Tuesday, February 28, 2012

NHL Trading Deadline Didn't Bring The Big Deal

Monday afternoon came and went without the rumor of a Rick Nash trade coming true.  The only set deal that has been leaked for Nash was the Rangers one.  The Rangers were going to send Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, a 21-year old defensemen, 2011 1st Rounder T.J. Miller, 2010 2nd Round Pick Christian Thomas and a 2012 1st Round Pick for Nash.  So a young player on the NHL roster, 3 picks that may or may not become productive players and another pick.  Scott Howson did the right move in not trading Nash for that.  

Jeff Carter moving to the Kings was a win-win trade for both teams.  The Kings get Carter who was not happy in Columbus and is still a real good player.  The Blue Jackets got Jack Johnson an offensive defenseman which might help with the Columbus anemic offense.   Vancouver might have been the biggest winners for the teams trading on the day of the deadline obtaining Zach Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani from the Buffalo Sabres.  The Sabres did get C Cody Hodgson who is having a breakout year for the Canucks, but won't see the Top 6 forward spots in Vancouver.  Kassian brings toughness to a roster that needs it.  Gragnani will produce offense from the blueline which fits into the way Vancouver plays.  

In my opinion, the big winner in the trades this year are the Minnesota Wild and the haul that they received from the New Jersey Devils.  Minnesota traded Marek Zidlicky for a 2012 2nd Round Pick, a conditional 3rd Round pick in 2013, D Kurtis Foster, F Nick Palmieri, and F Stephane Veilleux.  Who knew that Zidlicky was close to the value of Rick Nash?  

The thing about this year is that most teams that are out of the playoffs if the season ended today didn't trade away their best players in fire sales this year.  The Hurricanes, Lightning, Capitals, Canadiens, and Wild among others besides the Blue Jackets still believe that they can get hot and get into the playoffs.  The are probably fooling themselves, but that is their position.  I do have a feeling that free agency will be wild this summer. 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

My Leafs gave up and started building toward the future. It's nice they got something for Aulie but I prayed they could get out from under Komisarek's, Connolly's or Armstrong's contracts.

Zebster said...

Yeah, the less big names traded now means a more hectic off season. And I agree with your take on who did well, though it must've still been difficult to trade Hodgson. I can't think of another team in the league that would feel he was expendable.