Many teams are coasting right now.
Many other teams are hoping to making the playoffs.
Let's take a look at every single team, and see how they fared this past month in representing their teams during the trade deadline!
Anahiem Ducks
Currently fighting to make the playoffs, the Ducks were movers at the deadline. They were willing to send forward Chris Kunitz to Pittsburgh for a solid defenseman in Ryan Whitney.
The Ducks also received Eric Christensen, Petteri Nokelainen, James Wisneiwski, and a few young prospects in goalie Timo Pielmeier, and Petri Kontiola. They got rid of tough guys, Travis Moen, Steve Montador, Nathan McIver, and Kent Huskins.
Anahiem has a good set of young talents, and maybe they will finally get their chance to show what they got. Expect Bobby Ryan to step it up.
Grade: B-
Atlanta Thrashers
For yet another season, it seems the Thrashers are fighting just to stay out of last place.
The Thrashers have traditionally been a team to make moves near the deadline. Last season they made a move to get rid of Hossa to grab Christensen (now a Duck), and Colby Armstrong.
The Thrashers did make moves to grab young players in Annsi Salmela, and Eric O'Dell, both future NHL players, who could both be steals. The Thrashers also got rid of veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider, who they traded to get at the beginning of the season.
The Thrashers admitted defeat in this trade deadline, but they did manage to get a handful of draft picks, clear some salary, and focus on the future. They didn't get star power, but the Atlanta Thrashers get a C+.
Grade: C+
Boston Bruins
The Bruins are currently coasting in first place in the Eastern Conference. There were rumors swirling that they were gonna get rid of backup goalie Manny Fernandez, but he stayed put.
Feeling they lacked veteran talent in front of the net, they picked up veterans Steve Montador from the Ducks and Mark Recchi from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Recchi has two Stanley Cups in his resume, and could be picking up his third if the Bruins can keep it up.
Grade: C+
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo has been fighting in the middle of the Eastern Conference all season. Ryan Miller recently went down with an injury leaving veteran goaltender Patrick Lalime to step in and take charge. The Sabres addressed this issue by picking up goaltender Mikael Tellqvist from Phoenix.
However, they did give up Alex Kotalik also during the deadline—only getting a draft pick, Dominic Moore, and a backup goalie in return. The Sabres didn't really play for this year or next year. The question is—who's gonna be the backup goalie when Miller returns?
Grade: C-
Calgary Flames
Calgary addressed many issues at the deadline. They were definitely buyers and smart ones at that. They didn't waste anytime on deadline day, picking up veteran forward Olli Jokinen and defenseman Jordan Leopald.
There was only a one problems with the Flames' trade deadline. They are strictly playing for the 2009 Stanley Cup, and can definite
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