The
trade brought Washington a bonafide #1 goaltender to push struggling
Olie Kolzig. The move worked well for the Caps while opening the door
for
20 year old Carey Price in Montreal. The youngster has responded as the
Canadiens have been fighting for top seed in the East ever since.
TEAM RECORDS:
Washington: 9-4-0
Montreal: 9-3-1
KEY STATS:
WASHINGTON
Cristobal Huet: 5-2-0, 1.93 GAA, .927 SVPCT
Olie Kolzig: 4-2-0, 2.06 GAA, .924 SVPCT
MONTREAL
Carey Price: 6-3-0, 2.23 GAA, .934 SVPCT
Jaroslav Halak: 2-0-1, 1.62 GAA, .947 SVPCT
VERDICT -
Both teams have been benefactors of superb goaltending.
The big difference is the average age of those in goal. The Capitals
are hoping their veteran netminders with an average age of 34.5 will
lead them to the playoffs. The Habs, meanwhile, have successfully
turned the reigns over to a pair who average just 21 years of age.
TO
Washington:
Sergei Fedorov
TO Columbus: Ted Ruth
(prospect)
Fedorov
has provided veteran leadership and great
faceoff skills (just in time to replace injured David Steckel's
prowess) but not
much else. Fedorov has scored just one goal and four assists in 12
games. This is the first time in his career that he is averaging less
than half a point per game. Also, his -6 rating in just 12 games is one
off from the worst he's ever had in an entire season. Fedorov has
centered the second line with Alexander Semin on his wing, but Semin
has scored only three goals since. Semin had a five game goal scoring
streak that ended the day the trade was made.
Derek
McKenzie, a 26 year old with 28 NHL games under his belt, essentially
replaced Fedorov in Columbus' lineup. He hasn't done much at all to
help salvage the Blue Jackets' season. Of course the jury is still out
on defensive prospect Ted Ruth, and likely will remain that way at
least until the 2009-10 season.
TEAM RECORDS:
Washington:
9-4-0
Columbus: 4-5-2
KEY STATS:
WASHINGTON
Sergei Fedorov: 1 G, 4 A, -6
COLUMBUS
Derek McKenzie: 1 G, 0 A
VERDICT
- Fedorov's leadership and experience have proven more valuable to
Washington than his on-ice play. He left an extremely weak corps of
centers in Columbus. Manny Malhotra, Jiri Novotny, Michael Peca, and
Derek McKenzie just may be the worst group of pivots in the entire
league, but the Jackets had little choice other than to cast off
Fedorov who was
likely to sign elsewhere this offseason.
TO
Washington:
Matt Cooke
TO Vancouver: Matt Pettinger
Both
teams have reaped benefits from the previously
underperforming players involved in this deal. Cooke scored the
Capitals first shorthanded goal in about 50 games, while Pettinger has
been drawing
headlines up in Vancouver. Both Cooke and Pettinger have been
reinvigorated by their changes of scenery.
TEAM RECORDS:
Washington: 9-4-0
Vancouver: 6-5-2
KEY STATS:
WASHINGTON
Matt Cooke: 2 G, 3 A, +1, 25 PIM
VANCOUVER
Matt Pettinger: 3 G, 2, A, +1, 11 PIM
VERDICT - Matt Cooke is playing for
a
contract in Washington or elsewhere while Pettinger has returned to his
childhood hometown with another year remaining on his deal. If Cooke
opts to sign with another team this summer, the Canucks may end up the
winners of the deal -- especially if Pettinger keeps up his improved
play and
becomes the player Washington thought he'd be.
TO
Pittsburgh:
Marian Hossa, Pascal Dupuis
TO Atlanta: Colby
Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito (prospect), '08 1st-rounder
Perhaps the biggest blockbuster of the deadline has
been a bit of a dud thus far. Hossa was injured in his first game with
the Pens and has appeared in just four altogether, but it doesn't
really
seem to matter since Pittsburgh keeps winning regardless who is in the
lineup. Atlanta's season, on the other hand, has been shot completely
to hell.
TEAM RECORDS:
Pittsburgh: 7-4-0
Atlanta: 2-8-4
KEY STATS:
PITTSBURGH
Marian Hossa: 1 G, 2 A, +1
Pascal Dupuis: 1 G, 8 A, +1
ATLANTA
Colby Armstrong: 3 G, 5 A, -8
Erik Christensen: 2 G, 2 A, -7
VERDICT - Who would have thought
that Dupuis would be the leading point producer in this trade after
nearly a month? With just 15 points in 62 games with the Thrash, he was
considered a throw-in. But Hossa could still play a major role
in Pittsburgh's playoff run. As for Atlanta, they threw in the towel
before Hossa left town and things have just gotten worse ever since.
However with Esposito and a couple first round picks in this year's
draft, there's
hope.
TO
Dallas:
Brad Richards, Johan Holmqvist
TO Tampa Bay:
Jeff Halpern, Jussi Jokinen, Mike Smith, '09 4th-rounder
The other big deal of deadline day sent overpaid and
underachieving Brad Richards out west. On paper, it appeared the trade
would benefit both teams. But has it?
TEAM RECORDS:
Dallas: 3-7-0
Tampa Bay: 4-8-1
KEY STATS:
DALLAS
Brad Richards: 2 G, 7 A
Johan Holmqvist: 0-0-0, 9.00 GAA, .750 SVPCT
TAMPA BAY
Jeff Halpern: 6 G, 6, A, +2
Jussi Jokinen: 1 G, 8 A, -10
Mike Smith: 3-6-0, 2.57 GAA, .902 SVPCT
VERDICT - Things looked great in
Dallas. Richard's first game in Big D saw him pick up five assists in
helping the Stars to their 13th win in 15 games. Since that day, they
have lost 7 of 8. In Tampa, Jeff Halpern has resurrected his scoring
touch
but the Lightning are still scraping rock bottom, tied for the worst
record in the league. Both teams have had difficulty adjusting since
the trade. It remains to be seen if Dallas, who once was the second
best team in the NHL, can recover in time for their playoff run. Tampa,
meanwhile, has been playing (poorly) with all their new parts. They
still have a 4th round pick to look forward to, but more moves likely
need to be made to return them to a playoff team, let alone a Stanley
Cup contender.
