NHL TRADE DAY DIARY

March 2, 2010 5:14pm CST

Here are my thoughts on the NHL Trade Deadline.

If you are new to this process, here is what happens. I will sit here and, hour after hour, report on every deal that comes down the pipe, as well as the big time rumors as they occur. I might go blind staring at the screen, but I won't rest until every deal has been reported on and discussed, and if that means I miss my Tai Chi class, then so be it.

I started the trade deadline season on Monday when I wrote Crashing the Net: Who Might Be Dealt?


Coyotes Receive: Mathieu Schneider
Canucks Receive: Sean Zimmerman and a conditional 6th round pick
Schneider is a 40 year old power-play specialist who has played in 21 NHL seasons (the Coyotes will be his 10th team). Schneider had five points with the Canucks this season and has spent some time in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose as well.

Zimmerman is a minor league defender who hasn't yet appeared in an NHL game after being selected with the 170th pick in 2005. Nothing in his statistical line stands out in any way.

VERDICT: Schneider has 223 goals and 739 points in nearly 1,300 NHL games as one of the most productive blue liners in league history. At this point of his career he really offers little except on the power-play, so it might be difficult for him to crack the Coyotes lineup (as it was when he was with the Canucks). Schneider doesn't have any fantasy value unless one of the Coyotes current blue liners goes down with an injury, and even then the upside is next to nothing.


Ducks Receive: Joey MacDonald
Leafs Receive: 2011 7th round draft pick
How many trades can a team make in net? First, Vesa Toskala was sent to the Ducks for Curtis McElhinney (you can read about both moves below). Second, they sent Justin Pogge to Carolina for Aaron Ward (you can read about that one below too). Third is this move, the one to bring in Joey MacDonald into the fold. Joey D. has appeared in five games with the Leafs this year with less than inspiring results (3.20 GAA, .892 SV%).

VERDICT: MacDonald won't see any game action with Hiller and Toskala the current 1-2 option. He is only an organizational depth option for the Ducks.


Coyotes Receive: Lee Stempniak
Leafs Receive: Matt Jones, 4th and 7th round picks
"His agent said he wants a four-year contract extension, and I'm not interested in that," GM Brian Burke of the Leafs said in reference to Stempniak. "He thinks he can get a four-year deal somewhere, and my guess is, he probably will -- but I'm not giving him a four-year deal." That's pretty straightforward is it not? Stempniak scored 27 times with 25 assists back in 2006, but since then he hasn't been able to find the scoring touch. Last season he recorded 14 goals and 30 helpers with a (-12) mark in a season split with the Blues and the Leafs, and this season in his first full season with the Maple Leaf on his sweater he has yet again struggled (14g, 16a, -10). If someone is willing to go four years on production like that, more power to you Lee.

Matt Jones, a defender who was taken 80th overall in 2002, has appeared in just 106 games in his NHL career. During that frightful exposure to the big leagues, he has a mere 11 points while posting a putrid (-27). With only 63 PIMs and not a single point with the man advantage, not to mention no NHL games since the 2007-08 season (he has been suffering from post concussion syndrome), Jones is a very underwhelming option.

VERDICT: The team in the desert may present Stempniak a shot at some significant playing time in ideal situations. Even if that isn't the case he leaves the pressure of Toronto for the relaxed atmosphere in Phoenix, not to mention that he'll now be suiting up for a team that actually wins games. He could see a slight uptick in production, but shouldn't be counted on to emerge as a scoring ace.


*** Here is the latest on the Leafs and Tomas Kaberle. Apparently he presented the club with three teams that he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to be moved to. A deal to Toronto GM Brian Burke's liking with one of those three clubs, however, just wasn't in the cards. "There wasn't a deal to be made, and that was the end of it," Burke said. "We were truthful. We never got a list, but we did explore three avenues that the player's agent asked us to explore as recently as this morning."


Capitals Receive: Milan Jurcina
Blue Jackets Receive: 6th round draft pick
This is a very odd situation. Jurcina appeared in 27 games with the Capitals before being shipped to the Blue Jackets. Jurcina then suited up for 17 games with the team from Columbus. Today, Jurcina finds himself sent back to his original club, the Caps. Set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, Jurcina just returned from playing in the Olympics with Slovakia. (he had zero points in seven games).

