Column: Who should the North Stars target this trade deadline?

1. Brandon Wagner – Kindersley Klippers

When examining which players might be available, two things are key. Firstly, they must be on a team who’s not necessarily out of the playoffs but aren’t gunning for a league title. Secondly, they are usually in their final year of eligibility (in this case a 1996 born player).

Twenty-year-old Wagner fits both of those as the Klippers are in 10th place overall and have already traded away veteran Josh Bly. More moves are likely coming from them, which could include Wagner.

He leads the Klippers in scoring with 35 points in 38 games. His 12 power play goals are tops in the league and his 19 overall goals are tied for the fourth most in the SJHL.

The Kelowna, B.C., native may be just 5’10” and 160 lbs., but he brings something all teams covet: scoring. The question here is the price, which is likely too high. But still, it’s worth exploring.

2. Jared Blaquiere – La Ronge Ice Wolves

Not only does Blaquiere lead the last place Ice Wolves in scoring, but he is also in his final year of junior eligibility. Plus, he is from nearby Edam, Sask. and put up 50 points last season.

He is another smaller forward (5’10”, 179 lbs.) but he also has grit, which North Stars head coach Nate Bedford asks of all his players.

The Ice Wolves already moved Tristan Elder and Blaquiere is likely the next one to go.

3. Keagan Milligan – Melville Millionaires

Milligan is the leading scorer on Melville, a team that currently sits on the outside looking in at 11th place. Although they lead Kindersley by five games, it’s quite possible they still finish out of the running.

The Emerald Park, Sask. native will get dealt whether they qualify or not, because even if they do, they are unlikely to go deep and Milligan is also in his last year of junior. Why lose him for nothing?

His 30 points this season put him just outside the top-20 in scoring and he would be a good depth add for Battlefords. The problem, once again, as with Wagner, is the price tag. Because he’s the leading scorer, his asking price may be too high.

4. Carson Pickett – Kindersley Klippers

The Klippers captain is another 20-year-old who brings grit and scoring ability, much like Blaquiere.

He had 25 points in 38 games last season and this year has 19 points in 23 games.

Pickett should come cheaper than the other leading scorers on this list, although he is also currently the captain.

5. Clayton Eisler – Melville Millionaires

Eisler is the only defenceman on the list because the North Stars don’t really need help on their blueline.

But, as Bedford has said before, you can never have too many defenceman.

Eisler has 14 points this season but it’s not his offence which would help. He is a 6’0” tall two-way defenceman who takes care of his own end. However, as a 1997 born player, Melville may want to hold on to him for next season.

Nathan Kanter is battlefordsNOW’s sports reporter and voice of the Battlefords North Stars. He can be reached at Nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca or tweet him @NathanKanter11

by Nathan Kanter

Column: Who should the North Stars target this trade deadline?

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