love the puck

Saturday, March 11, 2006

SORTING THROUGH THE STORM

Deadline day breakdown

The NHL trade deadline set a new record for transactions on the final day of activity with 25 transactions being completed. Here are the winners and losers from NHL's d-day.

WINNERS:

Edmonton Oilers- Kevin Lowe is proving himself to be a man of action. In the off-season he signed Pronger and Peca-- the two men he targetted-- and on deadline day he adressed two major team needs. Dwayne Roloson is going to get his chance to prove that he can be a number one goalie. Not only does he have to prove himself on a team desperate for better goal tending, but he'll have to do it for a team that is hungry to go deep into the NHL playoffs this spring. Roloson gets his wish, and all the pressure that comes along with it.

By adding Sergei Samsonov the Oilers adressed their offense and add skill. The Oilers play a blood-and-guts style of hockey, and Samsonov will give them someone to complement Hemsky with puck skills and scoring touch.

Vancouver Canucks- In perhaps what was the best move of the day, Dave Nonis managed to get goalie Mika Noranen from Buffalo for a 2nd round draft pick. I say this could be the best move of the day because Noranen will likely be the number one goalie for the Canucks in the future. Alex Auld will feel the heat and either elevate his game, or once again man the role of backup.

Nonis also adressed his teams lack of depth on defense, and although he gave up prospects Steve McCarthy and Tomas Mozjis, he received much needed experience and grit on the blueline. Weinrich and Carney are older, but they have seen all there is to see in the league, and that will prove valuable in the playoffs. Many of these Canucks felt they could have made a run similiar to that of the Flames had they gotten out of the first round. This year they may get their chance, and the leadership and veteran calm of their newly acquired defenseman will help.

Nashville Predators- There were rumblings that the Preds paid too high a price for Brendan Witt. However when a team adresses a need, in this case a lack of toughness, and they go out and spend a little to get what they needed, then I consider it a success.

Witt is a tough customer and it is no secret that the Predators need that element to their team to make a deep post-season run. Witt is not going to be a top two or three defenseman for Nashville and they don't need him to be. His job description will be simple. Make people fear the Predators. Nashville is a Stanley Cup contender if they can get some of that physical intimidation into their opponents.

Montreal Canadiens and Jose Theodore- Both sides win in this case. Theodore gets a chance to start over, much like Dany Heatley, and the Canadiens get a solid goalie in David Aebischer. Huet has played well for the Habs of late, but he's not going to be a Stanley Cup winning goalie. Aebischer played well in the last NHL post-season, falling victim to the San Jose Sharks in the second round.

For Theodore, it's a mental advantage to be moved. He was obviously feeling the pressure in Montreal, and was unable to keep his level of play at the level we have been used to seeing from him. In Colorado he'll get a fresh look, and hopefully that sparks something in him. A gamble for the Avalanche, but it could pay great dividends.

LOSERS:

Toronto Maple Leafs- Luke Richardson will add grit and toughness on the blue-line, but the Leafs needed more. Whether it was help up front, or on the back end, the Leafs probably needed to get better and didn't. I don't think John Ferguson needed to have a firesale with the talent they have, and I commend him for not making a deal just to make a splash, but I feel the Leafs will have a difficult time making the playoffs with the squad they have.

Mike Keenan- Always famous for being difficult to deal with, Keenan shopped Jokinen hard and then resigned him at the last minute. Keenan was waiting to drive the price higher and higher, and then kept Jokinen himself. I don't know what Keenan's plans are in Florida, but I don't think he'll last much longer. He's playing games with the teams stars and the fans.

Posted by Jon at 11:08 AM | | e-mail me