VERDICT: You can go home again. This move doesn't change Milan's fantasy value at all. In 319 career games Jurcina has 15 goals, 53 points, is a +10 and has 220 PIMs. If the first three numbers were from one season then we would be in business, but given that those totals have come in roughly four full seasons, well, forgive me if I yawn.


Kings Receive: Fredrik Modin
Blue Jackets Receive: Future Considerations
Modin will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year which is as much as we can say about this deal since "Future Considerations" contract situation is even more uncertain (wink, wink). Modin is a Swedish Olympian whose scoring days are well in the past (his last 20-goal season was 2006), though the problem in recent seasons with Fredrik is that he can no longer stay healthy. In the past two years he appeared in 23 and 50 games, and this season he has seen action in only 24 contests. Add that all up and he has been on the ice for 97 games the past two plus seasons, and in that time he has scored 17 goals.

VERDICT: If healthy Modin is a fine addition who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, but even if he were to skate with Anze Kopitar he would likely have trouble scoring at this point of his career. Don't be swayed by the name - his game has been MIA for years.


*** A record was set this year for most trade deadline deals (30) and players dealt (52). Amazing so many players could switch sweaters with hardly an impressive name in the bunch.


Hurricanes Receive: Cedric LaLonde, McNicoll a 6th round draft pick
Avalanche Receive: Stephane Yelle and Harrison Reed
OK, I'm going blind typing things on this end, so I'm just going to turn it over to our able Hurricanes blogger to break down this deal at Stehpane Yelle Returns to Where it All Began.


Flames Receive: Steve Staios
Oilers Receive: Aaron Johnson and a 3rd round pick
James Duplacey gives his thoughts on this deal at Flames Tinker by Adding Toskala, Staios. Obviously based on the title he also comments on the separate deal that brought Vesa Toskala up north. This is the only trade deadline deal ever done between the Oilers and the Flames if memory serves me.


*** In case you missed it with everything that has gone on today, let me break it down for you - the Phoenix Coyotes really did some good things hopefully solidifying their place as a Western Conference playoff contender. For more on their deals here is a link to In a Shocker, the Big Trade Deadline Winners Are ---.


Canucks Receive: Andrew Alberts
Hurricanes Receive: 3rd round pick in 2011
Another one of those minor deals of the day. We're still covering it with great interest though, so click on the link to
Andrew Alberts Moving to Vancouver for the summary.


Thrashers Receive: Clarke MacArthur
Sabres Receive: 3rd and 4th round draft picks
A late round fantasy favorite of mine this year, MacArthur has been disappointing with 13 goals, 13 assists and a terrible (-14) mark with the Sabre. This effort is all the more disappointing given that he scored six goals in his first 18 games.

VERDICT: He will certainly benefit from a fresh start. There is a chance he could see some time on a scoring line, but he needs to prove himself worthy of fantasy employment before you should add him to your roster.


Kings Receive: Jeff Halpern
Lightning Receive: Teddy Purcell, 3rd round pick
Halpern began his career with the Caps, then moved on to the Stars, and has spent the past two plus year skating with the Bolts. Over the past two season the center has 16 goals and 17 assists in 107 games, and because of the struggles that have faced the Lightning he is also a horrid (-27). He really isn't an awful two-way player, though a look at the numbers would tell you otherwise.

Purcell is a right handed shot who has had some success, but he has also been invisible for long periods of time this season. Given a shot to skate on the top-2 lines in Los Angeles he failed miserably, and through 41 games this season he has three goals and three assists which gives him a total of eight goals and 17 assists in 91 career games. You can hope that the light will go on with this potentially offensive minded forward, but goodness gracious has he been dreadful at times.

VERDICT: Halpern is a veteran leader of over 700 NHL games, but his fantasy upside is nil. He is a great clubhouse presence and a fine real world addition for a team looking to prove they belong on Los Angeles, but he has nothing to offer from a numbers perspective. Purcell clearly has more upside on the offensive side of the ice, though his up and down struggles have been so pronounced that there is simply no way that I could possibly recommend picking him up at this point. Watch him though - perhaps the move will shake him up a bit and get that offensive train rolling again.


