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.

Atlanta, still believing they are capable of making the postseason, have dealt a 3rd and 4th round pick to the Buffalo Sabres in return for left wing Clarke MacArthur.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have dealt winger Raffi Torres to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Nathan Paestch and a 2nd rd pick 

The Washington Capitals have acquired center Eric Belanger from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2nd round pick.