Hemsky for Weiss?

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Florida	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Ales Hemsky	Forward	27	31	9	20	29	$4.1 million	1	Same
--------------------------
To Edmonton	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Stephen Weiss	Forward	27	42	13	18	31	$3.1 million	2	Same

One of the few rumours that have one name going for another has dropped over the weekend and showed up again this afternoon, as the going rate is the Edmonton Oilers moving scoring winger Ales Hemsky down to Florida for playmaking centre Stephen Weiss.

From the first glance, I kind of like this rumour, as it looks like it could help out both teams right from the get-go.   Hemsky would provide some much needed offense to a Panthers team that has an outside shot at a playoff spot, while Weiss would add some depth down the middle, likely taking a number one or number two spot at the pivot position between some quality young talent.

This deal also has the benefit of being a wash for the salary cap, since neither team have any cap concerns and it is only a difference of $1 million going either way this season, but Weiss is locked in for another year, which likely appeals to the Oilers all that much more.

The real trouble that I have with this rumour is that the Panthers aren't necessarily deep in the centre position as it is, so moving their top scoring skater, who also plays the centre position for a 1st line winger doesn't exactly seem like a great trade off, unless there are some more pieces to this deal.  The Panthers are very plentiful at the wing position, but I don't really see many that could slide into the middle and make an impact.  The addition of Hemsky would definitely give the Panthers some more zip, but even in Edmonton, it's been somewhat proven that Hemsky needs a bit of help to be truly effective.

That all being said, a straight one-for-one deal doesn't seem to be terribly likely as a standalone transaction.  The Panthers, if they really were to be moving towards a playoff spot, would likely have to have another player coming back that they could use on their roster or another deal in place to somehow make a deal like this one pay off right away.

This still does sound like a decent rumour, who's to say it really has legs, but in some respects, it does kind of make sense today.  It could be a great deal, if the Panthers have something worked out to make that final push, in my opinion.