*** Twenty-six deals have been verified thus far containing 44 players.


Capitals Receive: Joe Corvo
Hurricanes Receive: Oskar Osala, Brian Potheir
Corvo is a puck moving defensemen who figures to take up the point on one of the two power-play units. Whether he teams with Mike Green for a dynamic duo on the first unit, or whether he takes up residence on the second, this move increases Corvo's fantasy value exponentially - that's what happens when you join the team with the most explosive offense in the game. For more on the deal go to Joe Corvo Also Moved to Washington.


Oilers Receive: Lubomir Visnovksy
Ducks Receive: Ryan Whitney and a 6th round pick
Visnovksy, fresh off being reprimanded for failing a drug test at the Olympics because of medicine he took for a cold, will take his offensively geared game to the Ducks to fill an offensive role on the blue line - something Whitney was never able to do. Visnovksy is a one-time scoring force who had 67 points in 2005 and 58 points in 2006. He has seen his production dwindle the past two years, down to 41 and 31 points, though his performance last season came in a mere 50 games. In 107 games with the Oilers he recorded 18 goals, handed out 45 assists and ran the power-play with aplomb which has been a lifelong talent. He should fill much the same roll with the Ducks and be a wonderful pairing on the point on the power-play with Scott Niedermayer if that is how the team chooses to employ them. Even if Lube skates with the second power-play unit, Anaheim has a lot of talent with their top-6 forwards so he'll have men to pass the puck to. He's also due $14 million the next three years.

As mentioned, Whitney was never able to find his stride in Anaheim. In his second season in the league (2006) - yes he is still fairly young (27) - Whitney scored 14 goals and recorded 59 points for the Penguins, and many thought he would continue along those lines for the next decade. It hasn't happened. Ever since injuring his foot a few years back his offensive game has resulted in less and less production. He has rebounded a bit this year with 28 points in 62 games with the Ducks, but that is still a far cry from what the Ducks felt they were getting when they made the move to acquire Whitney in 2009. Perhaps the move to Edmonton will take the pressure off him, allow him to work with some of the best ice in the league, and return him to being the point scoring force he was once upon a time.

VERDICT: Short-term, this is a great move for the Ducks. Visnovksy still has plenty of juice left and could easily help to give a boost to a Ducks' power-play that is already sixth in the league with a 20.0 percent conversion rate. As they say, the rich get richer. Whitney isn't likely to see an increase in his production --- who will he have to pass the puck to in Edmonton?


Carlos Figueiredo has been following all the trade deadline moves on his blog. You can read his thoughts at NHL Trade Deadline Blog.


COMPLETED DEALS

There were already a couple of blockbuster deals that went down before today. Here are some links.

Ilya Kovalchuk to Devils.

Olli Jokinen to Rangers.

Leafs Acquire Phaneuf and Giguere.


*** The Boston Bruins apparently didn't do anything of major consequence at the deadline. To read more about their minor moves give Cody Smith's piece Bsuiness As Usual a read.


*** Surprisingly, Dan Hamhuis will not be moved. He was thought to be one of those blue liners who could be on the move, but the Predators didn't hear anything they liked as far as the offers went, so he'll stay put in Nashville.


*** Sheldon Souray reportedly having complications with his hand injury. He is suffering from an infection that has resulted in hospitalization. There is a belief that he might not be able to return to the ice this season, though this is just a rumor at this point. Obviously this news makes it a near impossibility that we will see a last minute deal for his services.


*** Ray Whitney appears almost certain to remain in Carolina. We are 10 minutes from the trade deadline right now, but there are almost always a ton of deal announced after the deadline. I'm still hopeful something big could happen, though it will have to come out of nowhere.


Sabres Receive: Raffi Torres
Blue Jackets Receive: Nathan Paetsch and 2nd round draft pick
Torres is a pest. He is one of those guys who you simply hate --- unless he is on your squad. When the games get tough Torres raises his level of play to an even higher level with makes him an ideal playoff performer. What sets him apart from other "pests" is that he possesses a modicum of offensive skill. In fact, he actually has nice hands and he has already scored 19 goals this season leaving him one short of a third 20-goal season. He should add a nice boost to the Sabres with his combination of offensive talent and feistiness.

Paetch might best be described as a 7th NHL defensemen. He has appeared in just 11 games with the Sabres this year, this on the heels of a 23 game effort last season. He did appear in 63 games in 2006 when he recorded 24 points and a +10, but he has only posted 17 points with a +8 over the past three years (83 games).

