March 7, 2009
Winners, losers and in-betweens at the NHL trade deadline

[Chicago, IL] -- With a couple days to soak in what took place during on this season's NHL trade deadline, it's time to evaluate how every team did:

Anaheim: Ducks GM Bob Murray refused to cave in to low-ball offers for Chris Pronger, who has one year left on his contract, but they didn't stop there. The trades of Chris Kunitz, Travis Moen and Samuel Pahlsson in return for Ryan Whitney, James Wisniewski, three prospects and a conditional fourth-round draft pick give them a head start on the future.

Calgary: Olli Jokinen and Jordan Leopold put the Flames on the short list of Stanley Cup contenders. The price was reasonable: Matthew Lombardi, Lawrence Nycholat and first- and second-round draft picks.

Columbus: The Blue Jackets secured a top six forward in Antoine Vermette then covered for the loss of goalie Pascual Leclaire with the addition of Kevin Lalande, who arrived from Calgary in return for a fourth-round draft choice.

Edmonton: In separate deals, the Oilers moved Erik Cole as planned and picked up Ales Kotalik, Patrick O'Sullivan and a second-round draft pick. Kotalik will start on the top line.

Ottawa: In Leclaire, the Senators may have found a legitimate No. 1 goaltender finally. They also picked up a second-round draft choice in the trade that set Antoine Vermette to Columbus.

Pittsburgh: The Whitney-for-Kunitz trade could be a steal if add-on Eric Tangradi lives up to his potential. And a mid-ground draft pick was a small price to pay for Bill Guerin even if he heads elsewhere after the season.

Phoenix: With an eye on the future, the Coyotes unloaded Daniel Carcillo, Olli Jokinen and Derek Morris in return for five young players Nigel Dawes, Dmitri Kalinin, Matthew Lombardi, Petr Prucha and Scottie Ushall plus first- and second-round draft picks.

Losers

Buffalo: The Sabres acquired Dominic Moore and Mikael Tellqvist, but it wasn't enough for a team on the playoff bubble.

Chicago: Samuel Pahlsson offers Stanley Cup experience, but the 31-year-old doesn't fill a need for physical grit in the middle. He was a minus-15 with the Ducks this season. The months-long attempt to move Nikolai Khabibulin was unsuccessful, and the free agent is almost certain to leave without compensation after the season.

Colorado: Unable to move Milan Hejduk or Ryan Smyth, the Avalanche had to settle for Leopold instead.

Dallas: The Lone Trade State acquired Steve Begin, the human white flag for a team on the decline.

Detroit: The Red Wings opted not to address their goaltender situation, which could sabotage their Stanley Cup repeat chances.

Florida: The Panthers asked a lot for soon-to-be free agent Jay Bouwmeester and got nothing instead. If his team doesn't qualify for the playoffs and Bouwmeester bolts after the season. GM Jacques Martin will have a lot to explain here.

Los Angeles: One minor deal doesn't cut it for a team that will sit out the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

Minnesota: The Wild came up short in the Jokinen sweepstakes, and as a result, expect them to fall short in the playoff race as well.

Montreal: The Canadiens inquired about Bouwmeester, among others, but they were reluctant to trade the future for the present.

Nashville: Trade deadline? Uh, the Predators were informed about the trade deadline, weren't they?

New York Islanders: A much-publicized Guerin blockbuster never materialized, after which they dumped him at less than market value.

Philadelphia: Because of salary-cap limitations, the Flyers could do no better than Carcillo and Kyle McLaren, neither of whom figure to make an impact.

St. Louis: Despite what team president John Davidson called several reasonable offers for veteran Keith Tkachuk, the front office decided to stand pat with a young team that is at least one year away from the playoffs.

Vancouver: Was close to a Bouwmeester deal but no cigar.

Washington: The Capitals inquired about Bouwmeester and Pronger but to no avail. Does this team have what it takes for an extended postseason drive?

In-betweens

Atlanta: Acquired Anssi Salmela and second- and third-round draft picks in return for veterans Niclas Havelid and Mathieu Schneider, but should Ilya Kovalchuk also have been moved before he walks out the free-agent door?

Boston: Made a good deal to get Recchi and a second-rounder from the Lightning but failed to fill its need for an established defensemen.

Carolina: Cole will have to be plenty good to justify his price tag -- O'Sullivan, Justin Williams and a second-round draft pick.

New Jersey: The Devils added a competent defenseman in Havelid, but a lack of depth up front could be a concern come playoff time.

New York Rangers: Nik Antropov, who could do wonders for their power play. Morris didn't come cheaply -- Nigel Dawes, Dmitri Kalinin and Petr Prucha -- but his physical presence was needed on the back line. Sooner or later, Sean Avery will be subtraction by addition, though.

San Jose: The Sharks had no urgent needs to speak of, but the additions of Kent Huskins and Travis Moen showed they're serious about a Stanley Cup run.

Tampa Bay: Was able to unload Recchi for two prospects but found no takers for Martin St. Louis, whose value might never be higher than it is now.

Toronto: GM Brian Burke didn't land the first-round draft pick that he wanted for Antropov, but he did well to get a second-rounder for Moore. Overall, the Maple Leafs picked up a pair of second-rounders, a fourth-rounder and a conditional pick in the 2009 draft in deals that also included Richard Petiot.

Based in Chicago, Paul Ladewski is a Columnist with TheFourthPeriod.com, covering the NHL.