NHL Trade Deadline: Team-By-Team Review

Here is a review of all the moves, or non-moves that all 30 NHL teams made today before the 3 pm ET trade deadline. There were a total of 31 trades made, with 55 players changing teams, and also 25 picks involved.

It was the most deals that have ever been completed on a trade deadline day, with a few teams that were quite active, and some that didn't make any moves at all.

Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks traded away 4 players (Ryan Whitney, Vesa Toskala, Justin Pogge, Petteri Nokelainen) and 3 picks (4th, 6th, 7th), while acquiring 4 players (Lubomir Visnovsky, Aaron Ward, Curtis McElhinney, Joey MacDonald) and 1 pick (6th).

The biggest name that moved on deadline day was Visnovsky, who instantly gives the team a true powerplay quarterback, and with Scott Niedermayer expected to retire, a #1 defenseman for the next few seasons. The acquisition of veteran Aaron Ward means that the team is serious about fighting for a playoff spot, sitting only two points out of 8th at the moment. McElhinney moves from one strong goaltender to backing up another in Jonas Hiller.

Ryan Whitney hasn’t done what was expected of him when he was acquired from the Penguins last season, and was deemed expendable. The same would apply to Vesa Toskala, who is an unrestricted free agent.

As expected, Scott Niedermayer was not traded, even though his name had come up in the rumor mill.

Atlanta Thrashers

The Thrashers are looking to make the playoffs, despite not having Ilya Kovalchuk in the lineup anymore. The club acquired Clarke MacArthur from Buffalo in exchange for a 3rd round and 4th round draft picks. The 26-year-old has struggled this season, but could provide some scoring with a change of scenery.

Although he had waived his no-trade clause, forward Slava Kozlov was not dealt and will finish out the season as a Thrasher.

Boston Bruins

Despite being mentioned as active participants for the last few weeks, the Bruins ended up shipping out one unrestricted free agent blueliner and acquiring another unrestricted defenseman. Dennis Seidenberg, Matthew Bartkowski and a 4th rounder come in, while Derek Morris, Craig Weller, Byron Bitz and a 2nd rounder get shipped out.

Michael Ryder was not traded, despite being available, and GM Peter Chiarelli wasn’t able to address his need for scoring up front.

Buffalo Sabres

GM Darcy Regier ended up making two deals on the day. One included shipping out underachieving forward Clarke MacArthur to Atlanta for a couple of draft picks (3rd and 4th). The other deal involved shipping out young blueliner Nathan Paetsch and a 2nd rounder for unrestricted free agent forward-to-be Raffi Torres.
Torres will provide some goalscoring ability, and more importantly, grit, as the Sabres prepare to make a playoff run behind US Olympian goaltender Ryan Miller.

Calgary Flames

GM Darryl Sutter already made his big moves over a month ago, when he shipped out Dion Phaneuf and Olli Jokinen among others, and picked up six new players in the process. He still ended up making a few more moves today, acquiring Vesa Toskala, Steve Staios, Andy Delmore and a 4th rounder while shipping out Dustin Boyd, Aaron Johnson, Riley Armstrong and Curtis McElhinney, as well as a 3rd rounder.

Carolina Hurricanes

As expected, GM Jim Rutherford was a real busy man today. He shipped out six players (Stephane Yelle, Scott Walker, Aaron Ward, Joe Corvo, Andrew Alberts and Harrison Reed), which included five roster players. He acquired four bodies (Brian Pothier, Justin Pogge, Cedric Lalonde-McNiccol, Oskar Osala), and more importantly, five picks (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th), as the Hurricanes look towards next season.

Surprisingly, the name that was considered to be the biggest available and was expected to be moved, didn’t. Ray Whitney will play out the rest of the season as a Carolina Hurricane.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks, considered a top Stanley Cup contender, did not make any moves at all. There were rumblings about improving their goaltending, but GM Stan Bowman is putting his faith in Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi to be the men between the pipes.

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche ended up making two deals, as the club surprisingly gets ready to make some noise in the playoffs. Veteran Stephane Yelle was acquired from Carolina, along with forward Harrison Reed. In exchange, the Avs shipped out Cedric Lalonde-McNiccol and a 6th round pick.
In a bigger deal, first-line forward Wojtek Wolski was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for young forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets were hoping to make a run at a second consecutive playoff appearance, but those hopes were dashed earlier in the season, forcing GM Scott Howson to become a seller at the deadline. He unloaded five players (Raffi Torres, Fredrik Modin, Milan Jurcina, Alexandre Picard, and Mathieu Roy).

In return, the club saved some salary, and picked up prospects Chad Kolarik, Matt Rust and Nathan Paetsch. The team also picked up three draft picks, which included a 2nd rounder.

Dallas Stars

Just like Chicago, the Stars were another team that was quiet on deadline day. GM Joe Nieuwendyk made his big move before the Olympics, when he acquired goalie Kari Lehtonen.

Although his name was in the rumor mill, Marty Turco will finish out the season in a Stars uniform.

Detroit Red Wings

Only minor deals for the Red Wings, as GM Ken Holland shipped Kris Newbury to the New York Rangers for Jordan Owens and he traded Andy Delmore to Calgary for Riley Armstrong. The club basically had its own deadline acquisitions in Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom and Niklas Kronwall returning to the lineup, and icing a healthy lineup for the first time all year.

