NHL Trade Rumors: Which Teams Have Improved at the Deadline
Erik Johnson, the first overall pick in 2006, got revenge on his former team when he scored the go-ahead goal to beat the Blues at the Scottrade Center as a member of the Avalanche.
Johnson is not the only core member of a team to get dealt at the deadline.
Many teams were involved in blockbuster trades that will either make or break their seasons.
The following will dissect each transaction since February 9 and determine if each team made the right move going forward.
Francois Beauchemin Is Dealt to the Ducks
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Date: February 9th, 2011
Anaheim Ducks acquire: D Francois Beauchemin
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: RW Joffrey Lupul, D Jake Gardiner
The defensive-minded Ducks got what they wanted, a proven veteran defenseman who is serving his second stint in Anaheim and should not require a serious adjustment period.
On the other hand, the Leafs are in jeopardy.
If Jake Gardiner, who is currently at the University of Wisconsin, plays like a first-rounder (drafted 17th overall in 2008), they will get the better end of the deal.
If not, GM Brian Burke will feel the wrath of Leaf Nation once again.
Al Montoya Joins the Islanders
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Date: February 9th, 2011
New York Islanders acquire: G Al Montoya
Phoenix Coyotes acquire: 2011 sixth-round pick
Pretty harmless deal.
The Islanders needed a goaltender so Al Montoya goes from one empty building to another.
Michael Frolik Is Freed from Florida
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Date: February 9th, 2011
Chicago Blackhawks acquire: RW Michael Frolik, G Alexander Salak
Florida Panthers acquire: RW Jack Skille, RW Hugh Jessiman, C David Pacan
The Blackhawks probably got the better end of this deal.
Michael Frolik (10th overall, 2006), Jack Skille (seventh overall, 2005) and Hugh Jessiman (12th overall, 2003) have all been relatively disappointing for first-rounders.
However, Frolik has had two 20-goal seasons since joining the Panthers and should have a breakout year next year (or even a strong impact this season) with the Blackhawks now that he has a better team around him.
He played on the same junior team, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL), as Vincent Lecavalier and Sidney Crosby and was highly regarded on draft day.
Skille could thrive with the young Panthers but he will play in the same frustrating defensive system that Frolik was in the past two years.
Jessiman is the only first-rounder from 2003 not to play in an NHL game. Odds are he's not a huge part of Florida's future plans, but time will tell.
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Jay Leach Joins the Devils
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Date: February 9th, 2011
San Jose Sharks acquire: C Michael Swift, RW Patrick Davis
New Jersey Devils acquire: D Jay Leach, C Steven Zalewski
The Devils get a veteran they can put on the ice immediately in Jay Leach.
However, each team's ability to develop players will ultimately determine which squad benefited most from the deal.
The three other players all have potential to crack an NHL roster.
Mike Fisher Joins Carrie Underwood (and the Predators) in Nashville
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Date: February 10th, 2011
Nashville Predators acquire: C Mike Fisher
Ottawa Senators acquire: 2011 first-round pick, conditional 2012 draft pick
If the Predators get out of the first round this year, they will have no qualms about this deal.
While they usually use the draft effectively, veteran Mike Fisher will make an immediate impact on the team, and they effectively used the team's location in Nashville to lure a much-needed piece to team.
There's one person who definitely got the best end of this deal.
Look how happy Carrie is.
Kris Versteeg Returns to a Contender
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Date: February 14th, 2011
Philadelphia Flyers acquire: RW Kris Versteeg
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: 2011 first-round pick, 2011 third-round pick
Kris Versteeg goes from the cellar (I hate to say outhouse; the Leafs have such loyal fans up there) to the penthouse in one day, and the Flyers get another veteran with playoff experience.
The Leafs would be well-advised to use those picks effectively. If they do, they may get the better end of this trade in the long run.
Aaron Voros Leaves Anaheim
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Date: February 15th, 2011
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: LW Aaron Voros
Anaheim Ducks acquire: Conditional 2011 draft pick
Aaron Voros has fallen from grace since fulfilling a childhood dream by inking with the Rangers in 2008.
The pugnacious winger joined the Minnesota Wild after surviving cancer in 2007.
However, in his final year with the Blueshirts, he was dealt to the Ducks.
Recently, he was sent down to the American League.
He'll have one more shot with the Leafs.
Chris Kelly Departs Ottawa
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Date: February 15th, 2011
Boston Bruins acquire: C Chris Kelly
Ottawa Senators acquire: 2011 second-round pick
Ottawa needs to shed salary and start rebuilding.
