TRADECENTRE '09

TradeCentre Wrap-Up

5:03 - All the trades have filtered through the NHL's main offices and so ends another wild Trade Deadline.  The trades typically involved role and depth players, but a couple big time names were moved - they just weren't the ones analysts initially predicted would go.  At the end of the day, every deal will be scrutinized heavily.  Unfortunately, in doing so, we are often presented with more questions than answers.   

Do the Calgary trades elevate them to the same stratosphere, in terms of playoff competitiveness, as San Jose or Detroit?  Conversely, have the Coyotes positioned themselves to be more of a factor next season?  Will the Rangers and Penguins turn their seasons around?  Does Martin Gerber have a future in the National Hockey League?  Will the teams who did nothing (Minnesota, Montreal, Detroit, and Washington) regret their inaction?  Only time will tell.  The excitement is just beginning.

5:01 - The Oilers, like they did when they moved Ryan Smyth out of town a couple seasons ago, got in the mix late and improved their offense significantly.  O'Sullivan and Kotalik are both automatic candidates to fit into their top six, and one of them may see plenty of ice time with Ales Hemsky.

4:38 - As the final pieces of information roll in, I'm still finding it hard to find teams that look better than New Jersey and Detroit.

4:22 - Edmonton has picked-up Ales Kotalik from Buffalo for a 2nd round pick.  

4:16 - Toronto trades Richard Petiot to Tampa Bay for Olaf Kolzig, Jamie Heward, Andy Rogers, and a 4th round draft pick.  Kolzig is hurt... and who are the rest of these people???

4:10 - After being asked about what he received in return for his players traded away today, Brian Burke says, "I'm not doing cart-wheels.  The trainer isn't going to have to tape my wrists, from doing cart-wheels."

A close second for quote of the day goes to Pierre, when he stared straight into the camera and warned Olli Jokinen that he "should not have to worry about being Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."  What?

4:08 - Colombus acquired Kevin Lalande, presumably to replace Pascal Leclaire, from Calgary for a 4th round pick.

4:07 - Brian Burke spoke eloquently about having to move Antropov out of Toronto after ten years in the organization. 

4:03 - I'm very surprised no Gaborik talk emerged in the hours leading up to the deadline.

3:57 - Jay Onrait has a great selection of robes.

3:51 - Los Angeles has traded Patrick O'Sullivan and a 2nd round pick to Carolina for Justin Williams.  Carolina then traded O'Sullivan and a second round pick to Edmonton for Erik Cole and a 5th round pick.  Three-way action!

3:49 - Ottawa really needed to address their offense today, but couldn't act on anything because they have too much money tied up, long-term in over-rated role players, like Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly.

3:43 - Anaheim has traded Kent Huskins and Travis Moen to state rival San Jose for Tim Pihlmeye, Nick Bonino and a conditional draft pick.  Two thirds of a line I predicted would be wholly available have now been shipped out of Disneyland.

3:42 - More trades to come...

3:36 - Anaheim has traded Sami Pahlsson to Chicago for James Wisniewski and a third round pick.  HUGE pick-up for Chicago.  They have a legitimate shorthanded hero to go head-to-head with the best players on the team(s) they face in the playoffs.

3:36 - San Jose has traded Kyle McLaren to PHI for a 6th round pick.  McLaren hasn't played an NHL game this season.  Philadelphia has dropped the ball big time so far today.  They're not going to fall off the map, but they haven't done anything to improve their odds at winning the Cup.  They seem to have taken a small step backwards.

3:32 - The panel is ripping into Tampa Bay and their management team for their off-season transactions.

3:29 - Tampa Bay has traded Steve Eminger to Florida for Noah Welch and a 3rd round pick.  I hope Eminger has durable suitcases.

3:28 - Nik Antropov had all the right answers in his post-trade interview with TSN.

3:21 - Word from Pierre is that Detroit is trying really hard to get Marian Hossa re-signed, after which, they'll move on to locking up Johan Franzen.

3:20 - Heads will roll, ok maybe head (that of Glen Sather), if what the Rangers did today doesn't bring them into the playoffs.

3:16 - The Pony Express is staying put in Toronto.

3:09 - Anaheim has acquired Erik Christensen from Atlanta for prospect Eric O'Dell.

3:05 - Dominic Moore has been traded to Buffalo for a 2nd round pick.  What the heck is Buffalo going to do with Moore?

3:01 - Keep in mind trades can filter through for up to two more hours.  I truly believe a deal for Dominic Moore has been completed.

3:00 - The Rangers have acquired Derek Morris from Phoenix in exchange for Nigel Dawes, impending UFA Dimitri Kalinin, and the under-rated Peter Prucha.  Way to kill my buzz Mr. Sather.  Phoenix is a huge winner today.

