Breaking Down Deadline Day

The 2012 NHL trade deadline passed at 3pm eastern, and it was a relatively quiet day. Deals were made on a hockey basis and the usual dumping of salary did not happen. Some interesting moves were made as both Stanley Cup finalists from last year made deals and Nashville was clearly a buyer.

Starting with the Vancouver Canucks, who made the most interesting deal with the Buffalo Sabres. The Canucks sent Cody Hodgson and prospect Alexander Sulzer to Buffalo in exchange for Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani. This deal has the potential to be good for both sides. Hodgson is having a good year with 16 goals and 33 points in 63 games and is the #1 or #2 center the Sabres so desperately need. Hodgson was stuck behind Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler on the depth chart and he is not a checking center. The Canucks received a big winger in Kassian, who was one of Buffalo's top prospects. Kassian plays with an edge and has good hands. With skill and the willingness to be physical, Kassian will mix it up and even drop the gloves once in awhile. Vancouver didn't have a player in their system with those unique attributes.

The Canucks also picked up Sami Pahlsson from Columbus for a prospect and a couple picks. Pahlsson makes sense now that Cody Hodgson has been traded and he is a typical 3rd line checking center. Everyone remembers the job Pahlsson did in the playoffs of 07 for Anaheim, if he can get close to that level for the Canucks, they became the favorite to win the cup.

The Boston Bruins picked up some blue line depth by acquiring Greg Zanon From Minnesota for Steven Kampfer, as well as Mike Mottau and forward Brian Rolston from the Islanders for a couple of minor leaguer's. It never hurts to have blue line depth in the playoffs and GM Peter Chiarelli commented that he wanted 8 NHL caliber defenders going into the playoffs.

The Nashville Predators added a couple of forwards for draft picks. The first trade of the day was acquiring Adrei Kostitsyn from Montreal for a 2nd round pick in 2013. This reunites the 2 Kostitsyn brothers and if Andrei can improve like Sergei did when he left Montreal, he could turn out to be a 30 goal scorer in this league. Paul Gaustad was also picked up from Buffalo for a 1st round pick in this summers draft. The Predators are clearly sending a message to defenceman Ryan Suter and Shea Weber that they are serious about contending and want to resign Suter (UFA) and Weber (RFA) to contract extensions before July 1st.

The only other trade worth mentioning is the Chicago Blackhawks acquiring defenceman Johnny Oduya from Winnipeg for a 2nd and 3rd round pick in 2013. This gives the Hawks a little more depth on their blueline, however their playoff chances lie with the injured Jonathan Toews and when he can return to the line up.

In all 15 trades were completed, the lowest number since the lockout, involving 31 players and 11 draft picks. The fact that Rick Nash is still a Columbus Blue Jacket, and GM Scott Howson threw him under the bus after the deadline passed, will be an interesting saga between now and the NHL entry draft. Scott Howson told the media in a press conference that Rick Nash asked for the Jackets to explore trade options. Howson said he would try to accommodate the request only if he could get cornerstone pieces in return that will help the club win a championship. There rest of the season was already going to be a bit of a distraction in Columbus and now it will be a little worse after Howson's comments.

- Mike Lord

The Dominos Begin To Fall

On the 23^rd day of February, the Trade Dominos started to fall, as The Columbus Blue Jackets traded Jeff Carter to the L.A Kings for Jack Johnson (not the musician) and a conditional 1^st Round Draft pick. Your move Glen Sather !!

With this move being made the Rick Nash trade rumors have caught fire, but hold on to your skates the name Dustin Brown has now jumped into the conversation. The 27 year old winger has now been made available by The Kings. Brown, this season has 14 Goals and 17 Assists in 61 games. The intrigue with Brown is twofold for the Rangers, he is a cheaper option both money wise and what would be asked for in return, and he is a perfect fit into the Rangers system. This is a player who in 574 career games has 155 goals and 181 assists, and at roughly 4 million dollars till 2013, that is about half of what you would pay Nash. The comparison in the games of Nash and Brown are vastly different. Where Nash is not known to be a very strong two way player, Brown is and to fit into the Rangers system that is key. Nash does not play very often if at all on the PK where Brown would. Overall yes Nash will score more offensively but Brown has scored 20 goals or more 3 times and had a career high, 33 goals in the 07-08 Season.  When you compare the two players, it becomes pretty clear that if Dustin Brown really is available, then Sather should pull the trigger on that deal right away. That deal could also open up a few other options for the Rangers instead of making just one big deal. A deal for Brown, not only can help this team now but with upcoming RFA’s like Brandon Prust, Marty Biron and Ruslan Fedetenko.  It also does not strap the team financially from pursuing big name Free Agents next season such as Alexander Semin, Ryan Suter or Zack Parise. With all this being said, 

Glen Sather knows there is no pressing need to jump the gun on a deal especially for Nash. It’s being said that he is waiting to see if the asking price for Nash comes down. If not then there is no reason to mortgage the future of the franchise for the talents of Rick Nash. Ranger fans need to just be patient and wait to see what happens. Don’t get call up in all the rumors no matter how frustrating they are, especially if your favorite player’s names are involved. No moves have been made to this point and the rumors will fly from now till the deadline passes on Monday at 3pm. It’s going to be an Interesting weekend in the NHL, so let the pieces fall where they may, and bring on the playoffs. 

