Rumours are rampant regarding a sale or move of the team by Owner/CEO/President/GM Anthony Ng, last seen, probably on a plane, while coddling his Nokia N8 (perhaps the last great Nokia that is not likely to get the wonderful updates due to it) and lamenting what could've been for Symbian and eventually Meego.
Focusing back on hockey, the Nokians find themselves in the middle of the pack, seven points up from the last playoff spot and eight points back of the league leader (albeit just two points from second place). A few weeks ago, Nokians were able to land goalie Jonas Hiller who accidently on purpose found himself on waivers.
With Hiller's arrival, Lundqvist seems to have improved his play lately. That could change anytime after Hiller was shelled this week for five goals against the Storm this past week. Otherwise the team seems to be relatively mild and pretty much going on cruise control which leads to the question, are there any moves to be made?
The only real signifcant moves Nokians have made recently was the waiver acquisition of Jonas Hiller and forced acceptance of the offer sheet by the Tigers on Matt D'Agostini.
In depth analysis of the team shows a total log jam at right wing, two legit number one netminders and too much salary bringing them very close the cap ceiling. Moves can definitely be made before the trade deadline to re-organize the positions however the team must not lose sight of what's coming next year.
John Tavares, will most certainly make the team next year, competing for number two center role with Brandon Dubinsky who's also having a decent season in parallel dimension league, the NHL. This could instead open up opportunities for trade as Dubinsky is in his last year of a 1.85million dollar contract and is due for a raise. Some decisions will be needed either by the trade deadline or during the offseason.
The winger log jam likely includes Milan Michalek, Nathan Horton, Jason Pominville, Ryan Callahan and Mikael Samuelsson. There are too many on RW especially so moves need to be made to provide better balance throughout the line up.
On a prospects point of view besides John Tavares, Nokians are eager to see the fruit of solid contributions from Jack Johnson, Bryan Bickell, Andres Nodl, Matt D'Agostini and Nick Leddy. Further down the line, Joe Colborne looks to have more opportunites to break into the league with the laffs in the other league while Eric Tangradi appears to add to the Nokians list of perpetual drooling players.