2:58 - With time running out, I still believe the Washington Capitals are about to swing a deal, given GM George McPhee's history of making fantastic deadline trades.

2:56 - I keep hearing the quote, "Jay Bouwmeester is still out there."  To which I respond, "So is Ovechkin."

2:55 - According to Sportsnet, Chris Neil will not be traded.

2:53 - Pierre - "Does anybody even know if the Minnesota Wild still exist!?"

2:47 - My Maple Leafs have traded my boy Nik Antropov to my team, the New York Rangers! New York gives up a 2nd round pick and a conditional draft pick.  Ship it.  John Tortorella must have had a hand in this.  Two weeks ago, before he was the coach of the Blueshirts, Tortorella was emphatic about how important he thought Antropov could be for a team that acquired him down the stretch.  Great pick-up by New York, I'm biased given that they're my favorite team and they've acquired one of my favorite players.  I do still hope Antropov will be back in Toronto next year.

2:44 - Daniel Carcillo has been traded to Philadelphia for Scottie Upshall and a 2nd round pick.  Has Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren lost his marbles?

2:43 - Rumor has it that Antropov is on his way to Nashville.

2:40 - Bob Mackenzie is reporting that it is possible Jay Bouwmeester won't be traded. Really? Wow Bob.

2:37 - Sportsnet is reporting that Florida and Vancouver are close on a Bouwmeester deal.

2:33 - Earth to Bob Gainey... it's Trade Deadline Day...

2:28 - If there's one thing we've learned today, it's that Darryl Sutter is a terrible liar.  On Friday he denied needing to acquire a top two centre and a defenceman.  He did both today.

2:27 - The Predators, who haven't been active at all today, should be getting in the mix soon.  They have 12 picks in this year's draft.  That's a lot.  They will move one of two to bring in someone who can help them hold onto that last playoff spot.

2:19 - In the words of the great Cliff Fletcher, draft-schmaft.  I think teams are being a little too stingy in terms of using draft picks to acquire players that can help them win a round or two in the playoffs.  There are big names to be had for the right price.

2:16 - Pierre and I don't quite see eye-to-eye on Radek Bonk.  If Radek Bonk had a fan club, I'd be the president.  He doesn't.  Maybe that has something to do with Pierre.

2:15 - John Tortorella and Sean Avery were together on the ice today for the first time.  I can't wait to see tomorrow night's game on Long Island.

2:08 - Chris Neil apparently wanted a five year deal worth over $10 million.  He must be high on Afinogenov.

2:01 - Joe Slavec on Bill Guerin - "I wouldn't trade for Bill Guerin if the asking price was my old copy of Bruce Welling's classic, Property in Things."  Well put Joe.

2:00 - Keith Jones does a complete 180 and suggests teams should fear playing Pittsburgh in the first round (he had previously said they wouldn't make the playoffs).  I say he's nuts.  If they make it, they'll be playing Boston, New Jersey, or Washington.  Only God can save them.  Or Jaromir Jagr, but that's not happening.

1:57 - Bill Guerin has been traded to the Penguins for a conditional draft pick. Depending on whether or not Pittsburgh makes the playoffs, and if they do, how far they get, the pick could be anywhere from the 3rd to 5th round.  Pittsburgh better hope this turns out better than it did for the Sharks two years ago.  I still think they need someone better to insulate Crosby.  The Malkin/Sykora combo is fine, but there's a missing link next to Sidney.

1:56 - Not much going on in Edmonton right now, but they need to react to Calgary's moves in order to stay competitive in the west.

1:47 - Time is running out for Montreal to address their needs at centre.

1:42 - When did Marck Recchi get those 45 points he has? I know he plays in the state of Florida, but this can't be a computer tallying error... can it?

1:35 - SI's Michael Farber - "On the whole, I think Martin Gerber will be better than Curtis Joseph."  Thanks for pointing out something so obvious I couldn't notice it on my own.  You're a real benefit to have.  (Thank you Vince Vaughn).

1:33 - F.Y.I. TSN, Matt Lashoff plays defense.

1:32 - Look for Phoenix to acquire a goalie in the next hour or so.

1:31 - What's going on with Bill Guerin?!  Someone help me out!

1:30 - Just wanted to say hi to all my friend in Ethics.  I'll gladly keep you up to date while you suffer through Professor Graham's lame attempt at stand-up comedy.

1:25 - Gerry Dee is way too funny to keep doing terrible commercials for Toyota and Rogers.

1:25 - The LA Kings have signed Erik Ersberg to a 2-year contract extension. Financial terms undisclosed, I'll keep you posted.

1:24 - Mark Recchi has been traded to the Boston Bruins, along with a 2nd round pick for Matt Lashoff and Martin Karsums.  Will this deal work out for Boston the way acquiring Recchi at the deadline did for Carolina in 2006?

