CFN – Some NHL General Managers are looking mighty good this morning. Steve Yzerman in Tampa Bay watched Ben Bishop notch a 45 save shut out for his Tampa Lighting in their 5-0 tromping of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jaromir Jagr scored the lone goal in Boston’s 1-0 victory over the Devils.
Marion Gaborik also led Columbus with his goal in their 3-1 win over the Predators.
Montreal defeated the Jets 4-1, but the team is now lilting on injuries and the deepening of the season. As we get closer to play off hockey the more the deficiencies in the team are showing which could be why GM Marc Bergevin didn’t succumb to any rental deals of consequence.
Coughing up two 2nd rounders for a player that can be gone mighty soon is not a great idea unless that player is going to deliver you an extra round or two of play off time. PK Subban for example was a 2nd round draft pick and yes, while draft can be a crap shoot, teams that draft well and know how to develop their talent consistently will tell you the draft is no 6/49 contest.
And with parity in the NHL and teams locking up their own talent, Free Agency is not the solution it once was. The cap also makes trading a bit more challenging.
Looking at the trade deadline was very interesting.
New Columbus GM Jarmo Kekäläinen landed a star player to replace Rick Nash. Nash who was traded to NY for Marion Gaborik seems to curse the teams he’s playing on in the NHL as the Rangers woes this year have been surprising. The Rangers are fighting just to make the play offs when many expected them to be leading the pack. Gaborik did not perform up to his standards with Nash on the club and his salary ended him with a one way ticket to Columbus where he scored his first night.
Jarmo shuffled up his deck landing his new star while dumping a talented yet underperforming player in Derrick Brassard, pug Derek Dorsett, and 2009 1st rounder John Moore. He got rid of Steve Mason for Mike Leighton and a 3rd which was a pretty darn good return. He picked up Blake Comeau for a 5th as well as grabbing goalie Patrick Kileen from Pittsburgh.
Sens GM Bryan Murray made the best deal of the day in grabbing another pest in Cory Conacher and a 4th for Goalie Ben Bishop. Bishop may end up being a starting goalie in the NHL, but Ottawa already has two top caliber studs in net. Young feisty top six forwards are hard to get and usually very expensive. Trading a surplus and filling a void are always great things to do. The extra draft pick is the cherry on top!
Buffalo GM Darcy Regnier cleaned house and stocked up the cupboards draft picks and prospects. Gone is captain Jason Pominville for a 1st round pick, 2nd the next year and two prospects. The Wild clearly must think that this is their year to over pay but Buffalo reaps the reward.
Getting two more 2nd round picks from LA for Robyn Regehr was also a huge return. Jordan Leopold for a 2nd and 5th also was good asset management.
Some of the deadline deals simply didn’t make sense. Why buy high unless it’s for something you couldn’t normally get?
What do you think hockey fans? Did your team make the right move forward? Did they sit idle like Edmonton? You can post your comments below.
