The teams that were interested in Hamrlik couldn't afford him, while McPhee kept trying to make a hockey deal, player for player.
"We would have added something to the team if we thought it would make us better, but it had to make us better. What transpired today, really there wasn't anything there that would have been the right thing for our club," McPhee told the Post. "Everyone seemed to want our players but they wanted to give us futures and prospects. I wasn't interested in doing that."
McPhee maintained that he was never "interested in moving anyone out" and considered it would have been a "mistake" to throw young players and prospects into deals that would put at risk the future of the franchise.
One of the biggest factors weighing on McPhee's decisions was the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the health of top center Nicklas Backstrom, who has been sidelined for the past 25 games with a concussion.
Backstrom was placed on the long-term injury reserve on Monday morning as an anticipatory move to allow for more room under the salary cap in case a significant trade presented itself.
Although no timetable has been established for Backstrom's return, McPhee still believes his team can still clinch a playoff spot with its current roster.
"Well, I certainly think we're capable of making the playoffs with this team right now," McPhee added. "If Nicky Backstrom came back, it certainly would improve our chances of being able to win a Cup. We can make the playoffs with this team. And if he comes back, we can beat anybody in this conference."
More Trade Deadline Info
List of Trades
| No-Trade/No-Movement Clauses
| Top 25 Available Players
| Team-by-Team Cap Info