- Joe Clewell

Blue Jackets versus Rangers Recap

It was another edge of your seat kind of game for the Rangers last night against the worst team in the NHL. In a game that the Rangers dominated throughout, 60 minutes was not enough.  It took just 22 seconds into the Overtime for Derek Stepan to net the game winner for the Blueshirts. Of course this game was not without its drama; at the end of the second period Michael Del Zotto scored what appeared to be the Rangers 3^rd goal, at the buzzer. After review by the NHL Office in Toronto, the goal was disallowed because they determined that even though the Arena clock showed that there was 00.1 left, the Official NHL clock showed time had expired. I have worked at MSG and other Arenas throughout the U.S and I can explain why this happens. The NHL has an office in every Arena, in that office there is a computer that is tied to the Scoreboard in the arena, via an internet connection. This connection always has a delay of 1-2 tenths of a second, which would explain why the NHL clock showed 0.00 and the arena clock showed 00.1. After the game coach Torts told the media, between periods he was shown a snapshot of the NHL’s official clock and that the right call was made. That left the game at 2-1 going into the third period.

The third period was much of the same physical play by the Rangers, but they were not able to get the puck past Columbus Goalie Steve Mason who had 32 saves for the game. So with the game still 2-1 and Columbus pulling their goalie for the extra skater with less than 2 minutes left in regulation, there was a faceoff in the Rangers zone. As if it was scripted, who else but Rick Nash, the Captain of Columbus, who has been the talk of Rangers fans all week, scored the game tying goal with 1:33 left in regulation. That goal of course prompted the unhappy MSG crowd to rain down the, “We Don’t Want You” chant towards Nash, who after the game said he understood the chant from the crowed because he is the opposition.

That game tying goal from Nash, led to the OT period, where off of a beautiful pass from Del Zotto, Stepan scored the game winner sending the Rangers to another victory and the MSG faithful home happy. The Rangers are now 19-7-2 good for 40 pts, at home this season which is their best start at home since the 95-96 season. Up next for the Blueshirts is a little road trip to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins Tuesday night and of course more crazy trade rumors.

By Joe Clewell

@Blueshirts10

Brian Burke's Toughest Trade Deadline

As fans of this great game we call hockey, it is this time of the year that we all get excited just like we did when it was Christmas morning at the age of 5, we just can't wait til the Big Day. Well my fans, with all the non-trade talk going on these past few days I feel this might be the slowest of all the trade deadlines we have ever seen.

I have had one blogger friend of mine mention that he can't put down his smartphone as his tweeter is going off every other second, as he might miss a trade mention or a block buster move or even better yet, a player missing practice (Oh know he has been traded!!, send out the hounds!).

You see I don't get into all that stuff and I can tell you right now most of the good reporters in the media line of work don't either. Oh for sure they have their cells on and the computer rigged up to the Sports shows but that's about it. They will be notified in due time if anyone is going anywhere anytime soon, you see all you are reading and listening to is speculation, dreams, fantasy trades that are developed by, ya you guessed it, the media.

We really can't blame them as this is their livelihood and they have to keep busy but come on, some of these 'make believe trades' that have surfaced are a joke, period.

Let's take today for instance. I heard the rumour (about the 5000 time now) that Columbus Blue Jacket player Rick Nash was heading to Toronto for (get this..) Schenn, Kulemin, Lupul and a 2nd pick. You have to be kidding right. If BB (Brian Burke twitter name) could pull that off without smirking in the background I would declare February 16th as Brian Burke Day from now on. But reality is that it will take a lot more to get Mr. Nash away from CB Jackets, I mean a lot more.

I have been following the Leafs and Burke for a while now and I really believe he wants to make the Big Trade but he knows it and we all should know it, that it won't happen. The reason why is they Leafs don't have enough in the 'kiddie' to make that splash. They don't have enough good players to make it work. Yes they would have enough cash and could work around the cap level but I'm telling you right now, they don't have enough steak to go with them potatoes, simple.

If they were just looking for a second or third line forward then yes they have it but for what Burke has put together these past few years I would be very surprised if he would 'blow' it up in one move. You have to remember to, Nash is a winger not a centre and that is what the Leafs need (and some other parts to but I digress).

What the Leafs fans really need to focus on is what this team really needs and that's secondary help. What I mean by this is secondary scoring, secondary defensive help and please someone stand up and tell me who the heck is suppose to me the number 1 goaltender for the Leafs, please anyone? because right now they don't have one.

