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.

I hope those of you who actually read the site enjoyed, or at least found helpful, my live blog. I know I did not get all the trades, minor ones I needed to ignore for expedience sake and some that were not announced until I had shut down for the day. It was a fun if time consuming experience, and at times a bit frantic as I tried to get a trade summary up only to have another trade announced as I was writing. All in all, I had a good time though.

But enough of my prattle, let’s get to the meat and bones of the article, reviewing the trade deadline.

Trade Deadline Winners

Pittsburgh Penguins

                The Penguins had two needs: a scoring winger and a physical defenseman. They addressed the first one by trading for Toronto’s Alex Ponikarovsky, and partially addressed the second by getting Jordan Leopold. Neither are high caliber players, but at the same time the Pens do not need them to be. Poni will be far better than the third and fourth liners the Pens have been forced to use in a scoring role, and it now frees up those players to strengthen the lower lines. Leopold, a reliable two way defenseman, is good for the defensive depth but cannot clear the crease or throw his body around like the Pens really needed. Regardless, he is a good addition to the team being a second pairing defenseman. Clearing the crease is going to continue to be a problem for the Pens.

                It is important to note the Pens were able to address to their two biggest needs while only relinquishing a 2^nd round pick and prospect that, all things considered, is a relatively low price at the deadline.

Washington Capitals

                The Caps did not go out and get any of the bigger names on the deadline, instead going for quantity over quality. They shored up their lower lines with veterans like Scott Walker and Eric Belanger (who I think is their best acquisition), added depth to the defense by exchanging Brian Pothier for Joe Corvo, and brining back Milan Jurcina traded away just a few months ago. They still have questions at goaltender with an inconsistent Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov who has had an injury riddled season, but I do not think anyone expected them to make a trade for that issue, rather hoping Varlamov can regain his form from last years playoffs. They still do not have an anchor for the defense, which they will try and prove they do not need for the playoffs. A high flying offense, will it still be able to run wild when teams buckle down in the playoffs?

Phoenix Coyotes

                To just about everyone’s surprise the Coyotes were buyers at the deadline, and they bought a lot. They got defenseman Derek Morris from Boston for a paltry 4^th round pick when defenders were going for a 2^nd rounder. They also obtained Lee Stempniak, Wojtek Wolski and Mathieu Schneider along with some other minor deals to bolster their depth, especially their offense. Part of this is a statement to the city that the team is alive and well, but more importantly, they mean business going into the playoffs.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes

                Why do I lump these two together? Because they were both big sellers at the deadline. With no playoff hopes their respective GM’s sold what assets they could, getting a host of picks and prospects in the process. While there is no guarantee any of those will work out, it is better than waiting until the summer when the players walk for nothing, and they made sure to get good value in return.

Trade Deadline Losers

Philadelphia Flyers

                For twenty years, the Flyers have failed to advance because they lacked steady goaltending. They still have not learned their lesson. Michael Leighton may have played well thus far in his short stint, but can you really count on a career backup to carry you through the playoffs? There is a reason teams build from the net out, but Philly likes to do the opposite. That they have handcuffed themselves with their cap, giving out large deals and no trade clauses, does not help the matter, nor did their lack of tradable picks having dealt their next two first round picks for Chris Pronger. The Flyers continue to be one solid goaltender away from being a serious contender.

 A typical scene in the playoffs

Boston Bruins

                The Bruins needed help on offense and all they did was swap two way Derek Morris for the offensive minded Dennis Seidenberg. While Seidenberg does provide better offense from the blue line, it does not address the Bruins lack of scoring up front, a continual problem. With goaltender Tim Thomas back to his inconsistent ways, the combination could be lethal for the Bruins playoff aspirations.

