NHL Trade Deadline: 10 Deals That Should Have Been Done at the Deadline

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The biggest deal of the day was Dustin Penner being dealt from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings.

Other than that the deadline was slow. This year's NHL trade deadline only saw 16 trades which is the lowest total since 2000. Much of this was attributed to the amount of transactions leading up to the deadline.

Since February 9 up to the deadline day there were 26 trades, including 54 players and 22 draft picks.

With the lack of activity at the deadline there were a lot of deals that fell through.

Here are ten deals that should have gotten done.

Tim Connolly Being Dealt from the Buffalo Sabres

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Much to the chagrin of many Buffalo fans, Tim Connolly is still a Sabre. There was speculation leading up to the deadline that Connolly may have been dealt.

At least one team even contacted Sabres GM Darcy Regier about the center but Regier said Connolly wouldn't be traded.

Trading Connolly would have been smart seeing how he is a UFA at the end of the season and likely doesn't fit into the long term picture for the Buffalo Sabres.

Trading away Connolly's $4.5 million salary hit would have freed up cap space if Buffalo wished to make another deal at the deadline. 

Ales Hemsky Being Dealt from the Edmonton Oilers

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The Edmonton Oilers dealt Dustin Penner at the deadline. This showed that they are in the midst of a long term rebuilding process. So why didn't they also deal Ales Hemsky?

Ales Hemsky, like Penner, would have garnered top trade value. If the Oilers trade him in the offseason they may get less because than if they would have dealt him now because a team will only have him under contract for one season instead instead of one season and a quarter seasons and a potential playoff run.

Brad Richards from the Dallas Stars to the New York Rangers

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Brad Richards was never even asked to waive his no trade clause so a deal was probably never even close. But Richards did say he would be willing to play for the New York Rangers.

Right now the New York Rangers are dealing with key injuries and could use a power forward such as Richards. The Rangers, now considered to be a second tier team, could have been among the Eastern Conference's best had they acquired Richards.

Zenon Kopoka from the New York Islanders to the Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks took a run at Zenon Kopoka but the New York Islanders wanted a second round pick wish was too high of an asking price.

Kopoka would have added some versatility to the Ducks forwards. His gritty style seems perfectly suited for the postseason. 

John-Michael Liles from the Colorado Avalanche to the Toronto Maple Leafs

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There was speculation that the Toronto Maple Leafs were in the hunt for John-Michael Liles. Apparently, the Leafs weren't offering enough.

Liles is signed through next year so the asking price was probably high. The Leafs could have used an extra defenseman as they aren't quite out of the playoff hunt. 

Chuck Kobasew Being Dealt from the Minnesota Wild

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Chuck Kobasew's agent said Kobasew, who is a UFA at the end of the year, wished to play for a different NHL team.

The Minnesota Wild were unable to facilitate a deal partly because of a lack of depth at forward due to injuries to Mikko Koivu and Guillaume Latendresse. Kobasew will likely walk at the end of the season.

Filip Kuba Being Dealt from the Ottawa Senators

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There were a number of teams looking for defensive help at the deadline including the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Filip Kuba would have been quite a catch for a contender. He probably cam with a hefty price tag as he is signed through next season. Kuba may be moved in the offseason.

Johnny Oduya Being Dealt from the Atlanta Thrashers

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The Atlanta Thrashers have a lot of long term depth at the defensive position which is more than most teams can say.

With the asking price on unproven defenseman Zach Bogosian being so high it seemed more likely Oduya would be dealt

Oduya is signed through next year so he would have been more than just a rental player.

Marty Reasoner Being Dealt from the Florida Panthers to the Vancouver Canucks

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The Vancouver Canucks got there forward depth with the likes of Chris Higgins and Maxim Lapierre.

Another likely deal would have involved Marty Reasoner. Reasoner is on pass to have a career year and may have been a better option than an injured Higgins.

Jan Hejda from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Colorado Avalanche

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Jan Hejda was rumored to be on the trading block.

Hejda could have been packaged to Colorado for a John-Michael Liles deal. The Avs would have a replacement for Liles but would be free of Hejda's salary come July.

This deal would have made a lot of sense as the Blue Jackets tried to bolster their defense. They acquired former Sabres captain Craig Rivet earlier in the week.