Vancouver Canucks trade Cody Hodgson and Alex Sulzer to Buffalo Sabres for Zack Kassian and Marc-Andrei Gragnani.
This is the biggest trade of the day, not only because no one saw it coming but also because both Hodgson and Kassian have the potential to be big stars in the NHL. Hodgson is near the top of the rookie of the year list with 16 goals and 33 points this year needed to get out from behind the Sedins and Ryan Kesler. In Buffalo he will be able to play top line minutes as a centre and he should continue to score and develop as a good young player. Kassian likely won't crack the line up this season but in the near future he will be a big strong body who can hit and score. His grit and aggressive play will be a welcome addition to the Canucks to 6. Gragnani also is valuable to Vancouver as he gives them another depth defenceman which will be important if they make a long playoff run. In case of an injury, Gragnani will be able to step in and be a solid fill in on the back end.
Toronto Maple Leafs trade Keith Aulie to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Carter Ashton
This trade was also one that won't be fully realized for a couple years but it has the potential to be big. Aulie is an big NHL ready defenceman who couldn't find a spot on Toronto. Tampa recently traded Pavel Kubina and Aulie will be able to fit right into his spot. Ashton is listed on multiple sites as the Lightnings top prospect. A first round pick in 2009, Ashton plays simialr to Kassian in that he is a big forward who can hit and score. The Leafs are hopping for him to one day be a regular in their top 6 as a forward that intimidates opponents.
Nashville Predators trade a 1st round pick to Buffalo Sabres for Paul Gaustad and a 4th round pick.
The Predators mean business and were the most aggressive team today. Many teams felt a 1st round pick was to expensive for Gaustad but just before the 3 o'clock deadline, the Preds pulled the trigger and made this trade. Gaustad is in the top 10 in the league at the face off circle and a big man who can kill penalties and hit. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer but for the time being he gives Nashville a big boost.
Nashville Predators trade 2nd and 5th round picks to Montreal Canadians for Andrei Kostitsyn
The first trade and for a long time the only trade of the day was another move by Nashville to add depth to their forwards. Kostitsyn is reunited with his brother Sergei who was traded from Montreal to Nashville a couple years ago and has seen his career turn around for the better there. Andrei can be a good secondary scorer and under the right circumstances can be a dominate forward. This is another good pickup by Nashville as they prepare themselves for a long playoff run.
Edmonton Oilers trade Tom Gilbert to Minnesota Wild for Nick Schultz
This trade was made to give both dressing rooms a shakeup. Gilbert and Schultz both play a solid defensive game and both provide stability on the back end for teams that are lacking that. Neither Schultz or Gilbert will make a big impact on their teams but they will not hinder them either. This was a pret balanced deal all around.
Vancouver Canucks trade two 4th round picks to Columbus Blue Jackets for Sami Pahlsson
Pahlsson was one of the more highly slaughter checking forwards today and in the end he went to Columbus. Between him and Manny Malholtra, Vancouver is very solid in the center position which is something they have always tried to have. Pahlsson was an important piece of the 2007 Anaheim Ducks playoff run and if he plays they way he did then, he is an excellent addition to the Canucks lineup.
Chicago Blackhawks trade a 2nd and a 3rd round pick to Winnipeg Jets for Johnny Oduya
The Blackhawks having been struggling for a month now and when it was clear no goalies were going to be moved today, they decided to upgrade their defence. Oduya is a solid stay at home defenceman who likely will see lots of ice time along Nick Hjalmarsson or Nick Leddy in the bottom pairing and on the penalty kill. He fits the Balckhawks' needs perfectly and will be an important factor if they go far in the playoffs.
San Jose Sharks trade Jamie McGinn, Michael Scarbossa and Mike Connolly to Colorado Avalanche for Daniel Winnik, TJ Gallerardi and a 7th round pick
This 5 player deal has some positives for both sides. Winnik and Gallerardi give the Sharks some more checking forwards and depth. They have struggled with getting contributions from their 3rd and 4th line forwards and these 2 players will help with that. McGinn will provide the same type of hockey to the Avs who with Steve Downie and David Jones already on their roster. Scarbossa is also an interesting piece as he currently is 2nd in OHL scoring with 83 points. I'm not sure if his offense will be able to remain strong in the NHL but if it does, he could be the dark horse of this trade.
Those were the 8 trades I felt will have the largest impact on the league as the season comes to a close. No big stars were traded but many depth and checking players were. Most of the other trades involved career minor leaguers and were done in order to clear roster space for the draft. I think I big reason activity was slow was because so many teams can still make the playoffs. Only 6 points separate 8th place and 12th place in the Eastern Conference while there is a 6 point spread in the west between 8th and 13th place. None f these teams wanted to sell off assets now that they still have a playoff chance and the teams that did, like acolumbus and Rick Nash, we're asking for to much and could not get a deal. With the deadline done, it is time to start preparing for the playoffs but with the standings so close there is a lot of exciting hockey before that.
Please make sure to check out my website, www.jbenny.com as well as to offer your thoughts below in the comments. You can follow me on Twitter at @jbenny15 or email me at josh@jbenny.com. Thanks for reading.
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