NHL Trade Deadline: Central Division Winners and Losers

The trade deadline was, for the most part, uneventful. There were still some pretty big dealings, but the excitement of the trade deadline waned because of the lack of sellers on the market this season.

Every team in the NHL Central, except for Detroit, had a deal set in stone before the Monday deadline.

There wasn't any huge player dealt, but Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis and Columbus all got skaters that they hope will benefit them this season and possibly seasons to come.

Here are the NHL trade deadline winner and losers for the NHL Central.  

Winner: Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 17: Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Canucks on February 17, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/G

The Nashville Predators are currently fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Recent struggles have made them slip all the way down to 10th, but with the way things are in the Western Conference, a team is never too far away from a playoff spot. 

To help the cause, Nashville traded a first-round pick in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012 for Mike Fisher from Ottawa. 

This was one of the landmarks of the trade deadline. 

Nashville picks up a center who fits right into their playing scheme. He can be a potential 25-plus goal scorer, while adding 40-50 assists in a season. 

He has plenty of playoff experience, and that's what Nashville wanted and now hopes Fisher can bring to the team. 

Loser: Chicago Blackhawks

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CALGARY, CANADA - FEBRUARY 9: Chris Campoli #14 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Calgary Flames on February 9, 2011 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

After many statements by Stan Bowman that he was working nonstop on trying to form a deal, the Blackhawks finally acquired defenseman Chris Campoli.

Campoli isn't the penalty-killing machine the 'Hawks needed, but he does skate and handle the puck fairly well.

I am thinking that Campoli was the best the 'Hawks could get given their salary cap and the fact that they didn't give any player on the NHL roster away. Still, there was a sense of disappointment floating around this trade.

But the recent five-game winning streak the 'Hawks are on have abated any trade deadline woes the fans might have had. But a little better depth and the defensive position would've been nice. 

The 'Hawks are in the playoff race, and things are finally looking to be headed in the right direction.  

Other Additions: Michael Frolik and Alexander Salak  

Winner: Detroit Red Wings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Goalie Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings gloves the puck for a save against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on February 28, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Red Wings won 7-4. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/G

The Detroit Red Wings were not active in the trade market this season, but they did give goaltender Jimmy Howard a two-year contract extension worth $2.25 million per season.

Howard has been everything the Red Wings could ask.

He notched his 31st win of the season Monday night, has a 2.82 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.

There is little to worry about in Detroit when it comes to the Red Wings. They are, once again, part of the elite teams in the NHL this season.

Doing nothing was probably better than doing something in this case.  

Loser: Columbus Blue Jackets

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 27: Scottie Upshall #8 of the Phoenix Coyotes watches as the puck sails above him during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 27, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Coyotes 4-3 i

The Columbus Blue Jackets' biggest addition is forward Scottie Upshall. He's a decent forward that has just recently been given the chance to play a full NHL season.

Columbus really didn't do anything to better themselves in the near or far future. Being 12th in the Western Conference and the chances of making the playoffs very low, the Jackets failed this season at the deadline. 

They, like I said earlier, were affected by the lack of sellers and hot prospects at this year's trade deadline.

The best the Jackets can hope for is a decent late-season run. Improving should be their main goal. Their 7-2-1 record the last 10 games hasn't helped them inch closer to a playoff push, but Columbus could be a team that makes a late push for the eighth seed.

It's not likely, but keep your eyes open. 

Other Additions: Sami Lepisto, Michael Chaput and Greg Moore 

Winner: St. Louis Blues

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ST. LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 22: Kevin Shattenkirk #12 of the St. Louis Blues moves the puck up ice against the Colorado Avalanche at the Scottrade Center on February 22, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

St. Louis built themselves up for the future in this trade deadline. They received two draft picks, one second-round pick in 2011 and a third-round pick in 2012.

Add an impressive young defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and forward Chris Stewart, and the Blues have some very talented youngsters.

This was the plan all along. Recent seasons haven't been kind to the Blues. They've only made the playoffs once since the lockout.

Hopefully, with these new additions, the Blues can finally build the franchise their fans have been hoping would happen for years.