TO
San Jose:
Brian Campbell, '08 1st-rounder
TO Buffalo:
Steve Bernier, '08 7th-rounder
With Dan Boyle reupping with Tampa Bay, Brian
Campbell became the only big name defenseman who was on the move at the
deadline. Buffalo learned it's lesson from the departures of
unrestricted free agents Chris Drury and Daniel Briere last summer. It
didn't help that they were snake-bitten by the restricted market as
well when they were forced to match an exorbitant offer to keep Thomas
Vanek in town. The Sharks succeeded in acquiring an offensive minded
blueliner with the ability to move the puck and quarterback their power
play. Craig Rivet, with just 45 goals in 743 career games, was their
previous high scorer among their defensemen.
TEAM RECORDS:
San Jose: 12-0-1
Buffalo: 5-5-2
KEY STATS:
SAN JOSE
Brian Campbell: 2 G, 10 A, +8, 7 PP Pts
BUFFALO
Steve Bernier: 2 G, 6 A, +2
VERDICT - San Jose has become the
hottest team in the league as soon as the trade was made. Including two
wins before the deadline, they have now earned 27 of a possible 28
points in the past month. The Sabres continue to fight for the final
playoff spot in the East despite parting ways with Campbell, who has
been with Buffalo organization his entire career since being drafted in
1997.
Bernier, a former 1st-round pick in '03, brings
Buffalo a
talented, young right wing. With three NHL seasons under his belt,
Bernier's points-per-game have dropped off each season he has been in
the league: 0.69 in '05-06, 0.50 in '06-07, 0.39 in '07-08. Not quite
what you expect to see
from a 22 year old. Since joining Buffalo, he's at a 0.80 pace. If that
play continues to improve, coupled with San Jose's 1st-round pick on
the way, the Sabres may look back at this deal as a positive turning
point for the franchise. In the meantime, San Jose has won big -- and
they continue to do so.
TO
Carolina:
Patrick Eaves, Joe Corvo
TO Ottawa:
Cory Stillman, Mike Commodore
The Carolina Hurricanes sent two pending unrestricted
free agents who were integral in their run to the Stanley Cup two years
ago packing for Ottawa. In return they received oft-injured Patrick
Eaves and oft-in trouble Joe Corvo. Surprisingly, they began reeling
off win after win while Ottawa has never regained their early season
momentum.
TEAM RECORDS:
Carolina: 14-3-1
Ottawa: 7-8-3
KEY STATS:
CAROLINA
Patrick Eaves: 1 G, 4 A, -2,
Joe Corvo: 6 G, 9 A, +7, 8 PP Pts
OTTAWA
Cory Stillman: 3 G, 13 A, -5, 10 PP Pts
Mike Commodore: 0 G, 1 A, -8
VERDICT - For much of the season,
Carolina's power play unit consisted of five forwards. Then Corvo
came onto the scene and scored the 'Canes only four power play goals
from a defenseman all season long. Eaves, a 1st-round pick in '03, has
a
lot of upside but has been beset by injuries this season. He hasn't
been nearly as productive as Corvo. On the flip side, Commodore already
has the second-worst +/- on Ottawa and Stillman is third-worst. The
Sens are no longer the beast from the East and both players are free to
sign anywhere after the season, while Corvo and Eaves will remain in
Carolina for at least another year.
TO
Carolina:
Tuomo Ruutu
TO Chicago:
Andrew Ladd
Two former top-ten draft picks traded places in this
swap. While
Ladd's Blackhawks have faded a bit in the standings, his scoring has
improved dramatically. Both players have seen their ice time increase
with their new team but Ruutu hasn't been nearly as potent offensively.
TEAM RECORDS:
Carolina: 14-3-1
Chicago: 6-5-2
KEY STATS:
CAROLINA
Tuomo Ruutu: 1 G, 5 A, +1
CHICAGO
Andrew Ladd: 4 G, 6 A, +2
VERDICT - There's a lot of mileage
left in these guys so it's far too early to say. Both have been
injury-prone so that may be a major factor in determining which team
made
out in this deal. As will their contract status. Both Ladd and Ruutu
are restricted free agents come this offseason.
TO
Philadelphia:
Vinny Prospal
TO Tampa Bay:
Alexandre Picard, conditional draft pick
A day before shipping off Brad Richards, the Lightning
cut more costs by parting ways with Prospal, a pending UFA. The youth
movement in Tampa began with the 22 year old defenseman, Picard.
TEAM RECORDS:
Philadelphia: 7-3-3
Tampa Bay: 4-8-1
KEY STATS:
PHILADELPHIA
Vinny Prospal: 2 G, 6 A, +4
TAMPA BAY
Alexandre Picard: 2 G, 2 A, -7
VERDICT - Picard and his -7 rating
has fit right in with the lousy Lightning who gave up on their third
leading scorer in Prospal. Picard, who is a big, strong prospect but is
still pretty raw, has seen a ton of ice time since
arriving in Tampa, playing as many as 29 minutes in a single game.
Prospal has helped out in Philly as they are holding on for dear life
to one of the final playoff spots. If he's around to help out next year
is another question altogether.
TO
Washington:
Alexandre Giroux
TO Atlanta:
Joe Motzko
Sunday, March 23, 2008