Blazers GM Matt Bardsley picked up a defenseman on Thursday, but he's still open to another deal before Friday's trade deadline (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

WHL TRADE DEADLINE

Blazers GM keeping eyes open for more deals as trade deadline looms Friday

Jan 9, 2020 | 6:29 PM

KAMLOOPS — Blazers general manager Matt Bardsley worked his magic early in the season. He solidified the Blazers as top contenders with the acquisition of two overage players that have been difference-makers.

It started in October with a trade for 20-year-old forward Ryan Hughes, who scored twice, including the overtime winner, in his first game with the team.

Bardsley then got Max Martin from Prince Albert to be the team’s No. 1 defenseman.

“He’s an offensive guy, but he plays a really good two-way game. Just been real happy with Max and his play,” noted Bardsley. “He’s been real good in the locker room, a very mature person, has a lot of leadership qualities to him, so I think everything on the ice, off the ice, I’ve been real happy with.”

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

1h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

“Max, he certainly added another element to our back end. One thing, too, is the experience he had last year, going to the Western Hockey League championship and going to the Memorial Cup.”

Even with Thursday’s trade for 19-year-old import defenseman Libor Zabransky from Moose Jaw, Bardsley is keeping his eyes open for deals.

For him, though, it’s a matter of balancing the team with veterans and giving young player more opportunities.

“There is that balance. We still want to make sure we’re developing our players, young guys. They’ll need the ice time to continue to develop,” he said. “At the same time, if we can give our team a chance to really make a deep run in the playoffs, if it takes bringing in another players.”

But pulling the trigger on another deal may be difficult. Bardsley says the trade market for contending teams looking for a big splash is not necessarily there.

“I really get the sense there are more buyers than there are sellers. I think you have a handful of teams that are really good, then you have another 10 teams that feel they’re playoff teams. You might have a couple that feel they have to get into the playoffs. So that only leaves you with a handful that maybe feel they’re probably not going to make the playoffs.”

The Blazers traded for 19-year-old import defenseman Libor Zabransky from Moose Jaw on Thursday (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

Whether the Blazers make another move before the 2 p.m deadline on Friday, the team is confident in the group it has now.

“Matt will be doing what he needs to do. I don’t think we have any major concerns. We’ve been playing some good hockey. I think we have lots of time between now and the playoffs to make improvements internally,” said Blazers head coach Shaun Clouston.

Connor Zary added, “If it happens, we’re going to gel with a new player coming in. If it doesn’t happen, we’re still confident going forward. We know we have a good team. We can win it all. So whatever happens, that’s kind of out of our control. You just do what you can do, and obviously we’re excited going into this long stretch coming up.”