2008 Woodie Awards
Church's Influence on Sports
NHL Trade Deadline
David Church
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Opinion
The National Hockey Leagues trade deadline came and went on Tuesday, Feb. 26 and teams were busy. With big name players such as Marian Hossa, Brad Richards, and Brian Campbell finding new homes, other big name players Olli Jokinen and Mats Sundin stayed put, leaving questions for the off-season.
25 trades later, it is time to discuss the trades that went down and how this can impact a team's future.
Let's start with the Atlanta Thrashers who traded Hossa and Pascal Dupuis for Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, prospect Angleo Esposito and 2008 draft pick. Despite losing Hossa, the Thrashers added young talent that could bolster a talented future.
The Pittsburgh Penguins on the other hand added help for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Hossa will now be able to play wingman to "Sid the Kid" while raising the expectations for a long playoff run. I am expecting them to be playing for the cup.
The Dallas Stars were able to pick up Richards and Johan Holmqvist for Mike Smith, Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Halpren and a 2009 first round draft pick. The addition of Richards gives the Stars contending power against the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks.
The Tampa Bay Lightning added an upgrade in goaltending with Smith, while adding three young players and two draft picks. This gives the Lightning an opportunity to rebuild a struggling team that had star power but lacked depth and goaltending.
The Philadelphia Flyers added Jarslov Modry on Feb. 19 and Vaclav Prospel on Feb. 25. Modry gives the Flyers depth on the blue line while Prospel gives the Flyers some much needed scoring power with the loss of Simon Gagne for the season and while waiting for Joffery Lupul to return from a high ankle sprain.
The last winner from the trade deadline was the Anaheim Ducks who once again didn't make a trade. They kept their core of players and traded for a role player. One reason for not making dramatic trades was that they have watched the return of last years Conn Smyth winner (playoff MVP) Scott Niedermayer and more importantly the return of Teemu Selanne who has sparked some much needed offense. The return of Selanne and Niedermayer make the Ducks the team to beat once again.
25 trades later, it is time to discuss the trades that went down and how this can impact a team's future.
Let's start with the Atlanta Thrashers who traded Hossa and Pascal Dupuis for Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, prospect Angleo Esposito and 2008 draft pick. Despite losing Hossa, the Thrashers added young talent that could bolster a talented future.
The Pittsburgh Penguins on the other hand added help for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Hossa will now be able to play wingman to "Sid the Kid" while raising the expectations for a long playoff run. I am expecting them to be playing for the cup.
The Dallas Stars were able to pick up Richards and Johan Holmqvist for Mike Smith, Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Halpren and a 2009 first round draft pick. The addition of Richards gives the Stars contending power against the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks.
The Tampa Bay Lightning added an upgrade in goaltending with Smith, while adding three young players and two draft picks. This gives the Lightning an opportunity to rebuild a struggling team that had star power but lacked depth and goaltending.
The Philadelphia Flyers added Jarslov Modry on Feb. 19 and Vaclav Prospel on Feb. 25. Modry gives the Flyers depth on the blue line while Prospel gives the Flyers some much needed scoring power with the loss of Simon Gagne for the season and while waiting for Joffery Lupul to return from a high ankle sprain.
The last winner from the trade deadline was the Anaheim Ducks who once again didn't make a trade. They kept their core of players and traded for a role player. One reason for not making dramatic trades was that they have watched the return of last years Conn Smyth winner (playoff MVP) Scott Niedermayer and more importantly the return of Teemu Selanne who has sparked some much needed offense. The return of Selanne and Niedermayer make the Ducks the team to beat once again.
Be the first to comment on this story