NHL Trade Deadline Frenzy

Just 3 days after a phenomenal Olympics games, the NHL trade deadline has past, and several teams have solidified their teams. Here's a rundown of the local teams, the smartest teams and the...not so smart teams as the deadline is now in the rear view mirror. Who made themselves better? Who's going to watch teams start passing them by? And most importantly, which NHL team is now poised for a run at Lord Stanley's Cup?

The Locals
New York Rangers (29-27-7) – After making 3 moves before the Olympic break, the Rangers only swapped minor leaguers with the Detroit Red Wings and Phoenix Coyotes in the final 3 days before the deadline. In their moves before the deadline, the Blueshirts acquired tough guy Jody Shelley (from SJS) and grinding forward Brandon Prust (from CGY) to add some needed grit to the team. In the deal for Prust, in which they dealt away offseason additions Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins, the Rangers acquired Finnish scorer Olli Jokinen to give Marian Gaborik some scoring help. However, the Rangers did not manage to free up any cap room at the deadline. Defensemen Wade Redden ($6.5 Million cap hit) and Michal Rozsival ($5 Million cap hit) have managed just 2 goals and 26 points between the two players. Trading either would have been difficult, but Glen Sather always has some magic when it comes to trades.
Notes: In 7 games with the Rangers, Jokinen has 2 goals and 3 assists, while Prust has 2 assists to go along with 34 penalty minutes. The Rangers are tied for 8th in the east.

New York Islanders (26-29-8) – In recent memory, the Islanders have traded for more draft picks than you can count. However, they were relatively quiet at the deadline, only swapping AHL players with Columbus and dealing defenseman Andy Sutton for a second round pick. With the recent injury of Rick DiPietro’s knee, the Islanders were caught in a bad position, not being able to trade one of their two solid goaltenders (Dwayne Roloson or Martin Biron) for needed scoring help due to DiPietro’s condition. The Isles are still in reach of a playoff spot, but made a good decision at the deadline not dealing any of their prospects or rising players.
Notes: DiPietro appeared in 8 games this season before re-injuring himself, going 2-5-0, registering a 2.60 GAA. The Islanders are 5 points out of a playoff spot.

New Jersey Devils (38-21-3) – Making the biggest splash in the NHL so far this year, the Devils made a deal for prolific scorer Ilya Kovalchuk (from ATL) before the Olympic break to help their 21st ranked offense. Kovalchuk brings speed and skill that the fans of New Jersey have not seen in a long time. The deal also brought in (D) Anssi Salmela in exchange for (D) Johnny Oduya, (F) Niclas Bergfors, (F) Patrice Cormier and a 1st round pick. In addition, the Devils traded for (D) Martin Skoula (from TOR), who was dealt from the Penguins to the Leafs just a day ago. With the trade for Kovalchuk and their already great goaltending and defense, the Devils have put themselves in a spot to challenge for the cup.
Notes: Kovalchuk has 2 goals and 5 assists in 7 games with the Devils. The Devils lead the Atlantic divison by 1 point over the Penguins.

The Winner
Washington Capitals (41-13-8) – Any questions about who the favorite in the eastern conference is have been answered. Today, the Capitals made 4 moves, 2 being with the Carolina Hurricanes. With the additions of standout blueliner Joe Corvo (from CAR), for the price of a 2011 2nd rounder, (D) Brian Pothier, and (F) Oskar Osala and the addition of defenseman Milan Jurcina (from CBJ) , the Capitals 18th ranked defense seems to be secured for a Stanley Cup run. In addition, the Capitals added forwards Scott Walker (from CAR) and Eric Belanger (from MIN), to add scoring depth to their already 1st ranked offense, which has scored 33 more goals than any other team in the NHL.
Notes: Jurcina played with the Capitals from 2006-09. The Caps currently lead the NHL in points with 90.

Why’d You Do That?
Carolina Hurricanes (25-30-7) – After a miserable start to the season, the Canes seemed to turn things around. It comes as somewhat of a surprise that just a few years removed from a Stanley Cup win, the Hurricanes have made 7 trades at this deadline, many of which were shipping out solid players for draft picks. The list of players traded include (D) Joe Corvo (to WAS), (D) Niclas Wallin (to SJS), (F) Matt Cullen (to OTT), (D) Aaron Ward (to ANA), (F) Scott Walker (to WAS), (D) Andrew Alberts (to VAN), (F) Stephan Yelle and (F) Harrison Reed (both to COL). That’s four of their top six defensemen being traded, on a team that is only 8 points out of a playoff spot in a wide open eastern conference. The canes did keep aging defenseman Ray Whitney (Age 37), who was expected to be traded. With the cleaning the Hurricanes did this trade deadline, a season with some hope left is now almost surely over.
Notes: After starting the season losing 16 of 18, the Canes are currently on a 6 game winning streak.

This Could Work…
Phoenix Coyotes (37-22-5) – Perhaps the biggest surprise in the NHL this season, the Phoenix Coyotes were buyers at the deadline, making 7 acquisitions.
The biggets trade was obtaining winger Wojtek Wolski, who has 47 points this season, from the Avalanche in exchange for 3rd year player (F) Peter Mueller and former Hobey Baker winner (F) Kevin Porter. The Coyotes also acquired scoring depth by the likes of (F) Lee Stempniak (from TOR) to add to their 25th ranked offense. They also attempted to boost their already stingy defense, backstopped by Russian goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, by receiving veteran defensemen Mathieu Schneider (from VAN, 739 career points) and Derek Morris (from BOS). However, both defensemen come with some risk. Schneider, who is 40 years old, has only played in 17 games this season. Morris, a former first round pick, is on his 3rd team in 2 years and has only managed 3 goals this year with a -2 rating. If Wolski can produce, Schneider can get healthy and Morris can hold up, the Coyotes could be a tough team to meet in the playoffs under new coach Dave Tippett.
Notes: Morris played with the Coyotes from 2004-08. Schneider has not played since December 16. The Coyotes are 5th in the West and have not made the playoffs since 2002.

Where Were You?
Boston Bruins (27-23-11) – With their offense dead last in the NHL in scoring, what did the Bruins do at the deadline? Trade defenseman Derek Morris for a pick and add defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (from FLA), who has 2 goals this season. With injuries hampering them all season, the Bruins needed to add a solid scorer, and they did not add a forward. A season after finishing first in the east, the Bruins are holding on to the 8th spot in the conference with solid defense and goaltending, but have 3 teams within 2 points of them, and did not do much to keep their playoff spot secured.
Notes: The Bruins have averaged 2.33 goals/game this season. Marc Savard (2nd on the team in points for a forward), has played in just 38 games.