Edmonton Oilers

The worst team in the NHL this season, the Oilers were expected to undertake a mass rebuild by shipping off contracts; however, there were a lot of guys that weren’t moved. Lubomir Visnovsky and Steve Staios were the only two bodies moved today, with Ryan Whitney, Aaron Johnson and a few draft picks coming into the fold.

None of the forwards were dealt, including Robert Nilsson, Shawn Horcoff, and Ethan Moreau. Sheldon Souray was also not traded, but he was already considered to be a risky pickup because of his hand injury.

Florida Panthers

Despite wanting to completely blow up his team, GM Dan Sexton was only able to move three players (Dennis Seidenberg, Matt Rust, Matt Bartkowski) while acquiring three (Mathieu Roy, Craig Weller, Byron Bitz). A 2nd rounder was also acquired from Boston.

Tomas Vokoun, who had been linked to Chicago, did not get moved. Neither did Cory Stillman or Steven Reinprecht.

Los Angeles Kings

Although GM Dean Lombardi had a lot of cap space and assets available, he did not make a big splash today. He was able to secure some veterans for the bottom six in Jeff Halpern and Fredrik Modin. It ended up costing the Kings Teddy Purcell, and two draft picks.

Minnesota Wild

Only deal of significance was trading Eric Belanger to the Capitals for a 2nd round pick. Owen Nolan ended up sticking with the Wild.

GM Chuck Fletcher had already made a deal right before the Olympic trade freeze, when he acquired Cam Barker for Kim Johnsson and prospect Nick Leddy.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens basically kicked off deadline day in the early hours of the morning, acquiring prospect Aaron Palushaj for forward Matt D’Agostini.

Despite a lot of speculation, neither Jaroslav Halak nor Carey Price were traded.

Nashville Predators

The Predators were among the clubs that had inquired about Alex Ponikarovsky, but had to settle for only one minor deal, as Calgary sent over forward Dustin Boyd for a fourth round pick.

Despite being in play, blueliner Dan Hamhius did not move.

New Jersey Devils

The biggest deal was already made a month ago by the Devils when GM Lou Lamoriello acquired Ilya Kovalchuk from Atlanta. He only made one minor upgrade, and that was getting Martin Skoula for a 5th round pick.

New York Islanders

Although goaltender Dwayne Roloson was expected to move, he didn’t, as GM Garth Snow stood pat on deadline day. Ditto for Martin Biron.

New York Rangers

It wasn’t any different for New York’s other team, as GM Glen Sather already made his big move by acquiring Olli Jokinen last month. Anders Eriksson and Kris Newbury were acquired, while Jordan Owens, Miika Wiikman and a 7th rounder were shipped out.

Ottawa Senators

The Senators also stood pat, as GM Bryan Murray made his two big deals already, when he acquired Andy Sutton the other day, and Matt Cullen right before the Olympic break trade freeze.

Philadelphia Flyers

Surprisingly, the Flyers did not do anything at the deadline, which included not picking up a goalie to replace Ray Emery. This is now Michael Leighton’s team, and he will have to carry the team to the playoffs.

Phoenix Coyotes

The surprise team of the regular season was also the surprise team of the deadline, making seven separate deals. This included picking up seven players (Derek Morris, Mathieu Schnieder, Wojtek Wolski, Lee Stempniak, Alexandre Picard, Petteri Nokelainen, Miika Wiikman) and a pick, while shipping out six players (Peter Mueller, Kevin Porter, Sean Zimmerman, Chad Kolarik, Anders Eriksson, Matt Jones) and also five picks (a pair of 4ths, a pair of 6ths, and a 7th).

Pittsburgh Penguins

A minor deal in picking up a 6th rounder for Chris Peluso. However, GM Ray Shero did make his main moves the few days before the deadline, picking up Alex Ponikarovsky from Toronto and Jordan Leopold from Florida.

St.Louis Blues

Two minor deals, which included picking up Matt D’Agostini and Pierre-Cedric Labrie, while moving out Yan Stastny and Aaron Palushaj.

San Jose Sharks

Another Cup contender that didn’t want to upset the current chemistry. The Sharks made no moves, and stood pat on deadline day.

GM Doug Wilson made his big deal a month ago, when he acquired Niclas Wallin from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Only one deal for GM Brian Lawton, which was with the Kings. Jeff Halpern was traded for Teddy Purcell and a 3rd round pick.

Toronto Maple Leafs

GM Brian Burke made his mark over a month ago when he made major trades with Calgary and Anaheim. However, he still moved Lee Stempniak, Martin Skoula, and Joey MacDonald, as well as a 6th rounder. He picked up a pair of defensemen in Matt Jones and Chris Peluso, while also collecting four picks.

Vancouver Canucks

A relatively quiet day for the Canucks, as Andrew Alberts was the only somewhat significant name added, along with two other players (Yan Stastny, Sean Zimmerman) and a 6th rounder. Shipped out were Mathieu Schnieder, Pierre-Cedric Labrie, and a 3rd rounder.

Washington Capitals

The most active team in the East, GM George McPhee added four roster players (Joe Corvo, Milan Jurcina, Eric Belanger, Scott Walker) while shipping out two players (Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala) and four picks, including a pair of 2nds.