1:17 - How many of these GM's and coaches who were fired have actually been in a dressing room with Olli jokinen?  Just a thought...

1:12 - Who the heck are the 'Coytoes?'

1:07 - No offence to Gord Miller, but his math IS off.  Calgary may be over the cap now, but it is factually impossible for them to be $2 million over after acquiring Leopold and Jokinen and unloading Lombardi and Prust.

1:00 - How annoying is Dave from Speedy Glass?  And seriously, when I get my windshield fixed, I don't think I'd be comfortable testing the quality of the corrective procedure by tapping the glass with my index finger.

12:55 - As I suggested earlier, Toskala will be out for the rest of the season so he can have surgery and have adequate time to re-coup. 

12:48 - The Maple Leafs have claimed Eric Reitz off waivers from the Rangers.  His girlfriend will be pleased, she's from just north of Toronto.  PS - Nicole obviously provided me with this info. before any network did.  Good job.  

12:45 - The Jokinen deal should get the snowball rolling downhill.  Stay tuned.

12:39 - Jokinen trade to Calgary confirmed.  He goes, along with a 3rd round pick while Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Prust, and a 1st round draft pick go the other way.  Pierre describes it as a "home-run" for Calgary.  I agree.  Especially since I have Jokinen in Fantasy.

This turns Calgary from a pretender to a contender in my opinion.  Jokinen will be firing on all cylinders in the playoffs.  No one will be more excited to be playing come late April.

12:38 - Anaheim has traded Steve Montador to Boston for grinder Petteri Nokelainen.  Good for both sides.

12:36 - Miroslav Satan and Gary Roberts, among others, have cleared waivers.  That's not to say that they won't be traded between now and the deadline.

12:33 - TSN is reporting that Jokinen has been moved to Calgary for Lombardi, a 1st round pick, and then some.

12:29 - Dallas has claimed Brendan Morrison off waivers from Anaheim.

12:19 - Montreal has re-called Marc Denis from Hamilton, indicating that Jaroslav Halak's flu condition is worse than originally thought.  Let's just hope it isn't Timonen-esque.

12:17 - Pittsburgh claims Craig Adams off waivers from Chicago.

12:10 - Darren Pang (who knows Tellqvist better than anyone, given his position with the Coyotes) and Pierre are absolutely slurping up his acquisition by the Sabres.  

12:05 - The Maple Leafs have claimed Martin Gerber off waivers.  This is a very astute move by Brian Burke.  Martin Gerber has got a bad rap for no good reason.  It will serve as a way to give Toskala a rest and a chance to get healthy.  Gerber is a Stanley Cup champion and consummate professional.  I hope this re-elevates his value for the free agency period.

12:04 - Buffalo has acquired Mikael Tellqvist from Phoenix for a 4th round draft pick.  Terrific insurance policy for the Sabres while Miller is out.

12:00 - Ordering the pizza now.  Give me 5.

11:57 - I'm starting to wonder about what Minnesota has up their sleeve.  They're on the cusp of a playoff spot, have adequate cap space, and several games in hand on the teams they are chasing.  With Backstrom locked up, they need to acquire some offense.

11:48 - If you don't have a VISA already, you will after you see their new commercial, narrated with perfect pitch, tone, and resolve, by none other than Morgan Freeman.

11:45 - Pierre: "If you're looking for instant offense Michael Nylander's a guy that can give it to you and you don't have to marry him for a long time."  Well-said Pierre, well-said.  They don't call him the Swedish Wayne Gretzky for nothing.

11:42 - How many times are the TSN panel members going to use the word "tween" and any of its derivatives? 

11:40 - Pittsburgh has acquired Andy Wozniewski from the St. Louis Blue for Danny Richmond.

11:39 - Jordan Leopold is a Calgary Flame once again (as I predicted last night, Eklund did not).  Acquired from Colorado for the recently waived Lawrence Nycholat, a 2nd round pick, and Ryan Wilson. 

11:26 - Olli Jokinen talk heating up.  Waiting for more info.  If he is in fact going to Calgary, I would expect Lombardi, another young player, and a high draft pick to be involved.

11:25 - If you're not into my blog, try Jay Onrait's.  Here's a sample... "I think you could package the Gino Reda mug for O'Toole and make the trade for Brian Austin Green."  Throw in Ian Ziering and I'll consider it.

11:21 - The UWO community has approved my endorsement of Ms. Orlesky.  I hope it's Ms.

11:19 - Lots of talk about Montreal acquiring a centre to replace Robert Lang.  

11:04 - I'm not a marketing major, but apparently the people who write and direct Tim Hortons' commercials weren't either...

