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In the months and days leading up to the NHLs trade deadline, we routinely see teams shuffle older defencemen out to playoff contenders, usually for some sort of future asset. I always find these trades fascinating, because generally speaking, it seems that the player is rarely acquired because hes an effective blueliner. Theres always talk about the laundry list of intangibles the veteran defender will bring to the table come playoff time; far less talk about how the player, more often than not, struggles to get the job done. I think why these trades continue to occur is tied up into the front office and coaching staffs relative lack of trust in younger players to log bigger minutes when the games get meaningful. Sometimes, that lack of trust is warranted. But, ironically, to fix this issue, a team usually targets a defenceman who is years beyond his prime – alternatively, another defenceman who cannot get the job done. Only in this case, an asset – or multiple assets – will be required in order to acquire such a player. I dont think the veteran defenceman acquisition is one that is going to die out in 2014-2015. There are a ton of 34+ age defencemen logging regular minutes this season; a good portion of these players are on short-term deals due to their age, and a good portion of these players currently play on teams who could be eyeballing a prospect or future draft-picks in lieu of a bid at a playoff berth. Theres also the chance that a savvy playoff-bound hockey team will identify said veteran defenceman as a problem, and ship him off to create additional minutes and opportunity for a more competent player internally – the name Eric Brewer, recently traded to Anaheim for a third-round pick, certainly comes to mind here. Make no mistake, most of these older defenders are a drag on their teams performance. Setting up some quick parameters (age 34+; at least 15-games played) can illustrate this. Below, Ive charted the 22-regular veteran defenders by their per-60 scoring rate at 5-on-5, and their RelativeCorsi% -- or, the difference in a teams Corsi% with the player on the ice versus with the player off of the ice. Defencemen, 34+ PLAYER TEAM 2014-15 PTS/60 2014-15 Relative Corsi% Brian Campbell Florida 0.15 +5.17% John-Michael Liles Carolina 0.71 +4.81% Jan Hejda Colorado 0.40 +3.51% Mark Streit Philadelphia 1.04 +2.99% Andrei Markov Montreal 0.96 +2.88% Jordan Leopold Columbus 0.56 -0.37% Marek Zidlicky New Jersey 0.69 -0.38% Francois Beauchemin Anaheim 0.58 -0.55% Willie Mitchell Florida 0.29 -1.62% Lubomir Visnovsky N.Y. Islanders 1.11 -1.62% Michal Rozsival Chicago 0.59 -1.65% Rob Scuderi Pittsburgh 0.37 -2.46% Andrew Ference Edmonton 0.31 -2.53% Stephane Robidas Toronto 0.54 -2.76% Brooks Orpik Washington 0.56 -3.70% Scott Hannan San Jose 0.00 -4.20% Mike Weaver Montreal 0.87 -4.28% Niklas Kronwall Detroit 0.74 -5.20% Chris Phillips Ottawa 0.18 -5.97% Eric Brewer Anaheim 0.61 -6.96% Bryce Salvador New Jersey 0.57 -7.73% Robyn Regehr Los Angeles 0.35 -8.04% Average 0.55 -1.85% You should immediately notice that 17 of the 22 players are in the red – their team controlling play more favorably with them off of the ice. Usage and deployment varies on an individual basis, but the mere fact that only five players have been able to do better than break-even by RelativeCorsi% is a major red flag. The point-scoring is troublesome, too. The group averages about 0.55 points per 60 minutes at even-strength, which is well under the league average (0.71 points per 60 minutes) for regular defencemen. The few names who populate the top of the list by RelativeCorsi% – specifically Brian Campbell, Mark Streit, and Andrei Markov – seem to make intuitive sense. Like most veteran defenders on this list, they have lost a step or two in the skating department. Unlike most of the same veteran defenders on this list, they are still excellent passers. This pays dividends in every area of the ice, and likely is driving their continued success despite a relative lack of mobility. Lets further investigate the other 17 – the guys whose teams play better with them off of the ice than on the ice. We can compare this years performance to the past few years (well use 2011-2014), mostly to see whether this is the norm over a larger sample, or if their play has further deteriorated. First, well look at even-strength points/60. This is far from encouraging. Of the 17 defenders with negative possession numbers this season, fourteen of them have seen a slide in point-scoring this year from the past three seasons. Lets look at RelativeCorsi% next, again charting the differential from 2011-2014 to 2014-2015. Are we seeing stable negative performance, or is their slide growing increasingly negative? This looks eerily similar to the last graph. 