VERDICT: The Sabres certainly improve their squad with this move. As for the fantasy outlook of Torres, it's about the same as it has been meaning that he really is only of value if you play in a very deep pool with something like 15 or more clubs.

To read our blogger's thoughts on this deal, as well as the one that sent Clarke MacArthur to the Thrashers, click on the link to The Fallout: Torres In, Mac Out.


Ducks Receive: Curtis McElhinney
Flames Receive: Vesa Toskala

McElhinney has never really gotten a shot since being taken in the 6th round by the Flames in 2002. This isn't a shock given that the organization has one of the top goalies in the game in Miikka Kiprusoff, a workhorse who plays almost every contest (he has appeared in at least 74 games in each of the past four years). As such, Curtis has appeared in a mere 29 games the past three years while making only 14 starts (he owns career numbers of 4-12-1 with a .889 save percentage).

Toskala will be reunited with his old Sharks teammate Kiprusoff. Toskala will only play if Kipper is hurt or for some reason needs a break, and neither is likely to occur. Vesa doesn't want to be a backup, but perhaps working with his former teammate and fellow countryman will make that a more palatable position. Face it Vesa, you have played terribly since the start of last season and you don't deserve to be a starter in the NHL at this point (29-29-14 with a .886 save percentage in those 79 appearances since the start of 2008).

VERDICT: The Ducks moved Justin Pogge earlier in the day, so this is their way of adding organizational depth in net. Jonas Hiller will play every game he can for the Ducks the rest of the way, so don't worry at all about this move if you are a Hiller owner. As for Toskala, he'll likely only have a couple of starts the rest of the way to re-establish his value heading into the offseason when he will be a free agent. It's a good depth move for the Flames who would be sunk if something happened to Kiprusoff, but it doesn't change the value of Kipper one iota - he will play until his legs fall off as the Flames try to make the playoffs.


*** The only deal of note has been the one between the Avalanche and the Coyotes listed below (Porter, Mueller, Wolski). All that have been moved today are grinders and depth players. They have no upside at all and don't warrant a second thought in the fantasy game, but that doesn't mean these guys aren't going to be important contributors for teams in the playoffs. We're down to an hour to the deadline.


*** The salary cap is really causing some teams fits. Clubs like the Flyers would love to add pieces, but they will have to shed salary in order to do that, which makes any deal, even a minor one, somewhat difficult. The Flyers definitely could use help in net with Ray Emery out for the year, and if they aren't able to make a move for someone like Tomas Vokoun they will have to lean on Michael Leighton in net. Does that fill anyone's heads with dreams of a Stanley Cup?


Capitals Receive: Eric Belanger
Wild Receive: 2nd round pick
Belanger has never been able to shake the tag of being a solid third line center, not that there is anything wrong with that of course. Belanger has 13 goals and 22 helpers this season, this after scoring 13 goals each of the past two years (he also had 24 and 23 assists the past two years). Moreover, Belanger has recorded at least 35 points in 5-straight years without ever once reaching 40 points, so he is consistent in his point producing mediocrity.

VERDICT: The Capitals add another gritty forward in Belanger who will team with Scott Walker to give the Beast from the East an even more nasty, blue collar disposition. The team already had a ton of glamour, now they have a couple of veterans who aren't afraid in the least of rolling up their sleeves and getting dirty.


Oilers Receive: Matt Marquardt
Bruins Receive: Cody Wild

Marquardt has appeared in 42 games in the AHL this season recording 11 points. Just 22 years old, he has little future at the NHL level. He did have 164 points in 203 games in the QMJHL resulting in him being drafted 194th in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 6'3" and weighing 230 lbs, he is a big man.

VERDICT: No fantasy relevance whatsoever, but for the sake of being thorough, I'm still reporting it.


Ducks Receive: Aaron Ward
Hurricanes Receive: Justin Pogge, 4th round pick
It's a minor deal from a fantasy perspective, but that doesn't mean that we are going to let it slide by without a report. Click on the link to Aaron Ward Traded to the Ducks.


*** Tomas Kaberle of the Leafs would consider waiving his no-trade clause according to latest reports. However, team has said they won't ask him to waive it since they intend to honor his deal. Will anything happen with the talented blue liner or are we just spinning our wheels here?