The Leafs tendency is to gather up points in bunches, loose 3 go and win 4. Loose 2 go and win 3 and so on. Then they go into a tail spin where they can't do anything right, worry the heck out of their fans then get back on a winning streak and all things nice again in Leaf Land, it's true.

All this talk of making the trade now might never happen or it might happen more so closer to the draft or even in the summer, who really knows, we just have to sit and wait. In my humble opinion this is the area that Brian Burke must work on and work on it continuously so the Leafs can move up to the next level and join the Bruins, Red Wings, Rangers and Vancouver and really start focusing on the trip to the Stanley Cup finals or all Leaf fans will be waiting for another forty odd years to be at the dance!

Wait, wait a minute, this just in... Jeff Carter and a 3rd pick for Schenn, Kulemin and a 2nd rounder. Hey that might be just right!

Until Next Time,

See you after the Game.

Coach Nye

Blue Jackets Struggle Their Way Through Another Rough Season

The Columbus Blue Jackets had high hopes for this season with the off-season acquisitions of Jeff Carter and James Wisniewski.  Those hopes were quickly dashed as they got off to the worst start in franchise history (1-9-1).  They have been plagued with inconsistent play at all positions and have had a coaching change.  Scott Arniel was fired after the team sat 11-25-5 under him, since then interim Head Coach Todd Richards has shown some improvement as the team sits 6-9-1 under him. 

Why are they struggling so much?  The answer is simple; the players need to show up and preform every night and they just aren’t doing so.  One of those players is Blue Jackets starting Goaltender Steve Mason.  Mason (23) the former Canadian World Juniors gold medalist/ tournament MVP and 08-09 NHL rookie of the year has been inconsistent at best.   He blew everyone away a few years ago in his rookie season while capturing the Calder Trophy and Leading the Jackets to their first ever playoff appearance, but has yet to consistently recapture the magic.  He has been outplayed by the teams other goalie Curtis Sanford.  Mason is 7-20-2 with a 3.40 GAA and a .887 saves % while Sanford holds a record of 10-13-4 with a 2.52 GAA and a .915 saves %.  Sanford (32) who previous to this year hadn’t played in the NHL since 08-09, spent the past two seasons in the AHL with the Hamilton Bulldogs. 

Off-season acquisition Jeff Carter has also fell short of expectations.  Carter has Just 12 goals and 21 points so far and is a -9.  Carter (27) has been banged up from time to time and only played in 36 games and has yet to consistently look like the game-changer he was in Philadelphia.  He has been a 30+ goal scorer in each of the past three seasons and was a 46 goal scorer in 08-09.  He has shown glimpses of his old self such as his first period hat-trick against Nashville back in December but the same as Mason, has yet to consistently preform at the high level expected of him. 

The Blue Jackets have a lot of uncertainties.  Will team captain Rick Nash be traded or remain with the team after the trade deadline?  Who will be their Head Coach next season? Will Steve Mason ever recapture his rookie year magic?  One thing has become certain though, this will not be the year the Blue Jackets make their second playoff appearance.

--- Andrew Grimm   twitter @andrewgrimm39

Blue Jackets and Wild - A Tale of Two Cities - Doormats versus Champs

Parity is the name of the game in the new NHL.  Most teams got that memo and acted accordingly.  Two teams however were left off the list for the parity memo.  The Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild are  glowing examples that parity doesn't exist for everyone.

Columbus has been solidly at the bottom of the league all year.  Injuries and suspensions put these guys behind the eight ball from the get go and they never recovered.  The breakout year that never was has become an issue for the Blue Jackets.  Additions like Jeff Carter and James Wisniewski were supposed to make the team a competitor but mismanagement and bad luck have turned that plan on its head.  This has exposed Columbus' lack of depth.  When the injury bug hits or suspensions become an issue; there should be guys on the bench to pick up the slack.  Excuses are for recreational leagues and not the NHL.   The big question is why management has not taken steps to shake things up.  Respect for the fans is reflected in the product on the ice.  The talent is there in Columbus; coaching and vision are missing.  It will be interesting to see how the Blue Jackets rebound from this year. The first step in our book is a coaching or management change.

The Wild are the exact opposite of the Blue Jackets.  The obvious difference is their position in the standings but the real fundamental difference is the operational focus on a sound organization with real hockey men behind the scenes.  Head coach, Mike Yeo is the principal reason for the success of the Minnesota Wild.  The new coach has got the troops balanced and performing on cue.  The Wild are a mix of veterans and rookies and they find  a way to win even when it looks like they should be losing.  The rookies on the Wild played for Yeo in the minors and that continuity at the NHL level has paid off in spades for the big club.  Josh Harding and Dany Heatley are just two of the standouts for Minnesota.  When Josh Harding went down; Matt Hackett stepped in.  That's depth and team play.   It will be interesting to see how far the Wild can go with this year's addition.  We suspect you will see more fireworks from this group of players.  Confidence has a way of building and the only way these guys will come down the ranks is if they hit a supersized wall of injuries.