NHL Trade Deadline 2009: Winners and Losers

With the last of the trades trickling into the NHL office, it is time to talk about the winners and losers on deadline day.

Winners

Calgary Flames

Getting Olli Jokinen and Jordan Leopold was a huge coupe for Darryl Sutter and the team in Calgary. 

They get a good, if not great, two-way center in Jokinen, and a defenseman in Leopold, who you can drop into the lineup and play big minutes. I believe in the 2004 season it was Regehr and Leopold who played together then. Look for that again this time around. 

But beware, Calgary, if Mike Keenan does not take this team deep into the playoffs, he will be found in the unemployment line too.

Phoenix Coyotes

Their performance since the all-star break dictated changes be made in the make-up of the team.  So, they got younger, faster, and I would almost argue better, and right away. 

Matthew Lombardi is starting to play to his potential, and Brandon Prust will play a role for the team too. He is a good team guy who sticks up for his teammates. 

Also, getting Prucha Kalinin and Dawes from the Rangers for Morris is a monster move.  Look for Phoenix to live up to its name and rise from the ashes in 2009-2010.

Losers

New York Rangers

They have continued their recent history of overpaying for players, only this time it is not so much in salaries, but in talent. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?