11:00 - Dave Hodge looks bored.  No fear Dave, once noon hits the trades will roll in.

10:47 - Tim Connolly has signed a contract extension with Buffalo.  2-years, $9 million.  Way too much money for a guy who's hurt half of the time.  I like his skill, but they should've kept him until season's end and used free agency to move in a different direction.

10:46 - I'll assign it just a 2% chance of happening, but wouldn't it be nice if Jokinen was moved back to Florida?  He could finish what he started there, and finally get into the playoffs.  He's set a record for regular season games played without playing a playoff game.

10:42 - I Love You, Man trailer... looks funny enough.  I like Paul Rudd.

10:39 - James Duthie just outsmarted Pierre in regards to Brian Burke's overall effectiveness.  I like it.

10:33 - Brian Burke confirms both Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore will be traded.

10:29 - Discussions about the Montreal Canadiens and their surplus of pending UFA's has sparked interesting debate about how much Mike Komisarek is worth.  We figure he should sign for Volchenkov-esque money.  They offer about the same things to their respective teams.

10:21 - Sara Orlesky is hot.

10:20 - The Kings have extended Sean O'Donnell's contract for another season.  $1.7 million.

10:15 - Pierre refers to Derek Morris as "over-rated."  We agree here at headquarters.

10:14 - This just in, Tim Connolly left HSBC arena to take a nap.

10:06 - It would seem as though Alex Auld will now be moved today, as the Senators are now carrying four capable goalies.

9:56 - Ottawa has traded Antoine Vermette to Colombus for Pascal Leclaire and a 2nd-round draft pick.  From the Jackets' perspective, this is a decent trade, considering Steve Mason's emergence has pretty much negated any need to hang onto the over-paid Leclaire and the fact that they have a surplus of picks this year.  For Ottawa, its some insurance while my good friend Brian Elliott develops into a number one goalie.

9:52 - Filip Kuba has signed a contract extension with the Senators.  3-yr. $3.7 per year.  Great deal for Ottawa.

9:47 - Breakfast is ready.  Thanks Kate! And Mark, and Jesse.  You too Zach.  Oh yah, Zach is here too.

9:46 - I'm the first to criticize a commercial when its bad, and they usually are (Tim Hortons especially).  So I'll gladly give some dap to one that is great.  Thumbs up to McDonald's for bringing a new mini character to the small screen.  Sergei Puckasin.  I'm lovin' it...

9:41 - They've just checked in with Bob, nothing to report.  Awesome.

9:40 - Apparently, Connolly is working on an extension in Buffalo.

9:28 - Talk of Antropov to Vancouver heats up.

9:12 - Mark and I argue about the value of Max Afinogenov.

Nick - "Afinogenov can help Edmonton the way Samsonov did when they went out and got him."

Mark - "No way.  You're just high on Afinogenov."

Nick - "Whatever, I'll smoke that Afinogenov s*** and be high on him all day until he gets moved."

9:09 - TSN releases their list of the top "players in play".  Seven of their top ten were on my list, produced last night.  See blog below.

9:02 - If you're looking for checking forwards, contact Anaheim and inquire about the pieces (Pahlsson, Moen, R. Niedermayer) of what was once the league's best checking unit.  They're all available.

9:01 - St. Louis! You're in the mix, hang on to Tkachuk!  By the way, Darren Dreger just referred to the Blues (an adult men's professional hockey team) as "Tweenies."  I know what he meant, but it just sounded funny.

8:58 - How annoying is the ad running right now for traveling to Australia?  If you don't recognize the voice in the background, its the kid from the equally annoying movie, Australia.  Maybe that's why I hate it so much; I was one of the eleven people who actually saw the movie, which was terrible.

8:55 - Head-to-head battles, as proposed by James Duthie.  A mini version of The Quiz, if you will.  Who would you rather have?

Jokinen or Smyth?  Jokinen, without question.

Guerin or Recchi?  Recchi, every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Tellqvist or Clemmensen?  You're good either way.

Kuba or Leopold?  Probably equally ineffective.  Try and pry Lydman out of Buffalo instead.

8:51 - I'm sorry I don't have a live video feed like Onrait.  He's the man.  And is employed by a major television network.  I volunteered for them once though, nice people.

8:45 - On the goalie front, I'm starting to think the Flyers might be interested in Khabibulan.  Tellqvist is an appealing option for teams in need of a back-up.

8:41 - I just set up a Trade Tracker on the right side of the main page.  You'll see it appear once a trade is made.

8:36 - Boston and Detroit are TSN's consensus picks to battle for the cup in June, pre-TradeCentre.

8:32 - TSN reported, while we were all asleep, that Chris Pronger will not be moved.  No kidding.  Remember where you heard it first (here... see below).