Mailbag #20: Approaching The Trade Deadline

RALEIGH, NC. -Happy Saturday, Caniacs.
While the last two outings did not go the way of the Canes, there's no time to dwell on the past. The sights are turned ahead to a Sunday night divisional matchup against the New York Rangers at PNC Arena.
Thanks in part to the fantastic crowds the team has now earned points in 14 straight home games, now just one shy of matching the franchise record. That mark was reached 16 years ago back during the 2005-06 season. Anybody else remember what happened that year?
I tease. Let's get to the questions.

This time of year top teams in playoff contention (Canes among others) struggle on both sides to generate offense, while teams out of the running (Arizona comes to mind) can do surprisingly well even against contenders. Is the mounting pressure a factor for playoff team matches? - @ErinManningWrites
This is a great question.
Truly, I believe the answer is a combination of several factors. Let's dissect a few areas.
In regards to Arizona, their newfound spark can be for a variety of reasons. The Coyotes have a new coach, new systems and a load of new players this year. Things take time to become cohesive, as we know. Perhaps they're just hitting their stride. Credit where credit is due, they've been putting on quite the display lately.
However, there is another side of the coin that is less glamorous. With about 20 games to go in the regular season, the 'Yotes, among other teams, as you said, are not in the playoff hunt. This is a big opportunity for players who are either maybe hoping to get moved at the deadline to a contending team, or showcase what they have for a impending summer in free agency. It's not a secret that some guys on non-playoff teams are "auditioning" for a different landscape this time of year.
Rod Brind'Amour said the below before facing the Flyers last Saturday:
"They're in a different spot then we are. These are dangerous games because they're playing for their jobs and a lot of other things. Care-free is not the word, but they have nothing to lose. That makes them dangerous games."
How'd it go? The top team in the Metro squeaking out a 3-1 victory over the club in the cellar of the group.
Why? The Flyers made it a "muddy" game. They kept it simple schematically and made it tough to get to the center of the ice. It's how a lot of games this time of year and in the playoffs look.
Now, getting a bit more back on track in terms of your question, why do they perhaps not struggle as much against contending teams? Because contending teams are trying to stick to the game plan that has made them successful throughout the year. Look at Toronto on Thursday night. They stuck to their "run and gun" type style and it worked. If it's worked throughout the year, there's no reason to change it, right?
As far as the mounting pressure, maybe there's some, but I do believe the above is more of why we see things change in those types of settings.
How do you think the SAT lineup will be affected with new potential trades? - @dontblamejay
(Reminder, the NHL's Trade Deadline is Monday at 3 p.m.)
Well, Jay, as we saw last night, it was another occurrence in which the SAT line was not together.
We've seen over the course of the entire year, they are together for a stretch, then split up, then brought back together again.
So, to answer your question, I don't believe they would be impacted if there is a deal of any kind. If, and this is solely hypothetical, if, the Canes do bring in another top six forward, I don't think that changes the above blurb. Perhaps the SAT line is reunited and sticks together the rest of the way. Perhaps they have one or two of them with the new acquisition. Having them together is always an option, and spreading around their wealth of talent over the course of two or three separate lines is also always an available attack too.
Every game Svechnikov seems to keep trying these crazy moves, his defensive game has improved big time. Do you think say three years from now he will be one of the most talked about players? - @chipslinger27
Absolutely. I think from a league-wide perspective he's well-known for his lacrosse goals but for those who watch him on an every day basis, I think we're seeing him develop into more and more of a all-around monster.
He's only 21! I think that's the part that gets lost on most people. (Full disclosure, he'll turn 22 next week.)
Think about it this way, he's in his fourth NHL season and has over 250 NHL games played already. Seth Jarvis is 20 and is in his rookie year, closing in on 50 games.
Andrei's now just seven points shy of a new career-high for his career in the league and could finish this season within the ballpark of a point-per-game.
In looking ahead, there's always that one player that seems to blossom into league-wide superstar in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, right? I think we'd be crazy to say Andrei wouldn't be a candidate to be that guy this year.
Totally random…BUT does the team listen or watch the fans while on the bench? Do they see us doing the wave? Lol do they hear us continuing singing songs after they've stopped playing? Do they ever just want to sing while on the bench if they hear a song they like? - @AmyLu1
I'll admit, I'm cheating the system a bit. Amy asked this last week on Friday. I didn't want to give just the generic "yes, they do" - so I didn't answer it. My words are just that. I'm not on the ice.
Then, fast forward 24 hours, Jordan Martinook offered some strong love to the fans after the win over Philadelphia and I knew I had to go back and include this one this week. In case you missed it, the quote I'm referencing:

So, there you have it. Don't take it from me, let Jordan Martinook's words ring true. If you're coming to a game, your passion and energy are felt. No question.
That's where I'll end this week's edition, thanks to everyone, as always, for both asking questions and reading. See you tomorrow at the rink!
Not a member of Twitter? We're always happy to take questions at [email protected] as well!
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