Boston needed a veteran for a playoff run.
Both teams got what they wanted.
Paul Mara Joins the Habs
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Date: February 17th, 2011
Montreal Canadiens acquire: D Paul Mara
Anaheim Ducks acquire: 2012 fifth-round pick
Paul Mara could have a significant impact on the Habs, which could use a veteran for the playoffs.
Jarkko Ruutu Brings His Intensity to the Ducks
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Date: February 17th, 2011
Anaheim Ducks acquire: LW Jarkko Ruutu
Ottawa Senators acquire: 2011 sixth-round pick
The Ducks got a player that fits their mantra at a reasonable price.
Craig Anderson Leaves Colorado After Impressive Run
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Date: February 18th, 2011
Ottawa Senators acquire: G Craig Anderson
Colorado Avalanche acquire: G Brian Elliott
This is a head scratcher for Ottawa.
Colorado is banking that Craig Anderson was a flash in the pan and, with their recent tailspin, it is building for the future.
Either way, even if Anderson plays well, he cannot turn around the moribund Senators.
Blake Wheeler Joins Young Thrashers
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Date: February 18th, 2011
Boston Bruins acquire: C Rich Peverley, D Boris Valabik
Atlanta Thrashers acquire: RW Blake Wheeler, D Mark Stuart
Smart move by Thrashers GM Rick Dudley.
Blake Wheeler should thrive in a wide-open system with younger players around him, and Mark Stuart will be a strong veteran presence.
The Bruins shouldn't have too many qualms about this move, even if Wheeler becomes a star in Atlanta.
Both Peverley and Valabik have shown plenty of upside in Georgia.
However, in the end the Thrashers got the better end of this deal.
Tomas Kaberle Joins a Contender
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Date: February 18th, 2011
Boston Bruins acquire: D Tomas Kaberle
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: 2011 first-round pick, conditional 2012 second-round pick, C Joe Colborne
If Tomas Kaberle is the missing piece for the Bruins, Boston will easily have made the right move here.
Although, if the team is a first-round bust, they may have some qualms about mortgaging their future.
Using past precedence, however, I'm guessing the Bruins get the better end of this deal.
Toronto should stop dealing with their Northeast Division rivals.
Derek Joslin Is Dealt to the Hurricanes
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Date: February 18th, 2011
Carolina Hurricanes acquire: D Derek Joslin
San Jose Sharks acquire: Future considerations
Derek Joslin will benefit from this interaction by leaving a team that is well-stocked with defensemen and joining a young team that will give him more playing time.
Ian White Joins the San Jose Sharks
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Date: February 18th, 2011
San Jose Sharks acquire: D Ian White
Carolina Hurricanes acquire: 2012 second-round pick
The Sharks needed defensive reinforcement for the stretch and got it in Ian White at a reasonable price.
Eric Brewer Reinforces the Lightning Defense
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Date: February 18th, 2011
Tampa Bay Lightning acquire: D Eric Brewer
St. Louis Blues acquire: 2011 third-round pick, rights to undrafted free-agent Brock Beukeboom
The Lightning need bodies along the blue line and will get a serious upgrade with veteran Eric Brewer.
This is another savvy move by Steve Yzerman.
St. Louis relinquishes their captain while hoping that Beukeboom becomes a producer, and they get a value pick in the third round.
Erik Johnson Is Ostracized by the Blues
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Date: February 19th, 2011
St. Louis Blues acquire: D Kevin Shattenkirk, F Chris Stewart, 2011 or 2012 second-round pick
Colorado Avalanche acquire: D Erik Johnson, F Jay McClement, 2011 or 2012 first-round pick
The Avalanche pulled off a heist here.
St. Louis may have been upset at Johnson for missing the 2008 season and felt he was not developing as planned, but they did not get enough in return for the former first-overall pick.
Johnson already got back at his former team and will turn out to be a better prospect than Shattenkirk, who will have big shoes to fill in St. Louis.
A once-promising young team in Missouri appears to have taken a serious turn for the worse.
James Neal Joins the Penguins
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Date: February 21st, 2011
Dallas Stars acquire: D Alex Goligoski
Pittsburgh Penguins acquire: LW James Neal, D Matt Niskanen
This myopic move is going to be costly for the once-promising Stars.
Alex Goligoski is a promising player in his own right, but both James Neal and Matt Niskanen have significantly more upside and will have better careers.
The Penguins are playing a Pirates' Game here.
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