MIDNIGHT COWBOY

One thing about Craig MacTavish: when it comes to making trades, he’s not a stay-at-home. Since the season began, no GM has been more active in trying to make his team better.

Just after midnight eastern time, NHL teams can start trading again. Craig MacTavish is one of the few established sellers and two possible trade assets (Ales Hemsky and Anton Belov) were on display at the Olympics.

Hemsky specifically impressed, and if the Oilers plan on dealing him now might be the time. Edmonton doesn’t get back into action until Thursday, which would give the club a chance to adjust to Hemsky’s exit.

A couple of notes: I don’t think the Oilers trade Petry, but it’s a seller’s market and if a team is in dire need of help and willing to overpay for an impending RFA due for a big raise? Maybe you move him for that overpay.

Gagner we’ve known about for some time, Hemsky is likely going and Nick Schultz is extremely likely to be dealt. I wonder about a guy like Belov or Potter, and based on this season Ryan Smyth will hold value. Mark Arcobello? Ryan Jones.

You never know.

When midnight hits, someone will break the ice with a deal and after that it’s on. There are so few teams who are selling this season the value for a Hemsky or a Gagner or a Petry could be exceptional. The Olympics are over. It’s time for some trading.