Today was the trade deadline in the NHL; the last day in the season players can be swapped amongst clubs. No transfer fees exchange hands since all the players contracts are centrally owned by the league rather than the clubs themselves. Clubs must take over the contract of the players they want; if they end up exceeding the salary cap, other players must move out. If you want a star player, you have to send more players (and possible draft picks) back the other way to sweeten the loss of the other side. And rather like the equivalent day in the football calendar back home, everything happens in the last three or four hours before the deadline.
Oddly enough, this season the biggest mover (and undoubtedly the biggest winner) are the Calgary Flames themselves. Calgary have been missing a elite centreman all season, and I woke this morning to the Olli-Jokinen-to-Calgary story again. This trade has been dug up three or four years in a row apparently, but Flames coach Mike Keenan knew Jokinen well from his time as coach and GM in Florida. Today the deal actually happened; from the nearly bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes come Jokinen and a 3rd round pick at the June draft-day. Going the other way are Matt Lombardi, Brandon Prust and a conditional first round pick in either 2009 or 2010. Sad that Lombardi has to leave, he gives his all, is the team's fastest skater by some distance and is an excellent penalty killer. Prust is never more than a 4th-line grinder and can be easily replaced.
Also coming in is defenceman Jordan Leopold from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Lawrence Nycholat (picked up on waivers from Vancouver yesterday), prospect Ryan Wilson, and this summer's second round draft pick. The Flames now have real depth on defence; Adam Pardy, enjoying a fine debut season is now shunted down to 7th or 8th place on the depth chart (generally only six defenders dress for a game), though he will probably still get ice time during the current injury crisis as Jim Vandermeer plays forward. Leopold will probably play on the second powerplay unit. Jokinen adds strength and goalscoring to the centre position, and the teams four centres now (when fit) sort themselves out; Jokinen on the top forward line, Langkow on the second line, Conroy on the third and Dustin Boyd on the fourth. Lundmark can be called up from the AHL where necessary.
Jokinen's signing probably now means no Cammalleri beyond the summer, seeing as Jokinen's $5.25M a year contract takes the Flames perilously close to the salary cap for next season. Yes, Aucoin's $4M a year contract millstone will come off the books, but GM Darryl Sutter has to resign David Moss, Leopold (if he is staying and not a rental player), Todd Bertuzzi and Boyd who are all free agents in the summer. Still, Jokinen's goals replace those of Cammalleri's long term, and Sutter can work his magic on the free agency market again this summer. If the incoming players this summer are anything like the quality of Bourque, Glencross and Cammalleri, then you won't here the Sea (or is it 'C' ? I can never tell) Of Red complaining.
Do these trades elevate the Flames to the elite level of Detroit and San Jose? Possibly not. Still a little weak at back-up goalie, and the current injuries are worrisome. But it makes it very hard to see past the top 4 in the Western Conference to win the Cup itself. Can anyone from the Eastern Conference win a best of 7 against the Wings, Sharks, Flames or Blackhawks? I don't think they can.
Oddly enough, this season the biggest mover (and undoubtedly the biggest winner) are the Calgary Flames themselves. Calgary have been missing a elite centreman all season, and I woke this morning to the Olli-Jokinen-to-Calgary story again. This trade has been dug up three or four years in a row apparently, but Flames coach Mike Keenan knew Jokinen well from his time as coach and GM in Florida. Today the deal actually happened; from the nearly bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes come Jokinen and a 3rd round pick at the June draft-day. Going the other way are Matt Lombardi, Brandon Prust and a conditional first round pick in either 2009 or 2010. Sad that Lombardi has to leave, he gives his all, is the team's fastest skater by some distance and is an excellent penalty killer. Prust is never more than a 4th-line grinder and can be easily replaced.
Also coming in is defenceman Jordan Leopold from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Lawrence Nycholat (picked up on waivers from Vancouver yesterday), prospect Ryan Wilson, and this summer's second round draft pick. The Flames now have real depth on defence; Adam Pardy, enjoying a fine debut season is now shunted down to 7th or 8th place on the depth chart (generally only six defenders dress for a game), though he will probably still get ice time during the current injury crisis as Jim Vandermeer plays forward. Leopold will probably play on the second powerplay unit. Jokinen adds strength and goalscoring to the centre position, and the teams four centres now (when fit) sort themselves out; Jokinen on the top forward line, Langkow on the second line, Conroy on the third and Dustin Boyd on the fourth. Lundmark can be called up from the AHL where necessary.
Jokinen's signing probably now means no Cammalleri beyond the summer, seeing as Jokinen's $5.25M a year contract takes the Flames perilously close to the salary cap for next season. Yes, Aucoin's $4M a year contract millstone will come off the books, but GM Darryl Sutter has to resign David Moss, Leopold (if he is staying and not a rental player), Todd Bertuzzi and Boyd who are all free agents in the summer. Still, Jokinen's goals replace those of Cammalleri's long term, and Sutter can work his magic on the free agency market again this summer. If the incoming players this summer are anything like the quality of Bourque, Glencross and Cammalleri, then you won't here the Sea (or is it 'C' ? I can never tell) Of Red complaining.
Do these trades elevate the Flames to the elite level of Detroit and San Jose? Possibly not. Still a little weak at back-up goalie, and the current injuries are worrisome. But it makes it very hard to see past the top 4 in the Western Conference to win the Cup itself. Can anyone from the Eastern Conference win a best of 7 against the Wings, Sharks, Flames or Blackhawks? I don't think they can.
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