Trade deadline, Tuesday, Jan 10th

A few thoughts on the team as trade deadline day looms in the next couple of days up until Jan 10th.

With the Grizzlies going one for three on the recent roadtrip and now 10 points out of the final playoff spot, it's looking like the boys may be on pretty thin ice to make one of the top 4 playoff spots.

The team itself has talent and as we all know the forward lines have hit the headlines all season with their offensive prowess and talent. The goaltending hasn't been as consistent as I'm sure the organization would like, but, Tucker and Rockafellow are good enough to stop shots at this level. The Defence almost feels like it been in a state of flux for most of the season.
So what does management do, throw the dice and make a few trades to bring in a few guys giving up some of the exsisting talent that Victoria has or picking up a couple of players just released from there Major Junior teams and give it a go that way. As I have mentioned on the blog before, even if you mount a 2nd half season comeback your going to find yourself in a dog-fight with Powell River or Cowichan in the Coastal playoffs. If you clear those hurdles, you come up in the Fred Page Cup, versus the Penticton "where on a 21 game win streak" Vees, to try and knock off, to make it to the RBC cup in Humboldt.

So what does the smart money say? The Grizzlies this season, might just be sellers at the deadline.
As they have futures pending from the Robertson trade, the possible arrival of Zach McPhee from the WHL's Everett Silvertips next season you can keep adding to that. Now if you where to trade one of the big guns, we could net further futures/prospects for next season. I'm sure a Myron, Ten Vaanholt and Moran would like to potentially be on a contender come trade deadline.
Thinking out loud, does anyone remeber the Grizzlies trade with the Quesnel Millionaires for quality BCHL sniper Trevor Hertz, back in the RBC Cup season a couple of years ago. This was a master stoke from Quensel as the 19 yr old Hertz was on some kind of futures/ half season loan, to help the Grizzlies in the playoffs and the RBC tourney itself. Once Victoria's RBC Cup challenge was done, Hertz went back to the Millionaires the next season along with netting talented young Grizzlies defenceman, Sam Higgins as part of the deal back to Quesnel. Thinking out loud here, could anyone see something similar happening with Wade Murphy?

If you look at next season as the current roster stands, there is some real talent coming back next season in the form of:  (this depends on scholarship's and other potential moves)

 Forwards -  Wade Murphy, Myles Powell, Chase Kasier, Alex Holland, Dylan Walchuk, Coltyn Hansen and Cam Lawson

Defence - Nolan Dejong, Stefan Gonazales and Braxton Bilious

Goaltending - Garrett Rockafellow

So if the Grizzlies do decide to be sellers at the deadline, gathering up prospects or futures to add to the possible list of returnee's,.............the 2012/13 season might just be the key.