NHL Trade deadline winners and losers

MICHAEL SILICZ VOLUNTEER STAFF

Feb. 27, 2007 marked the last day of the season that NHL teams could trade players with one another. It is traditionally an exciting time of the year, as it signifies the last quarter of the regular season and sets the tone for the playoffs. As always, the trade deadline featured many teams vying for playoff contention that were buyers, and a few teams out of playoff contention that were sellers. Here are the top winners and losers of the 2006-07 trade deadline.

The top 5 winners

5. Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers, far out of playoff contention, made one of the biggest splashes in the NHL by trading away Peter Forsberg to the Nashville Predators. The Flyers also parted ways with Kyle Calder and Alexei Zhitnik, while acquiring a starting goaltender in Martin Biron, Lasse Kukkonen, the underrated Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, and a first- and third-round pick in the upcoming draft.

4. Vancouver Canucks: Picking up Bryan Smolinski will greatly help the team’s problems at the centre position, and the all they had to give up was a conditional draft pick. Re-acquiring Brent Sopel for a second- and fourth-round draft pick should also enhance team chemistry heading into the playoffs.

3. St. Louis Blues: After years of mediocrity, the Blues sent away two of the biggest relics of the old NHL for an unbelievable bounty. Giving up Keith Tkachuk and Bill Guerin for Ville Nieminen, Glen Metropolit, and a prospect is good enough news, but the Blues also snagged a whole lot of draft picks as well. The Blues now own Atlanta’s 2007 first and third-round picks, as well as the Thrashers’ 2008 second- and conditional first-round picks. They also picked up San Jose’s 2007 first-round pick.

2. Detroit Red Wings: Picking up Todd Bertuzzi for two conditional draft picks was a steal. Even if the rugged winger doesn’t touch a puck this year, GM Ken Holland has minimized the team’s risk.

1. New York Islanders: Ryan Smyth is exactly the type of leader that the suddenly surging Islanders needed to take them deep into the playoffs. And the minor cost of Robert Nilsson, Ryan O’Marra, and a first-round pick was well worth the price for Smyth’s experience. Picking up another veteran, Richard Zednik, for a second-round pick is making first-year GM Garth Snow look like he’s been through trade deadlines for years.

The top 5 losers

5. Edmonton Oilers: Kevin Lowe could have received much more for Smyth had he traded him to a Western conference rival. However, the deal will look much better should Smyth come back and sign with Edmonton as a free agent in the summer.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs: For a team that is decimated by injuries, only acquiring Yanic Perreault (again!) and a fifth-round pick for Brendon Bell and a 2008 second-rounder isn’t exactly showing their fans that they are serious about contending this year. Worse, Gary Roberts was available, picketing to be traded to Toronto, and was the most talented player to skate with Mats Sundin in the last five years.

3. Colorado Avalanche: The lack of any real activity from the Avalanche may cause them to miss the playoffs for the first time in their history. Not trading Jose Theodore and picking up goalie Michael Wall for Brad May makes their plight even worse.

2. Phoenix Coyotes: Despite a fire sale of multiple players, the Coyotes failed to bolster their current lineup or stockpile future draft picks. This is proof that besides Shane Doan, the only part of Winnipeg left in the Coyotes is their inability to manage a hockey club successfully.

1. Montreal Canadians: In the middle of a playoff race, Montreal failed to make any moves that would upgrade their roster. This lack of activity should cost Les Habitants a trip to the playoffs.





Volume 94 Issue 23	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	March 07, 2007

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly NHL Trade deadline winners and losers MICHAEL SILICZ VOLUNTEER STAFF Feb. 27, 2007 marked the last day of the season that NHL teams could trade players with one another. It is traditionally an exciting time of the year, as it signifies the last quarter of the regular season and sets the tone for the playoffs. As always, the trade deadline featured many teams vying for playoff contention that were buyers, and a few teams out of playoff contention that were sellers. Here are the top winners and losers of the 2006-07 trade deadline. The top 5 winners 5. Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers, far out of playoff contention, made one of the biggest splashes in the NHL by trading away Peter Forsberg to the Nashville Predators. The Flyers also parted ways with Kyle Calder and Alexei Zhitnik, while acquiring a starting goaltender in Martin Biron, Lasse Kukkonen, the underrated Scottie Upshall, Ryan Parent, and a first- and third-round pick in the upcoming draft. 4. Vancouver Canucks: Picking up Bryan Smolinski will greatly help the team’s problems at the centre position, and the all they had to give up was a conditional draft pick. Re-acquiring Brent Sopel for a second- and fourth-round draft pick should also enhance team chemistry heading into the playoffs. 3. St. Louis Blues: After years of mediocrity, the Blues sent away two of the biggest relics of the old NHL for an unbelievable bounty. Giving up Keith Tkachuk and Bill Guerin for Ville Nieminen, Glen Metropolit, and a prospect is good enough news, but the Blues also snagged a whole lot of draft picks as well. The Blues now own Atlanta’s 2007 first and third-round picks, as well as the Thrashers’ 2008 second- and conditional first-round picks. They also picked up San Jose’s 2007 first-round pick. 2. Detroit Red Wings: Picking up Todd Bertuzzi for two conditional draft picks was a steal. Even if the rugged winger doesn’t touch a puck this year, GM Ken Holland has minimized the team’s risk. 1. New York Islanders: Ryan Smyth is exactly the type of leader that the suddenly surging Islanders needed to take them deep into the playoffs. And the minor cost of Robert Nilsson, Ryan O’Marra, and a first-round pick was well worth the price for Smyth’s experience. Picking up another veteran, Richard Zednik, for a second-round pick is making first-year GM Garth Snow look like he’s been through trade deadlines for years. The top 5 losers 5. Edmonton Oilers: Kevin Lowe could have received much more for Smyth had he traded him to a Western conference rival. However, the deal will look much better should Smyth come back and sign with Edmonton as a free agent in the summer. 4. Toronto Maple Leafs: For a team that is decimated by injuries, only acquiring Yanic Perreault (again!) and a fifth-round pick for Brendon Bell and a 2008 second-rounder isn’t exactly showing their fans that they are serious about contending this year. Worse, Gary Roberts was available, picketing to be traded to Toronto, and was the most talented player to skate with Mats Sundin in the last five years. 3. Colorado Avalanche: The lack of any real activity from the Avalanche may cause them to miss the playoffs for the first time in their history. Not trading Jose Theodore and picking up goalie Michael Wall for Brad May makes their plight even worse. 2. Phoenix Coyotes: Despite a fire sale of multiple players, the Coyotes failed to bolster their current lineup or stockpile future draft picks. This is proof that besides Shane Doan, the only part of Winnipeg left in the Coyotes is their inability to manage a hockey club successfully. 1. Montreal Canadians: In the middle of a playoff race, Montreal failed to make any moves that would upgrade their roster. This lack of activity should cost Les Habitants a trip to the playoffs.


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