New York Rangers

                The Rangers are falling and Glenn Sather needed to make a decision: buy or sell at the deadline. He chose the third option in doing nothing. They acquired Olli Jokinen before the Olympic break but even if he starts playing to his abilities, it will not be enough to pull the Rangers out of their slump. Sather should have either sold what he could or added some pieces to have a legitimate shot in the playoffs; I think the former would be better as even with additions this roster does not seem capable of beating the top tier Eastern teams. To me, doing nothing was the worst thing he could do.

Montreal Canadiens

                Montreal holds a tenuous grip on a playoff spot and apparently, their way to keep a hold of it is to deal for Dominic Moore and Aaron Palashuj. I did not expect them to deal either of their goaltenders Price or Halak, but they could have used help with the skaters. This was their time to get that help and instead they added no one that can have a big impact.

Vancouver Canucks

                Vancouver is one of the top teams in the West, but could have used some additional scoring. They added Andrew Alberts to help their injury plagued defense, and he will do fine as a fill in and bottom pairing defender. However, with the lack of additional scoring Vancouver could still rely too much on a single line for their offense. While they have a strong team, and can be forgiven far more than the others on this list can, it may not be enough against powerhouses like San Jose and Chicago.

Atlanta Thrashers

                Don Waddell publicly stated his team is a playoff contender. His response to making his team better was to deal for Clarke MacArthur. No knock against MacArthur, but he is far from the kind of player that helps take a team to the next level. They had free agents they could have sold and gotten decent returns for the deadline, but now they will likely witness their departure this summer, after an early playoff exit if the Thrashers even qualify for the postseason.

Players that did not move

                What was most surprising of this deadline is that, despite having more trades than any other deadline, there were no major deals. The major deals, such as those included Dion Phaneuf and Ilya Kovalchuk, happened before the Olympic break so are not deadline deals. There were plenty of rumors of players moving, and below are listed the more prominent names that were speculated to go somewhere but stayed put.

Ray Whitney, Carolina Hurricanes

                Whitney negated a trade to LA earlier, and it was rumored he desired to be dealt to Pittsburgh who did not seem to show the same interest for whatever reason (likely an unwillingness to pay Carolina’s asking price). Instead, Whitney is staying in Carolina, and since he likes living there with his family and already has won a Stanley Cup, he probably is not too upset over it.

Dan Hamhuis, Nashville Predators

                A rugged defenseman, if anyone wanted to pry Hamhuis from the Preds the price was going to be high. Apparently, it was too high as towards the end of the deadline the Preds announced they would not be dealing him. Hamhuis would no doubt be a good addition to any team’s defense, but with Nashville still in the playoff hunt they were not going to give him up unless there was a massive overpayment.

Slava Kozlov, Atlanta Thrashers

                I only mention him because his trade request was made public. However, being in his late thirties and having a terrible year there was no market for him, and it was no surprise to see him remain in Atlanta.

Sheldon Souray, Edmonton Oilers

                With two more years at $5.5mm each, it was no shock Edmonton could not move the expensive and oft injured blue liner. It was announced he had an infection in his injured hand that would keep him out the remainder of the year, ruining any chance he would be moved.

Tomas Kaberle, Toronto Maple Leafs

                Despite Brian Burke constantly saying he was not going to ask Kaberle to waive his no trade clause the media would not relent in their rumors. Burke told the truth and Kaberle is still here. I get people do not like the man, but that does not mean he does not tell the truth. Kaberle did give Burke three teams he would be willing to be traded to, but that was initiated by Kaberle himself and Burke sounded as though his attempt to make a deal with those teams was half hearted.

Marty Turco, Dallas Stars

                There was zero market for starting goalies, and Turco is proof. While a host of backups were dealt not a single prominent goalie switched teams. Turco, the long time Star who is unlikely to remain with the team beyond this season, was the name being thrown around the most. But if there is no market, especially with a hefty salary like his, no other team is going to bite.

Michael Ryder, Boston Bruins

                The Bruins, despite needing offense, wanted to rid themselves of Ryder because of his hefty salary and lack of production. To no surprise, those two reasons are exactly why no other teams wanted him. It is pretty much common sense here.

