NHL Trade Deadline

[Wulfran]

I kinda look at it that things started off early this year, with the Flames grabbing Stuart a couple weeks ago and then Forsberg going to the Preds a couple days later. Overall I found the whole thing surprising, in the teams making moves, the stature of the players being moved and prices being paid: the prospects and picks teams were willing to shell out for a player that they'll have on the roster 6-8 weeks before becoming free agents boggles my mind. I have to agree with a lot of the analysts that NHL will need to look at instituting some kind of rule about trading guys at the deadline and bringing em back as UFAs in the offseason (like Recchi and Weight in the past year): it just feels wrong and there are a number of players who could do the same thing this year.

IMO Winners are Detroit, San Jose, Philedelphia and St Louis (only the Wings and Sharks are contenders in this grp but the Blues and Flyers added a lot of hope for their futures). Losers are the guys who traded with the winners, Edmonton and Phoenix (for giving up and holding firesales) and Toronto (for doing nothing to aid the most publicized franchise in Canada in its struggle to rise above mediocrity).

Looking at the "major deals":

Stuart and Primeau from Boston to Calgary for Ferrence and Kobasew - makes the Flames better and cements the playoff spot but I don't think it makes them a real contender.

Forsberg from Philly to Nashville for Upshall, and some high picks and prospects - sure it makes the Predators better but if the Preds fall flat in the first round then its all for naught... and the rumour mill says he wants to go back to Philly in the off season as a UFA...

Tkachuk from St Louis to Atlanta for an obscene number of picks - wtf were the Thrashers thinking? This isn't 25 yr old 50 goal Tkachuk, this is the 34 yr old, lucky to get 25 goal version, who is also a free agent in a couple months.

Rivet to San Jose from Montreal - a good pick up for a contender and they were in the "give something to get something" area, but it makes them a better club.

Guerin to San Jose - a nice rental (Guerin is another UFA come July 1) but they paid a high price

Bertuzzi to Detroit from Florida - nice pick up for Detroit, done smart (conditional picks) but the wild card is can he be the "old Bert" who punished opposing players and had a nice touch around the net?

Smith from Edmonton to the New York Islanders to 2 prospects and a 1st rd pick- Another rental and I don't get it. It makes the Isles better (and gives them a good shot at a playoff spot) but it doesn't make them a contender. Also costs the Oilers in terms of fan credibility for giving up the face of the franchise and giving up on the season, right after last year's run to the finals.

[miir]

The two biggest deals in my opinion were the Penguins picking up Laracque and Roberts.