Hockey Trade Deadline Day -- Part Two

All in all, today's trading action was a bit slow compared to previous years. But there were some interesting moves.

For weeks (it seems) there has been a lot of speculation about where Olli Jokinen, the Coyotes somewhat disgruntles star would end up. Most thought Montreal or perhaps Chicago. But in the end Calgary Flames stepped up and swung a multi player deal that included Matthew Lombardi to get the big centerman.



Whether Jokinen will be the big man down the middle is yet to be seen. There is a lot of talk around the league about Olli's nasty disposition especially with young players. Hopefully, the leaders in the Flames dressing room will keep Olli from spreading the doom and gloom that seems to follow him from team to team.

It was trade deadline day and of course that meant a new team for a couple of veterans who have become trade day travelers the past few years.

Bill Guerin was shipped by the Islanders to Pittsburgh where he will bring lots of grit and leadership to a team that is loaded with young talent, but not necessarily a lot of maturity or toughness.



And, of course what would trade deadline day be without Mark Recchi skating to another location. Remember, he went to Carolina on this day a few years back and ended up leading the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup.

This year the Boston Bruins hope that Recchi can repeat his magic with them as they sent two youngsters to the Lightning to get Mark for their post-season run.



Winners and Losers today:

Philadelphia did not get their hands on Jay Bouwmeester and although they did trade Scotty Upshall to clear some cap space, you have to consider them losers today.

Same too for Vancouver and all the other teams that coveted the Florida star defenseman but did not get him.

Winners:

Ottawa, if Pascal LeClaire proves to be the goalie that the franchise so desperately needs.

Pittsburgh and Boston for landing key veterans to help them down the stretch.

Buffalo for doing what was needed to keep Connolly in a Sabres uniform, and for getting Telqvist to fill in for Miller. But in the end, it might be the acquisition of Dominic Moore that will have the most impact, at least this season, his speed and gritty style of play might just help secure a playoff position for the Sabres.

And, Calgary. Leopold is a great addition and if Jokinen does not wreak havoc in the dressing room then the Flames will unquestionably be the big winners today.

Read more...

Trade Deadline Day!

The first trade of the day and the Ottawa Senators trade Antoine Vermette to the Columbus Blue Jackets for goalie Pascal LeClaire.



Winner: Ottawa! Vermette is an average goal scorer but a great penalty killer. But, the Senators got the best penalty killer of all, a good goaltender!

Goaltending always seems to be a problem in Ottawa, but LeClaire just might be the answer!

The second trade of the day brings former Flame defenseman Jordan Leopold back to Calgary for a couple of minor leaguers and a draft pick. This is a great deal to solidify the blue line in Calgary.



Buffalo Sabres were in action early and their most important deal of the day was not a trade but a contract extension to sniper Tim Connolly who would have become a free agent on July 1. The Sabres probably overpaid but not wanting to lose another star to free agency and receive nothing in return Buffalo management signed Connolly to a two year deal worth about $9 million.

Fearing that Patrick Lalime was not the goalie to get them to the playoffs (Ryan Miller is injured and there are questions about his return date) the Sabres sent a 4th round pick to Phoenix for Mikael Telqvist. Later, the Sabres spent another draft pick for Dominic Moore, the feisty center for Toronto.



For the most part the Toronto Maple Leafs were going to be sellers today, trying to unload unrestricted free agents Dominic Moore (see above) and Nik Antropov. Antropov was dispatched to the New York Rangers for a draft pick. But, in a surprise move the Leafs claimed Martin Gerber from Ottawa on waivers. Then the club announced that Toskala would undergo season-ending surgery.



Stay tuned, check out the next post when I will continue coverage of Trade Deadline Day.

Read more...