Here's a breakdown of the deadline deals from today and my take on each. Most of the 25 trades made were frivolous in nature. Other than the "why even bother" variety, I estimate that possibly only 5 of these deals might impact a Cup champion. Half of the 44 names included are unknown quantities. Several of the draft choices traded are so far back in the rounds they will be inconsequential, with an odd exception. First round picks are the prized wild cards of these deals. In roughly 100 days, many of the GM's who pulled off these deals will likely wonder why they got caught in the frenzy.
Anaheim Ducks acquired LW Brad May from Colorado Avalanche in exchange for G Michael Wall.
May is a decent checking winger, Wall brings depth in goal for a team who badly needs it.
Atlanta Thrashers claimed F Jason Krog off waivers from the New York Rangers.
Krog can light it up at the AHL level, it cost the Thrashers nothing to bring him back.
Buffalo Sabres traded G Martin Biron to Philadelphia Flyers for 2nd rd 2007 draft pick.
Biron could have fetched a better return earlier. Why the Sabres even bothered with this one baffles me. Was it cost related? A Cup contender now has no backup goaltending. A brain scratcher for sure!
Buffalo Sabres acquired G Ty Conklin from Columbus Blue Jackets for 5th rd 2007 draft pick.
Conklin is a rattled cage - dumb move!
Buffalo Sabres acquired F Dainius Zubrus and D Timo Helbling from Washington Captials in exchange for F Jiri Novotny and first-round 2007 draft pick.
Zubrus will fit in nicely with the Sabres style up front. Novotny had some upside for the Caps.
Buffalo Sabres acquired D Mikko Lehtonen from Nashville Predators in exchange for 4th rd 2007 draft pick.
A depth defenseman for the Sabres fearing a repeat of last seasons injuries pilaging their D.
Calgary Flames acquired D David Hale and 5th rd 2007 draft pick from New Jersey Devils in exchange for 3rd rd 2007 draft pick.
Good depth pick up for the Flames.
Colorado Avalanche acquired RW Scott Parker from San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 6th rd 2008 draft pick.
Parker should put the Avs over the top...Oh nevermind! A pointless deal.
Columbus Blue Jackets claimed G Brian Boucher off waivers from Chicago Blackhawks.
Perfectly replaces the uselessness of Conklin.
Detroit Red Wings acquired RW Todd Bertuzzi from Florida Panthers in exchange for C Shawn Matthias and two conditional draft picks.
A chemistry killer. The thought of this thug hoisting a mug in this sacred jersey makes me want to retch. For one post season anyway, I'll be cheering against the Wings for this one.
Edmonton Oilers traded F Ryan Smyth to New York Islanders for prospects Robert Nilsson and Ryan O'Marra and a first-round 2007 draft pick.
The biggest deal of the day! While the hallucinogenic Isles will be dreaming of a fifth Stanley with this one, Kevin Lowe has fleeced Garth Snow big time.
Los Angeles Kings traded D Mattias Norstrom, F Konstatin Pushkarev and 3rd and 4th picks in 2007 toDallas Stars in exchange for D Jaroslav Modry, the rights to D Johan Fransson, 2nd and 3rd rd 2007 draft picks and 1st rd 2008 draft pick.
Norstrom makes the Stars a contender of sorts. All the bit pieces of this deal are dust in the wind other than the Kings getting a first round pick.
New York Rangers trade D Aaron Ward to Boston Bruins in exchange for D Paul Mara.
A slight upgrade for the Bruins, Mara moves closer to the journeyman tag without much resume
Montreal Canadiens claimed G Michael Leighton off waivers from Philadelphia Flyers.
Leighton could be the next "Red Light Racicot!" A pickup for the Hamilton Bulldogs only.
Nashville Predators acquire C Dominic Moore from Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for 3rd rd 2007 draft pick.
Moore, as a Ranger, was a Habs killer. Too bad the teams won't meet for another three years.
Ottawa Senators acquired F Oleg Saprykin and a second-round 2007 draft pick from Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for 2nd rd 2008 draft pick.
With the Sens farm system virtually depleted, why deal a 2nd rd pick for a 4th round has-been?
Philadelphia Flyers claimed F Denis Hamel off waivers from Atlanta.
The Thrashers will never replace Hamel!
Pittsburgh Penguins acquired F Gary Roberts from Florida Panthers for D Noah Welch.
Roberts is used down to the bones. He'll be long gone once the Penguins win a Cup. Welch will become a top 4 D-man one day. An odd move at the price.
Pittsburgh Penguins acquired F Georges Laraque from Phoenix in exchange for F Daniel Carcillo and 3rd rd 2007 draft pick.
Sidney's new bodyguard isn't as eager to drop them as he once was. Has 2 years remaining on current deal. A smart move with little risk.
Pittsburgh Penguins acquired D Joel Kwiatkowski from Florida Panthers in exchange for 4th rd 2007 draft pick.
Helps the Penguins depth at the position.
Pittsburgh Penguins acquired G Nolan Schaefer from San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 7th rd 2007 draft pick.
Insurance for Wilkes-Barre.Phoenix Coyotes claimed F Niko Kapanen off waivers from Atlanta Thrashers.
Replenishes losses from recent trades, nothing else.
San Jose Sharks acquired F Bill Guerin from St. Louis Blues for 1st rd 2007 draft pick, LW Ville Nieminen and F Jay Barriball.
A big move! Combined with the aquisition of Rivet days earlier, Guerin adds veteran presence to the Sharks hopes. Might be one of the deals that actually turns into something.
Tampa Bay Lightning acquired RW Jason Ward from Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 5th rd 2007 draft pick.
Ward is better than average PK man, a Lightening liability.
Tampa Bay Lightening acquired RW Karl Stewart from Chicago in exchange for RW Nikita Alexeev and 6th rd 2008 draft pick.
More promise on the the Chicago side of this one.
Tampa bay Lightening acquired D Joe Rullier from Anaheim in exchange for D Doug O'Brien.
Unknown quanity for unknown quantity. Somebody knows who these guys are!
Toronto Maple Leafs acquired C Yanic Perreault and 5th rd 2007 draft pick from Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for D Brendan Bell and 2nd rd 2007 draft pick.
A smart move by GM Ferguson should the Leafs make the playoffs. Bell is easily surrendered and replacable.
2 comments:
Hey Robert.
Biron - I'm guessing he was moved to free up salary cap space to land Zubrus. Although, if I were the Sabres I'd rather go on a Cup run with Biron on the bench rather than Conklin. One injury to Miller and the Cup dreams are done. At least Biron would keep them alive.
Many of these deals puzzle me, teams sitting in 7th and 8th place mortaging the future because they think they can win the Cup while Anaheim GM Burke, who has a legitimate shot stands pat. Witness Atlanta's behavior, should they qualify for the post season, and suffer a quick exit, they will be starting from scratch sooner than later, and they have gambled their best prospects by giving themselves such a small window to win. Deadline day really shows which GM's fear for their jobs the most.
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