Blues Receive: Joe Fallon
Blackhawks Receive: Hannu Toivonen, Danny Richmond
For more on this move I'll direct you to David Rogers and his piece entitled Armstrong Up, Toivonen & Richmond Out. For a take on the other side of the deal, from the Chicago end, click on the following link to Blackhawks Deal Fallon, Acquire Toivonen and Richmond..


Bruins Receive: Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartkowski
Panthers Receive: Craig Weller, Byron Bitz and 2nd round pick
Seidenberg will replace Derek Morris on the blue line for the Bruins. Twenty-eight years old, Seidenberg just got back from representing Germany in the Olympics. The Bruins will be his fourth NHL squad. He had 22 points in 61 games for the Panthers this season.

If you haven't heard of Bartkowski don't worry, you aren't slipping. He currently skates with Ohio St. University.

Weller is 29 years old and has appeared in all of 95 NHL games in his career (4g, 10, -10). He has spent the year in the AHL this season with 14 points in 55 AHL games with the Providence Bruins.

Bitz is 25 years old and has even less NHL experience with just five games under his belt. He's never been much of an offensive prospect.

VERDICT: If Seidenberg receives some power-play time in Boston, a distinct possibility, he could see his offensive production increase slightly. Plus, the squad in Boston is obviously superior to the one on Florida, so perhaps the move to Beantown will help him to better that (-3) rating.


Canucks Receive: Yan Stastny
Blues Receive: Pierre-Cedric Labrie
For a full breakdown of this deal, as well as any others that might occur with the Blues today, I direct you to our Blues' correspondent David Rogers and his Frozen Notes blog. He's blowing up the Blues info right now.


Coyotes Receive: Wojtek Wolski
Avalanche Receive: Peter Mueller, Kevin Porter
He often vanishes on the ice, and he has never met a scrum that he wanted to join, but Wolski is a potentially dominating offensive weapon. Still, when the guy is riled up he can bring a nice physical dimension to his play (he is 6'3", 200 lbs), he just often appears to lack the passion to do it consistently. Wolski scored 22 goals as a rookie, and then followed it up with 18 and then 14 the past two years. His level of production has improved this season, he has 17 goals and 30 assists in 62 games, leaving him three points short of his career high in points. He's also been a solid two-way skater as well with a +15.

Peter Mueller hasn't been the same since his rookie season. He has spent time on virtually every line with the Coyotes, and has seen time on the power-play as well, but the club in the desert just wasn't able to wake him from his scoring doldrums. After being drafted in the first round in 2006, Mueller burst on the NHL scene in 2007 scoring 22 goals and handing out 32 helpers. Since then his offensive production has completely dried up as he has 17 goals and 36 assists in his last 126 games. He might be better suited to work off the wing than the center position he has been traditional used at through the majority of his NHL career.

Kevin Porter won the Hobey Baker award as a skater in Michigan, but he has had a tough time establishing himself at the NHL level. He is a versatile player who has had some trouble adjusting to the speed of the NHL game, but he owns a lot of the intangibles that clubs look for. Porter has appeared in only four NHL games this season, and over two years he has five goals and five assists in 38 games.

VERDICT: Wolski is the best player in this deal. However, he continues to underwhelm with his production. Many see the former first round draft pick (2004) as a potential 30-goal scorer, and he will likely get a chance to skate on the top line in Phoenix to prove he can be just that. This might be a perfect storm of a player looking for a new deal as well as one who is moving to a new team for a fresh start. Mueller doesn't figure to offer much this season, he has been so down this year I just can't see a trade waking him up for the last 20 games, but he possesses the skill set to be a consistent 20-goal scorer in the NHL if he can find that lost scoring touch. As for Porter, he still has a ways to go, but given his pedigree and hockey smarts, as well as what will likely be a chance in Colorado to grow with a young team, he'll likely figure it out eventually.


Canadiens Receive: Aaron Palushaj
Blues Receive: Matt D'Agostini
D'Agostini has four points in 40 games this season, and in 94 games in his NHL career with the Habs he has scored 14 goals with 11 helpers. He will become a restricted free agent on July 1sst.