12 of the 17 negative-possession defenders have seen a drop in performance from years past. Its important to remember here that all seventeen are still negative possession players – so, even the few players who have posted slight improvements from years past are still getting caved in territorially. In the next couple of months, I think youll see a good number of these defenders be made available by their teams, whether its to upgrade in the short-term internally, or whether its to upgrade in the long-term by dangling the mysticism of player intangibles in front of other general managers for future picks and/or prospects. If Im looking to upgrade at the deadline and can only choose from this list, Brian Campbells certainly a name that interests me. Taking a flyer on Marek Zidlickys expiring deal is intriguing, too. Andrei Markov looks like he still can play, but I doubt Montreals interested in sending him out. Beyond that, I cant imagine a scenario in which Id give up even the most marginal of draft picks or prospects to acquire one of these defencemen. Custom New Orleans Pelicans Jerseys . The 31-year-old, a two-time CFL lineman of the year, was among the most coveted free agents on the market. 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The Brazilian heads into Saturday afternoons race coming off a close runner-up finish to Ryan Hunter-Reay in the Indianapolis 500.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Cam Newton must find a way to beat his biggest nemesis for the Carolina Panthers to advance to the NFC championship game.The fourth-year quarterback is 0-3 in his career and has struggled to find the end zone against the Seattle Seahawks, Carolinas opponent in Saturday nights divisional playoff game.Newton has led only one touchdown drive in those three losses to the Seahawks.Hes barely completed 50 per cent of his passes and is averaging just 145 yards passing per game. Hes been sacked eight times and three turnovers, including two fumbles. Newton has also been limited to 104 yards on the ground and has not scored a touchdown rushing against Seattle.I cant really put a finger on it, Newton said of his struggles against the Seahawks. They have great players and theyre coached extremely well.Seattle coach Pete Carroll said the Seahawks havent done anything special against Newton.Weve just tried to play football and hold on — and weve been able to get that done, Carroll said.This will be Newtons first time playing in Seattle, so battling crowd noise will certainly add to Newtons challenges.Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he believes Newton will be fine as long as he doesnt try to force the action against the leagues No. 1-ranked defence.He just has to take what they give him, Rivera said. I know one thing about him is that he is so competitive and he wants to make things happen, but I think exercising the right type of patience will be good for him.Rivera said Newton has shown he can do just that in recent weeks.While his stats havent been spectacular, Newton has gotten the job done and the Panthers (8-8-1) have won five straight games.If Cam plays the way he has in some of the games in this past five-week stretch there are some really good possibilities for us, Rivera said.Still, odds-makers arent giving Newton and the Panthers much of a chance of winning on the road. They openned the week as an 11-point underdog.ddddddddddddivera said the Panthers will need to perform better in the red zone to have a chance — something theyve struggled with most of the season and in past games against Seattle — and not turn the ball over.Carolina settled for three field goal attempts last Saturday in a 27-16 wild-card win against Arizona and also had three turnovers, two by Newton.When I look back at this past game, we had ample opportunities to score, Newton said. We had a couple of turnovers, senseless turnovers at that. Me being the number one on the blame list being the leader of this offence, we just have to do better. If we do that, who knows what the game will turn out to be?Newton doesnt anticipate the Panthers doing anything differently than they have been in recent weeks.Theyve leaned heavily on Jonathan Stewart in the running game the past five weeks and are averaging 196.6 yards rushing per game during that span.Newton also said he wont hesitate to throw at Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman if the opportunity presents itself.Dont get me wrong, Richard Sherman is a top-tier cornerback, Newton said. But, if the read takes me there, I have to take it. Im not going to shy away from it.The Panthers may be without speedy wide receiver Philly Brown, which could limit Newtons options on offence.The rookie is still recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained against Arizona. He was limited Thursday at practice. Without him, the Panthers lack a deep threat.Rivera said Thursday hell make a decision on Browns playing status closer to kickoff.The Panthers are taking practice squad player Stephen Hill with them to Seattle in case Brown cant play, and they decide to add another wide receiver to the 53-man roster.Brown said he feels well enough to play, but the decision will be up to the coaching staff.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '