I believe you misspoke on that one. I believe you meant to say “temps a surprise mid pack team to turn seller (BUYER) to capitalize on market price.”
I think if the market is depressed and players could be had at a perceived discount, a couple teams will switch from seller to buyer For two reasons. First, that team isn’t getting what they want for their pieces for sale. Second, if the team can make a run at a discount, why not Make a run? I think Ottawa is a great example of a team that could go either way depending on how th market unfoalds.
All that said, if a seller turns buyer, they pull supply from it and create more demand. That in itself would raise the cost to buy. So, we need to be careful in that regard to making predictions.
Just to clarify my opinion, with so many teams still in the mix it makes me think some teams may not be as willing to sell if they still feel they have a shot meaning there are fewer players potentially available meaning teams who want to buy have less options to acquire which would impact the supply and demand in the league. Limited supply potentially raising sell prices could temp a team to sell that we didn't necessarily expect was what I was getting at. It's just as likely that I've completely overthought or misread everything, though I don't think I'm alone on that one with the way the season has gone to date lol.
To your point, it could very well go the other way where more teams being in the mix means a surprise team, or two, chooses to buy. That scenario feels more likely to apply to the East than the West with the potential to back door a trip to the mem cup. Could be that the mushy middle teams are less committed to either buy or sell and get caught being half in or half out. Standing pat could very well be an option for a few teams that may not have otherwise been in a more typical season.
At the end of the day, it's a very peculiar year as we hit the 1/3rd mark of the season. It's a fascinating talking point trying to gauge what some teams may be looking to do or considering what some teams might even be able to do based on their position in the standings and assets available(or lack there of).
It's going to be awkward if there are very few buyers and sellers start calling Saginaw offering good players at a discount as they compete against other sellers to get Saginaw's trade assets. I would think if Peterborough makes a move that triggers the sell off it would spur some teams in the east to feel comfortable buying. It would seem certain teams decision to go for it or sell could be putting other teams into wait and see mode creating a bit of a stagnant market for the time being. I think things will kick off later than normal this year in terms of significant buying or selling moves.