NHL Trade Deadline Recap
There was no blockbuster at today's deadline, but some good deals nonetheless. We break 'em down:
Olli Jokinen to the Flames for Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Prust, and a first round pick
Probably the closest to a blockbuster. Olli Jokinen is a solid player, and has had success before with Mike Keenan. He and Jerome Iginla provide a nice 1-2 punch, and I think the addition of Jordan Leopold on defense (who they got from Colorado) can be enough to propel them as the number 2 team in the West. That said, Detroit and San Jose are really, really good. And even with Jokinen, I'm not sure they can leap frog. They can, but it will be hard.
Bill Guerin to the Penguins for a draft pick
Good, solid, move. Veteran presence on a young team. HE probably will play with either Crosby or Malkin, which allows Guerin to score a lot of goals. Add Guerin and Kunitz, and I think you have a playoff team. I would've liked to see them get an impact defenseman (Niclas Havlid, Steve Montador, Jordan Leopold). But the two moves should propel them into playoff hockey.
Mark Recchi to the Bruins for Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums
Great deal. Recchi adds a veteran presence to a young, young team, and can still chip in offensively. He's a guy with Cup experience, and even at 41, is still solid. Good move. (Side note: Peter Chiarulli might be one of the best GMs in Hockey)
Nik Antropov to the Rangers for a second round draft pick and a conditional pick.
Gotta love the move. The Rangers get size and scoring ability--something desperately needed. And while he hasn't lived up to his potential, it's the type of move that can propel them into the second round. He can score 8-10 goals down the stretch, make the power play better, and take pressure off Gomez, Drury, etc.
Derek Morris to the Rangers for Dimitri Kalinin, Nigel Dawes, and Petr Prucha.
Good move for the Rangers, and good move for the Coyotes. Morris adds a big defenseman and a big shot on the point to a team that needs both. He essentially replaces Kalinin, who wasn't working out. And although they lose Dawes and Prucha, they get better with Sean Avery and Antropov. Solid day for the Blueshirts.
Dominic Moore to the Sabres for a second round pick
Nice move. He should fit in nicely with Thomas Vanek. Quick word on the Leafs. They're doing a nice job of stockpiling draft picks.
Erik Cole to the 'Canes for Patrick O'Sullivan
(This was a three team deal, essentially O'Sullivan went to the Hurricanes from LA for Justin Williams and then O'Sullivan went to Edmonton for Cole.)
Cole goes back to Carolina. It should be a nice fit. He can still score. I don't think, however, he will get them into the playoffs.
That was pretty much it. I think the Flames, Rangers, and Bruins did very, very well.
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