My Own Theory

This is 100% speculation on my part, but I feel like a there might be a fairly significant trade coming. I am not one that tends to spread trade rumors or spin conspiracy theories, but it seems to me that the 'stars seem to be aligning' for some type of trade... most likely involving Gretzky's (and Maloney's) Pheonix Coyotes. Here is why:

• First, I feel that there is no better time than now to trade Al Montoya. He has played extremely will at the AHL level and showed why he was selected 6th overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft. Not only do the Rangers not want to pay a huge rookie bonus to a backup goaltender in the future, but Maloney knows how good this kid could be and that he is ready for the NHL. Plus, the Coyotes do not have any top end goalie prospects in their system and have recently signed David Aebischer to start for them. He cannot be their long term answer in net.
• Second, I am thinking that there is a reason why the Rangers are stalling in their process of signing (or not signing) Michael Peca. I firmly believe that Sather wants Peca as their third center, but it is not that easy. I think that Sather IS looking for an upgrade at backup goaltender and he IS looking at a possible trade with Pheonix (or maybe someone else). All of this makes a complex situation with the cap, which makes it quite difficult to dedicate cap money to a checking center Sather might want, but might have to let go due to financial constraints.
• Lastly, I think Sather knows that the team's defense is not good enough to go all the way. He probably has been searching for an elite defenseman, something that this team hasn't had since Brian Leetch. The problem is... he needs to find a team that actually doesn't mind dealing an elite defenseman, which most teams would want to keep. You need to find a team that is rebuilding and willing to shed the large contract that an elite defenseman is most likely earning. Right now there is no better match than the Pheonix Coyotes. They presently have three defenseman, Ed Jovanowski, Derek Morris, and Nick Boyton, who all have larger contracts than they should have and are signed until at least the 08-09 season. Since Jovo is the most elite of the three, I would expect him to be the target.

If there are negotiations going on right now between these clubs, it won't be an easy trade to complete. There are just way too many variables involved. First, the Rangers have a serious cap problem and they would have to unload salary to bring in a contract as hefty as (lets say) Jovo's. Second, the Yotes are presently below the salary cap minimum of 34.3 million... with only approximately 30 million in contracts for next year. So basically, the Yotes would want/need just as much money back as they are dumping. It is quite an odd cap scenario indeed. Lastly, the next variable has to do with the fact that the Yotes are clearly the team working from a power position here, not Sather. The Yotes could just keep Jovo, sign a couple free agents to get over the cap, and play out the season without an issue. Sather is the one that needs to pay (in prospects, assets, etc) to get Maloney to not only trade Jovo, but take larger (and probably unwanted) contracts off of the Ranger's hands. I could only assume that those contracts would have to be Malik, Mara, and possibly (but not likely) Kasparitis. That means parting with more than must just their #1 prospect in Montoya, but possibly more prospects/draft picks. If these negotiations are indeed ongoing, it would take an awful lot to get it done, but I believe both sides are in a position of want here. The Rangers want an elite defenseman (Jovo) and the Coyotes need a future in goal (Montoya). And as long as that is true, their is a possibility, although rather small because of the unique scenarios involved, that this deal could get completed.