Palushaj has spent the year in the AHL with the Peoria Riverman where he has 22 points in 44 games. Taken in the second round in the 2007 Entry Draft, he has yet to appear in the NHL.

VERDICT: I told you at the start, I'm gonna report on everything that happens even if (a) you have no idea who the players are, (b) if it has no fantasy impact and (c) even if you don't care.


Coyotes Receive: Derek Morris
Bruins Receive: 4th round draft pick in 2011
"It's been kind of a long, messed-up process over the last few days," Morris said. A one-time Coyote blue liner (2003-2008), Morris wasn't happy with the way the entire process broke down, he was told he wouldn't be moved, though he did eventually acquiesce and waive his no-trade clause to allow the deal to go through. This is the third time that Morris has been moved at the deadline.

VERDICT: Morris owns a big shot and can run a power-play, but he hasn't scored 30-points in a season since 2003 (currently he has 3g, 22a, is a -2 and has 26 PIM). He is nothing more than a depth play in fantasy leagues, though he could receive a subtle boost if the Coyotes give him time with the man-advantage.


Capitals Receive: Scott Walker
Hurricanes Receive: 7th round draft pick
Walker is an intense competitor who will bring passion and intensity every night. A two-time 25 goal scorer, injuries have robbed Walker of the offensive upside he once possessed. Scott has only eight goals and 12 assists in his last 74 games, and injuries have limited him to just 33 games and five points this season.

VERDICT: Walker will help to energize a Caps club that already has as much offensive talent as any team on skates. This is a solid move for the Caps who are gearing up for what they hope to be a long playoff run, but Walker doesn't bring with him any offensive upside. As an aside, does this move mean that Ray Whitney will not be moved? The 'Canes simply can't move every weapon they have on their roster, and Whitney has been telling the club that he won't necessarily be looking to sign an extension anyway, so they may not get "fair" value if they were to move him. He might end up staying put (the hottest rumor has him being a target of the Kings).

For more on this deal, click on the link to Scott Walker Moving to Washington.


Penguins Receive: Alexei Ponikarovsky
Leafs Receive: Martin Skoula, Luca Caputi
"I didn't think this was a deal we'd be able to do. If you'd have told me we could do it a few days ago, I'd have said no way," Penguins GM Ray Shero said.

Ponikarovsky will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, but at 29 years old he is in the prime of his career. He has 19 goals and 22 helpers on the year, this after scoring a career best 23 goals last season. He possesses a lot of offensive skill, and the move from Toronto to Pittsburgh is like going from Juniors to the NHL - the quality of his new teammates will be a massive upgrade.

Skoula is 30 years old, and this will be his fifth NHL team since being a first round selection in 1998. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. He had eight points in 33 games with the Penguins and offers no upside on the offensive side of the ice.

Caputi is a 21 year old Toronto native, and that certainly should make this deal go over a bit more smoothly for a club that is losing a player what was one of their best offensive weapons. A fourth round draft pick in 2007, Caputi had two points in four games with the Pens this season though the left winger has shown some offensive flair in the AHL this season with 23 goals and 24 assists in 54 games. "Luca was the guy they wanted," Shero told the Canadian Press. "We had a long discussion internally. That was not a guy we wanted to trade or looked to trade. But at the end of the day Poni was that guy (that we wanted)."

VERDICT: Yahtzee. If Ponikarovsky ends up where we think he will, on either of the top-2 lines skating alongside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, well, where else would a winger rather be? With his level of offensive effectiveness he is almost certainly already on someone's fantasy roster, so the chance of picking him up is almost nil. If he is out there on waivers, grab him IMMEDIATELY. If you own Ponikarovsky - you may have just hit the mother load.


Predators Receive: Denis Grebeshkov
Oilers Receive: 2nd round pick in 2010
The Oilers are going nowhere as they are last in the league in points as this has been one of the most dismal seasons in team history. Therefore, pretty much everyone on the roster is fair game to be moved. Grebeshkov finds himself going from the outhouse to a team that has a better outlook in Nashville. Set to become a free agent at the end of the season, the addition of Grebeshkov may mean that that the Preds will move veteran d-man Dan Hamhuis.

VERDICT: Grebeshkov has some upside on offense, he scored 39 points last season, and this move will certainly help him to return to that level of effectiveness (he has 19 points in 47 games). The biggest change will likely come in his plus/minus. Currently sporting a (-16), look for the more defensively responsible squad in Nashville to help him improve that number.



