The NHL Trade Deadline, or Christmas #1 for hockey fans, (Christmas #2 being first day of free agency) has come and gone with another round of trades that were surprising, one sided and miffing. This was a relatively quiet year, mostly because so many teams are within reach of the playoffs that it was a buyer’s market with few sellers. Even though it had more trades than any other deadline, there were no major transactions unlike past years, making many consider this deadline to be disappointing.

What an awesome beginning to the 2010 Offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Let’s take a quick look at what’s been going on.

1) Sign Casey Hampton to a 3 yr deal worth 21 million

2) Franchise KICKER Jeff Reed

3) Negotiations with Ryan Clark failing.

4) Ravens trade for Anquan Boldin; sign Donte Stallworth

5) Bengals sign Matt Jones / interested in TO / Brandon Marshall

6) Browns resign Josh Cribbs.

7) Still nothing on Limas Sweed and his status for next season.

8) Free agency visits from Bodden, Arnaz Battle

9) Ben Roethlisberger AGAIN accused of sexual and drunken douchebaggery

So let’s take stock here. The reason why the Steelers missed the playoffs was the fact that they choked it away in their division. 4 losses to the other 3 teams including the disaster @ Cleveland. All of these teams are on track at improving at least on paper. The Steelers? Just business as usual.

I was kind of hoping for Peppers or Dansby but Antrelle and Kenny should be a nice safety tandem for years to come pending a smooth recovery by Kenny from microfracture surgery (please nfl G-ds!).

You know, one of these NBA seasons, and I pray its the 2010-2011 one, I won't simply be praying for first pitch of Yanks season in March but rather getting pumped about meaningful March Knicks games. Oh well. Anyway, since White Boy Senior and his softball pals are on their annual spring training trip of their own as they engage in a quasi-similar mission as do athletes located only 90 miles away in Tampa/St. Pete, I have begun to get annoyed by Spring Training in general. And truthfully, I much prefer the beer league variety my father and his friends are partaking in!  I got a lot of problems with MLB Spring Training and here they are......

In a rarity, two rival teams have made a deal with the Oilers trading defenseman Steve Staios to Alberta rival Flames for defenseman Aaron Johnson and a 3rd round pick.

The Anaheim Ducks have traded young defender Ryan Whitney and a 6th round pick to the Edmonton Oilers for veteran defenseman Lubomir Vishnovsky.

The LA Kings have received forward Fredrik Modin from the Columbus Blue Jackets in return for future considerations.

 The Capitals gave a boost to their defense by adding Joe Corvo from Carolina, sending Brian Pthier and prospect Oskar Osala. Update: the Capitals also dealt a second round pick to the Hurricanes.  

 The Maple Leafs continue to dismantle their disappointing roster, dealing forward Lee Stempniak to Phoenix for a 4th and 7th round pick.  

After being dealt to Columbus just months ago along with Chris Clarke for Jason Chimera, Washington has traded back for defenseman Milan Jurcina for a 6th round pick.