In part I of the winners and losers of the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline, I broke down some teams that might have walked away with the upper hand after completing their respective dealings. While some teams might have received the short end of the stick during deadline day bargaining, there are still a few teams left to be evaluated.
Here are the rest of the NHL teams and their dealings on deadline day:
Nashville Predators
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Two since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Nashville Predators traded Scott Hannan, Martin Erat, and Michael Latta, but their most promising return will likely come in the form of Filip Forsberg’s development within the organization. Martin Erat was tied for the team lead in points in Nashville as the right winger recorded 21 points (4 Goals, 17 Assists), and will be useful for the Capitals down the line. GM David Poile’s moves ultimately even out with the acquisition of a prospect such as Forsberg, so the Predators are stuck in limbo for now.
New Jersey Devils
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Two since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: New Jersey’s acquisition of Matt D’Agostino added some depth to a Devils team that has played without some of its key players (Martin Brodeur, Ilya Kovalchuk) during certain stretches of the season. While GM Lou Lamoriello seemingly snagged D’Agostino at the right time, he also managed to bring Steve Sullivan on board as the veteran forward adds more depth and experience to the Devils’ lineup – making the Devils borderline winners at the deadline. Overall, the two moves could cost New Jersey two mid-to-late round draft picks, but they could prove to be valuable additions during the final games of the season as the Devils make a playoff push.
New York Islanders
Status: Inactive
Number of Trades: None since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The New York Islanders did not make any trades during the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline.
New York Rangers
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Two since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Rangers certainly shook things up over the last couple of days as the team acquired Ryane Clowe and shipped Marian Gaborik out of town. Clowe netted the San Jose Sharks a favorable return (two 2013 draft picks & a conditional pick), but the Rangers also received their fair share of players when dealing Gaborik. Derick Brassard and Ryane Clowe will probably wind up contributing to New York’s offense, but it is too early to tell if the Rangers are winners or losers of this year’s dealings as the team’s moves could wind up evening themselves out.
Ottawa Senators
Status: Slightly Active
Number of Trades: One since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: Ottawa made one move during this year’s trade deadline as they moved one of their assets in the goaltending department. Ben Bishop was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Cory Conacher and a 2013 fourth round draft pick, and the trade was certainly made more intriguing as both players have played themselves into a position of value for their respective teams thus far. All in all, Conacher could provide the Senators with some offensive depth and Bishop will give the Lightning some much needed relief in their crease – making both teams winners as they addressed needs in the appropriate categories.
Philadelphia Flyers
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Three since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Philadelphia Flyers once again chose to trade a goalie to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but this time they received Michael Leighton and a 2015 third round draft pick in return. The Flyers also managed to acquire Kent Huskins and Jay Rosehill for a 2014 conditional seventh round draft pick and Harry Zolnierczyk, but Philadelphia’s deadline dealings ultimately even out and the winner/loser label cannot be applied in this case.
Phoenix Coyotes
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Four since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Coyotes chose to look toward the future during this year’s trade deadline as the team acquired Brandon McMillan, Tobias Rieder, and two draft picks. In turn, Phoenix surrendered Matthew Lombardi, Steve Sullivan, Raffi Torres, and Kale Kessy in various deals. Phoenix certainly lost some parts of their roster over the last several days, but the team definitely made some moves to secure its future, so the winner/loser label does not apply yet.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Four since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Penguins got their bidding done early this year as they acquired Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, and Doug Murray during the late stages of March. GM Ray Shero managed to sneak in a deadline-day deal as he took a gamble on Jussi Jokinen and sent a conditional seventh round pick for the forward. Pittsburgh undoubtedly bulked up over the course of the last week or so, and was hands down one of the winners of the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline as Iginla, Morrow, and Jokinen couldn’t have been acquired at a better time.
St. Louis Blues
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Four since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The St. Louis Blues came away as winners during the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline as the team addressed certain issues and even managed to get a return on Wade Redden. With the addition of Jordan Leopold and Jay Bouwmeester, the Blues are certainly hunkering down for the stretch-run, but one shouldn’t overlook the fact that St. Louis could potentially lose some draft picks (including a conditional first rounder) down the line. Despite the fact that the Blues might have given up some of their future over the course of their transactions, they are borderline winners as they acquired the pieces that they felt would best aid them in a possible playoff berth.
San Jose Sharks
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Four since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: Doug Wilson did some wheeling and dealing – something that he is accustomed to doing – but this time the GM managed to stockpile a number of draft picks for the San Jose Sharks. Even though Wilson dealt Doug Murray, Ryane Clowe, and Michal Handzus, he received five draft picks over the next two years and could potentially have a sixth pick if things go accordingly. For now, the San Jose Sharks can be considered potential long-term winners as the success, or lack thereof, of these transactions will have to be determined by GM Doug Wilson’s draft strategy over the next two years.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Two since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Tampa Bay Lightning made a couple of moves during the trade deadline, but the most important one was acquiring Ben Bishop. GM Steve Yzerman managed to acquire Adam Hall and a seventh round draft pick for Marc-Andre Bergeron, but the General Manager’s shrewd dealing for Ottawa’s goaltender took the cake for the Lightning at this year’s deadline. Overall, the Lightning came out winners during this year’s dealings as they addressed some concerns in the team’s crease.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Status: Slightly Active
Number of Trades: One since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Maple Leafs did not cause a stir at this year’s deadline by going out and trading for a starting netminder. Instead, the team kept its identity intact and acquired Ryan O’Byrne for a 2014 fourth round draft pick. By not mortgaging the future, Toronto’s upper management is showing confidence in their on-ice product and encouraging the team to have a strong finish to the 2012-2013 NHL season. In the end, the Maple Leafs were neither winners nor losers as they didn’t make any particularly significant deals that will immediately impact the team.
Vancouver Canucks
Status: Slightly Active
Number of Trades: One since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Vancouver Canucks only made one move during this year’s deadline, but they sure did make it count. The Canucks acquired the services of Derek Roy as the Dallas Stars continued their selling spree. Vancouver gave up Kevin Connauton and a second round draft pick in order to pluck Roy away from the Stars, but the Canucks are the immediate winners of their lone deadline deal.
Washington Capitals
Status: Active
Number of Trades: Two since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Washington Capitals definitely bolstered their offense by acquiring Martin Erat, but they gave away a potentially solid player in Filip Forsberg. While the Capitals gave away a young prospect to the Predators, they reacquired tough-guy Joel Rechlicz, and the acquisition of Martin Erat gives Washington some offensive depth and experience – something that makes Washington the winner in this deal for now.
Winnipeg Jets
Status: Inactive
Number of Trades: None since March 22, 2013.
Evaluation: The Winnipeg Jets did not make any trades during the last several days of the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline.
** Feel free to leave any comments on who you think might have been a deadline winner or loser!