Silvertips trade unlikely as deadline approaches
Team's philosophy is to develop players rather than trade for them

By Nick Patterson
Herald Writer


EVERETT - All's quiet on the trade front, at least as far as the Everett Silvertips are concerned.

Today is the Western Hockey League's trade deadline, the last chance for teams to try and improve their personnel. But it's unlikely the Silvertips will be a significant player in today's action.

Indications are there's been little communication between Everett and the other teams in the league. Therefore it's unlikely the Tips will make any kind of major splash today.

"I don't think our philosophy is to trade just because there's a trade deadline," Everett coach and director of hockey operations Kevin Constantine said.

The trade deadline is usually one of the busiest days of the season as teams try to load up for a playoff run, or move veterans in an attempt to upgrade their future.

Everett theoretically would be a buyer at today's deadline, which comes at 2 p.m. The Tips, currently in first place in the U.S. Division, still appear to be a couple pieces away from being a championship contender. Everett could use another experienced defenseman and a physical forward.

However, the Tips with the greatest trade value are Everett's 1988-born players, such as forwards Peter Mueller, Zach Hamill and Brady Calla. Those players are already major contributors and are a huge part of Everett's bright future, so the Tips are reluctant to part with any of them.

Therefore the Tips appear ready to forge ahead without any major changes.

"Even if you aren't comfortable with your roster, that doesn't necessarily mean you could make a trade anyhow," Constantine said. "And given the fact we're a team that really believes in developing players rather than trading players, I would say we're comfortable with the team we have. I think the team is showing that when healthy it can compete."

Traditionally, Everett has been little more than a spectator at the trade deadline. In 2004 the Tips made just a pair of minor moves, trading a pair of rarely-used players in forward David Jacobson and defenseman Stewart Thiessen for Bantam Draft picks. Last season Everett didn't make any trades at the deadline.

"Our basic philosophy is that we try to develop our players from within," Constantine said. "We think we have a great scouting staff and we think players in this particular age bracket shouldn't be traded on a whimsical basis.

"That doesn't mean that if we find a deal we think can really be a positive for our team we wouldn't do it," Constantine continued. "We've also tended to trade players we think will get a better opportunity somewhere else. So if we find something that will make us better, or find something that can help one of our guys play in this league if they're deserving and just aren't a fit with us, we'll do that."

Everett isn't the only team that may let the deadline come and pass without making any major moves. There's been less buzz surrounding this year's trade deadline than in previous years, with a lack of quality 1987-born players in the league making it harder to find equitable trades.

Prince Albert center Kyle Chipchura and Kamloops goaltender Devan Dubnyk are the most-prominent names mentioned in trade rumors, but it's possible neither of those players will be moved.

"I'm relatively new to this, but the word on the street is that it's maybe a little quieter year trade wise than normal," Constantine said. "So we'll just have to wait and see what happens."

There was one substantial trade made Monday. Seattle picked up a trio of 19-year-olds, acquiring center Kyle Pess, left wing Robert Klinkhammer and goaltender Kevin Opsahl from Lethbridge in exchange for 17-year-old center Mitch Fadden, 18-year-old center Yashar Farmanara and 18-year-old goaltender Gavin McHale.

Notes: The rosters for the Canadian Hockey League's Top Prospects Game will be announced today.

The Top Prospects Game, which takes place Jan. 18 in Ottawa, is designed to showcase the talents of the top players eligible for the 2006 NHL Draft currently playing major junior hockey.

Everett is expected to have a strong presence at the game, with Mueller, Calla, left wing Ondrej Fiala and goaltender Leland Irving all candidates to be selected.