NHL Trade Deadline: Senators Move, Maple Leafs Mull

The trade deadline is a very interesting game in itself around the NHL.

Most teams are either making improvements as they press on towards the playoffs and some are just looking to restructure.

In so many ways, picking up the right kind of people in key areas can make a team so much better than its rivals. 

February 11, 2008  

Ottawa fires the first shot by trading Patrick Eaves and Joe Corvo to the Carolina Hurricanes for Mike Commodore and Corey Stillman. This was a great trade in different ways for both teams.

Commodore and Corvo are different types of defensemen. Corvo is a little more offensive and Commodore is more experienced in the playoffs. Both players are going to provide a level of play that each team requires.

Corvo, playing in his first game with Carolina, already contributed to the team's offense with an assist. Carolina is looking to put a foot down again and make a run for the cup. With a guy like Patrick Eaves going to Carolina, it's also going to bring some more offense to a team that has not had a lot of it this year.

Stillman is a veteran having played with various playoff teams and will bring that added level of experience and grit to a second line. Having Stillman on the second line may take some of the pressure off of the "Pizza Line" (a promotion during Ottawa home games): Heatley, Alfredsson, and Spezza.

Now that Ottawa and Carolina have agreed to make a move, it's time for Toronto to pull the trigger on a few deals. With Ottawa making a trade to bolster their solid defensive roster, this should send some sort of a message to the rest of the team that they should try to acquire defensemen while they are still available.

With so many names like Rob Blake, Daryl Sydor, and Chris Pronger floating around the deadline, Toronto should add some true veteran help to the blue line. The fact that Ottawa has acknowledged their need for a player like Commodore shows their desire to win.

Will Toronto show that same drive as the deadline approaches? Could a trade of one forward and two defensemen make the difference that Toronto has needed for years? 

Time is ticking off the clock and we can only hope.