NHL Trade Deadline 2009 Review

Well, the 2009 NHL Trade Deadline has come on gone.  In my last blog I questioned if we'd get up to the 25 trades and 40-plus players moved like we have in years past.

The 2009 deadline has seen 22 trades take place, 45 players moving cities, and 14 draft picks go to new organizations.  

Now, I'm going to quickly assess each of the 18 trades, except the first trade between Columbus and Ottawa this morning.  For that assessment, see my previous entry.

Calgary Gets: D Jordan Leopold

Colorado Gets: D Lawrence Nycholat, D Ryan Wilson, 2nd Round Pick                    

Winner: Calgary Flames.  Easy.  Flames GM Darryl Sutter went into this deadline looking for two things; a defenseman and a center.  Not only did they get a good steady d-man, they got a d-man who they're familiar with.  Leopold was drafted by Calgary and was with them for their run to game seven of the Cup Finals 2003. Expect him to log some decent minutes in every situation.                          

Loser: Colorado Avalanche.  This is a team that had high expectations coming into the season, but injuries and horrible goaltending have dropped them to last in the West. Nycholat has bounced around the league and the minors, but I expect him to slide into the lineup for the Avs' remaining games.  Wilson, 22, was an undrafted free agent, and spent this season with the Quad City Flames of the AHL scoring four goals and 20 points in 60 games.

Pittsburgh Gets: D Andy Wozniewski                                                                          

St. Louis Gets: D Danny Richmond

Winner: Pittsburgh Penguins.  In a trade for two minor-leaguers, I would have to name the Penguins winner simply because they get a guy in Wozniewski who has almost a full seasons worth of NHL experience.

Loser: St. Louis Blues.  Richmond has bounced around in his short career and has only had a cup of coffee in the NHL.  The bulk of his playing time has, and most likely will, for the rest of this season, come in the AHL.  

Interesting Fact: Both players come from Buffalo Grove, Illinois.  

Buffalo Gets: G Mikael Tellqvist                                                                          

Phoenix Gets:  2010 4th Round Pick

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