Alexander Frolov, LA Kings

                It is always amusing to hear a GM come out and say there was never truth to any rumors and no teams made an offer for a player rumored to be moved. That is the case with Frolov as Kings GM Dean Lombardi publicly stated he was never trying to deal the forward nor was there any offers for him. An example of why you never trust rumor mongers.

Deadline Awards

Biggest Steal

Derrick Morris for a 4^th round pick

Many will consider the Whitney-Visnovsky swap the biggest steal, but Whitney is young and can get better. In a deadline where most defensemen were going for a 2nd round pick, or a later pick and prospect, Phoenix got Morris for a mere 4^th. Boston was eager to dump his salary to make other moves, and credit goes to Phoenix GM Don Maloney for not giving up more. He got a decent second pairing defenseman for a low price.

Most Miffing Deal

Milan Jurcina back to Washington

                “Hey Milan, remember us? Your old team the Capitals? Yeah, I know we gave up on you a little while ago trading you as part of a salary dump, but we changed our minds and all, and we realized we need-, err, wanted you back. That who trade thing is water under the bridge right? This isn’t going to be an awkward situation is it old buddy? (Oh boy is this awkward).”

                Seriously, I get why the Caps did it. Jurcina adds depth, knows the system and the price was cheap. But it still is weird trading back for a player that you had given up on not so long ago.

Most Useless Deal (not including minor leagues)

Petteri Nokelainen to Phoenix for a 6^th rd pick

                Nokelainen was a former first round pick by the New York Islanders in 2004. Since that time he has been traded three times and is on pace for a career high fourteen points. At only 24 years old, when a player is peddled around this much, it is not a good sign for their future. I do not see what he adds that could make Phoenix take a chance on him, it seems they dealt for him just to make a deal.

Most Surprising Deal

Ryan Whitney to Edmonton and Lubomir Visnovsky to Anaheim

It took a single year for Anaheim to give up on young defender Whitney, being dealt a little over a year after he was acquired. In return, Anaheim gets a consistent defenseman that will be a major help to their playoff aspirations. Though older and more expensive, Visnovsky is far more reliable than Whitney, who is still horribly prone to mental lapses and play that is so soft even Snuggles is telling him to man up.  Sadly, this could be a growing trend for the defenseman who was drafted 5^th overall in 2002.

Ryan, you're too soft for even me.  

Best deal not made

Dan Hamhuis, Nashville Predators

                The Preds are likely bound for the playoffs barring a collapse in the next twenty games. Hamhuis was sought after for a reason: he is a valuable addition to any team’s blue line. So keeping him gives the Preds and asset others thought highly of. I do not think there was really much of a chance Hamhuis would be moved, the Preds considering him too valuable and making the asking price exorbitant.

Biggest Overpayment

                Joe Corvo for Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala and a 2^nd rd pick

                I will say outright this is far from a massive overpayment. Looking at the deals there really was not a major overpayment to be had. If Corvo went for just Osala or a 2^nd I would have understood, but he is not that much of an improvement over Pothier to warrant that. And he when looking to shore up your defense, you usually do not trade for a guy who has the nickname "Oh no Corvo"

"

 Apparently the nickname applies to his tatoos also

Deal a team will most regret

Mathieu Schneider, Phoenix Coyotes

                It is not that the 6^th round pick was any large sum, rather it is how Schneider has been playing this year. Even injury aside, he was nothing but detrimental to Vancouver’s blue line, no amount of experience making up for the bad play and his eroded skills. Phoenix traded for him to be a leader and add experience and depth to the blue line, but if they play him regular minutes, they will soon realize their mistake.

Most Improved Team

Pittsburgh Penguins

Go ahead and call me a homer if you want, but the reason I give the Pens the nod for this is because they addressed their needs the best. Washington I felt needed a stay at home defenseman rather than the offensive Corvo, and Jurcina is not exactly a shut down guy either. The Caps lose out to the Pens because of that, but not by much.

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