To trade or not to trade…that is the question?

A pendulum like season complicated by injuries to key personnel in the wake of unpredictable uncharacteristically close playoff races has made the trade deadline a dilemma for most WHL teams including the Prince Albert Raiders.

The Raiders first five games of the second half has provided no clear picture to Coach and GM Bruno Campese as to whether he should deal veterans with value to go young and build for the future, or stand pat and add a piece or two for a playoff spot push.

Two losses to Saskatoon and a setback in Regina to start the post-Christmas portion of the schedule had you thinking the Raiders should take a long hard look at going young. However, Sunday's solid 5-4 win over a very good Red Deer team at the Art Hauser Centre followed by the wild and woolly heart stopping 6-5 comeback win over the Wheat Kings in Brandon put P.A. back into a playoff spot (The Raiders have a two point lead in Lethbridge, but the Hurricanes have four games in hand).

The options are being considered knowing the Raiders play seven of their next eight games at home, another one of several make or break stretches for this hockey team and its fans, who haven't seen playoff hockey since March of 2007.

Option three is a saw-off. Rookie forwards Mike Winther and Shane Danyluk are coming back after strong performances for Team Pacific at the World Under 17 challenge in Winnipeg, while 17-year-old rookie Todd Fiddler has stepped up his game (two goals vs Brandon) replacing the injured Justin Maylan on a top two line. The emergence of rookie Matt Berry from the healthy scratch list increases the possibility of a deal involving a veteran defenseman. However, even though Berry looks ready for more ice time, the chances of a back line deal are dependent on the recoveries of Tyler Yaworski and Harrison Ruopp. Yaworski is battling back from mononucleosis while Ruopp is out for up to three more weeks with a shoulder injury.

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If Campese is confident those improving youngsters can step in and minimize the impact of moving a veteran or two, there is a chance of making the playoffs while putting a piece of the future puzzle in place. What makes this an attractive option is the fact there is more demand than supply heading into Monday's trade deadline. The only definite seller is the Calgary Hitmen who are currently nine points out of the dance but more daunting is the fact they need to pass four teams to get to the post season.

Buyers include Saskatoon who are one offensively gifted player who can quarterback the power play away from Memorial Cup contention, in addition to Kootenay (the Ice have two first round draft choices), Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Spokane. Portland and Tri City may also dig deeper after making blockbuster deals (The Americans acquired Carter Ashton and a draft pick from Regina for two players and three draft picks while the Winterhawks swapped two players and two draft picks for Vancouver's Craig Cunningham). The Pats also picked up two players and a draft pick from Kamloops for 20 year old winger Thomas Frazee so there is tremendous value for medium to high impact veterans.

There are valid arguments for all three options which may become much more clear after games Friday against Saskatoon and Saturday against the Wheat Kings at the Art Hauser Centre. But the way this season has gone…don't bet on it.

A full recap of trade deadline day can be heard Monday night at 6pm on 900 CKBI's “face-off”. All Raider games can also be heard on 900 CKBI and 900ckbi.com.

dwilson@rawlco.com