*** Doesn't look like the Thrashers have any interest in moving Pavel Kubina or Maxim Afinogenov. Too bad too, a lot of teams could have used either option, especially those looking for depth on the blue line.



Senators Receive: Andy Sutton
Islanders Receive: 2nd round draft pick in 2010
The Senators needed help on the blue line, and they got a huge man in Sutton (I gave a breakdown of Sutton in the piece referenced at the start of this piece). Sutton led the Islanders in hits, and he also led the team with 153 blocked shots - the second most in the league, so he brings grit and toughness to any blue line. "It's an unbelievable opportunity," Sutton said. "Being an older player and getting a chance to play on such a great team and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup is a dream come true."

VERDICT: Sutton might be a little optimistic about the Senators chance of winning the Cup even though they lead the Northeast Division in points, but any team would likely seem like a Cup contender if you had been playing for the pee wee Islanders. Sutton could see his plus/minus improve (-3), and don't be surprised if he racks up a few PIMs trying to impress his new team.


Thrashers Sign Chelios
Yes, you read that headline right. The aged one, all 48 years of him, has signed a deal to join the Atlanta Thrashers. Chris Chelios, a 3-time Norris Trophy winner as the best defensemen in the league, had been playing with the AHL Chicago Wolves. Despite the signing, Chelios will still remain with the Wolves for now (he had been playing as a free agent), but he could be called on at any moment to rejoin the NHL. Chelios has played very well in the minors with 21 points and a whopping +35 rating in 44 games in the AHL.

VERDICT: There is no upside here at all, but his experience could be invaluable for a team looking to school their blue liners on what it means to be a professional. This is a positive signing, though one with no fantasy impact even if he is activated.


Wild Agree with Zidlicky
Whew, that was close. With a potential deadline deal looming, Marek Zidlicky and the Wild agreed to a 3-years deal on Tuesday meaning the offensive minded blue liner will remain in Minnesota. Zidlicky's deal is for $12 million, a fair sum for a player who skates nearly 24 minutes a game on the blue line while producing plenty of offense. Zidlicky is four points from a third straight 40-point effort, and his fifth 40-point season in six NHL seasons.

VERDICT: With all the health struggles of Brent Burns, it was pretty important for the Wild to lock up their top blue liner. Consider that task complete, and look for Zidlicky to settle in and have a nice stretch of action to end the season now that he knows he can literally burn money in the fireplace if it gets cold in the Land o' Lakes.


Thrashers Receive: Evgeny Artyukhin
Ducks Receive: D Nathan Oystrick and conditional 2011 draft pick
Artyukhin never fit in with the Ducks. He possesses some offensive skill, and he has a huge body, so the thought was that he could plant himself in front of the net and be a potential goal scorer. It didn't happen. Artyukhin had only five goals and four helpers in 37 games with the Ducks, and he found himself frequently as a healthy scratch. Artyukhin is a touch customer, he has 282 PIMs in 182 NHL games, and the hope is that he could evolve into a 15-goal, 150 PIM guy. He'll get a chance to prove that he can still be that man in Atlanta.

As for Oystrick, he is 27 years old, hasn't appeared in the NHL in 2010, but he did record four goals and eight helpers last season in 53 games with the Thrashers.

VERDICT: Artyukhin has some skill, but he is probably always going to be a bottom six forward. Still, he doesn't figure to be worth paying any attention to unless he somehow convinces his new club that he deserves some time on the second power-play unit.

Here are four minor deals that really don't deserve any commentary since none of the players is fantasy relevant for the rest of 2010.

Blue Jackets Receive: Matt Rust
Panthers Receive: Mathieu Roy

Rangers Receive: Anders Eriksson
Coyotes Receive: Miika Wiikman and a 7th round pick in 2011

Blue Jackets Receive: Chad Kolarik
Coyotes Receive: Alexandre Picard

Coyotes Receive: Petteri Nokelainen
Ducks Receive: Undisclosed draft pick


Here are some of the names that were thought to be on the block that didn't end up switching teams at the deadline.

Colby Armstrong
Brad Boyes
Tomas Kaberle
Paul Kariya
Cory Schneider
Ray Whitney