"Trading Places"


The weather is warming up, the little X has started to appear next to teams in the NHL standings, and the smell of grills a blazing will soon replace the smell of firewood burning. That could mean only one thing, that the NHL playoffs are almost here. The National Hockey Night theme will soon be blaring almost non- stop in my household. But before the “2nd season” we get the fun of watching the crazy trade deadline madness. The deadline was 3 pm yesterday. Here is a run down on winners and the losers in perhaps the biggest trading deadline day in my lifetime.

Winners:
Flyers
The Flyers picked up sniper Tony Amonte, who has produced poorly for the Coyotes this season after signing a big contract. The long time NHL staple has been known to put the puck in the net something the Flyers sorely need. Only a few teams have managed to score less than Philly. Despite Amontes’ disappointing stint in Phoenix he will likely get a new spark playing for a talent stocked team such as the Flyers. He also played with JR with the Blackhawks and Leclair in many USA team games. With someone passing to him, he can easily put the biscuit in the basket.

In order to make room for all the newcomers (including the return of the RUSSIAN TANK) the Flyers shipped off Guillame Lefebvre (who a day later was sent to the penguins) and waivered Todd Wairner who was swiftly picked up by Nashville. Although Wariner played fairly well the team is overstocked ( even more so with Lapointe) with players of his abilities and he was simply the odd man out. So the Flyers basically gave up a potential life time AHLer and some meaningless draft picks for some one who could potentially get the team scoring again.

The Maple Leafs
In what seemed to be an arms race against the likely 1st round foe the Flyers the leafs went out and snatched some playoffs warriors. Granted most of what they picked up will just help them get far this season, but they picked up an impressive cast of players. The addressed their lack of offensive defenseman problem (unlike the Flyers) and picked up the ageless Phil Housley, and solid blue liner Glen Wesley. AT the same, time the picked up the playoff machine Doug Gilmour who was supposed to retire at least twice, but keeps coming back from more. Even though he has lost most his teeth and is certainly in the twilight of his career he could be a thorn in Philly’s side come Mid-April.

The Red Wings
Defenseman Mathieu Schneider ended up in the Motor City after various NHL general managers made a bid for him. Including the Flyers who weren’t going to part with any young talent (for once) to rent an older player.

The Saint Louis Blues
Okay from what I heard about scouting reports Justin Papineau who was sent to the Islanders will be a solid NHL performer one day, but for the Blues the Future is NOW. The team that never won a cup is in their best position to win one in recent memory. Papineau was small price to pay for goaltending insurance from here on out. They picked up Stanley Cup winner Chris Osgood who granted came off a injury plagued season but at the same time could be the missing piece of the Blues puzzle. Certainly an upgrade over the inconstant Johnson with players like Demitra, Weight, Macinnis and Mellanby firing on all cylinders with their eyes on the prize, they could be the dark horse of the west.
In addition they managed to pick up Valrie Bure from the panthers for another prospect, a defensemen this time. Also a couple of boxes of Teddie Grahams were included.

Bruins
They picked up Dan McGillis for a draft pick, if they intend to be in playoffs he could certainly fill the role of one of their 6-man. Especially since they have been hampered by injuries on the blue line all season long. They also picked up Ian Moran from the Penguins for a Cam Neely autographed copy of Dumb and Dumber. However, it was a VHS because the penguins sold their DVD player to the Blackhawks, but Theo Fleury stole it for drug money.

Sens.
They got Rob RAY! They seriously needed some toughness though or someone to open and close the door. ROB RAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time Will Tell -----

Dallas
They nabbed journeyman Stu Barnes put up some numbers in the past, but has fallen off. They gave Buffalo a young prospect and a draft pick. This trade is only as good as how if Barnes makes an immediate impact though. Dallas might be in a rebuilding period sometime soon and could have used what they gave up.

Coyotes:
Jan Hirdina (penguins) and Chris Gratton won’t exactly put fans in the seats of an arena that has seen JR and Amonte peace out recently. These type of players are basically in place for next season to hold down the fort until a 2004 to see what happens. Amonte simply didn’t fit in here though. Although this team does seem to becoming the island of misfit toys they did the best they could given their situation. If exclude that they had to give Amonte away, these separate trades were good moves.

The Flames
They got Dean McCammond back! Basically because the Lanch (they landed Bates Battaglia ) had an over stock over players, and injuries kept the former Flyer out of action a lot this season. McCammond was delighted to be going from the NHL’s elite to an early season of Golf. At least he gets to play along side the CHIEF ! An obvious reference to former Flyer Craig Berube who actually has two less points (6) than the 5 million dollar man in Boston Lapointe(8.)

Losers__


The Oilers:


The Oilers gave away their leading scorer Anston Carter to the Rangers for Cory Cross ( an okay d-man) and the over-rated Dvorak. I wonder what racial slur Beezer made when he heard about this trade!

The Rangers
Granted they got the better end of the Oilers trade, but they are 4 points out of a playoff spot and on the outside looking in. They would need a miracle to get in. Even if they do they wont go far. The Rangers payroll is already insane, and Carter isn’t worth as much as he gets paid. If the NHL puts on a salary cap in 2004 (the damn well better, look for a future post on this one) teams like the Rangers are going to have to dump a large amount of players in the off season or next year. Not to mention the fact half the team should have retired already. Something Mark Messier will never do. They SUCK.

Penguins

Poor Mario had get rid of all his talent, most notably on the day of the deadline Jan Hirdina to the Coyotes. Mario got an enrollment in the jelly of the month club in return. The penguins are hoping and praying to stay together till 2004 a new collective bargining agreement is reached that will benefit small market teams. In the mean time, they have to horde prospects for the future, which they certainly have done. Many of the players may not amount to much but some easily could be gems down the line. I liked the moving of Wayne Primeau to the Shark for Matt Bradley. They could use an up and coming defensive forward.They also managed to pick up Brain Holzinger from Tampa for Marc Bergevin in an actual trade. If anyone is interested, the Penguins are having an Alex Kovlev bobble head night, despite the fact they traded him away weeks ago. That’s pretty sad. On second thought maybe Mario is just hoping the Igloos roof collapses before the collective bargaining agreement is reached.

Vancover

Despite picking up Brad May, who is known for occasionally scoring a big goal (MAY DAY, MAY DAY,MAY DAY) you have to think they wanted some more veteran spice to the recipe of young talent they have. They needed a veteran like Mike Ricci or someone to help these kids out. Too bad they couldn’t afford to keep Andrew Cassels in town..if they did the would certainly have (Italian accent) A SPICEY MEATBALL!

The Islanders

Despite taking one of the best playmaking d-man in the league in Niinimma they may have squandered their chances by prematurely unloading Chris Osgood. Who is going to start in net if they even make the playoffs? Garth Snow? Or are you going to put all that pressure on the goalie of the Future in Rick Diprieto? Why not just wait for Summer to do unload Osgood? Dumb move unless they already have written this season off.

Buffalo
Their trades will benefit them about as much as a College Degree has benefited me so far.

Tucker cause he works horrible hours and will miss most of the post-season action unless the next job he lands has better hours. Other options are multiple VCRs, wiring up TVio, or suicide.