I did not know that the NHL trade deadline was moved up to February 18th. Yesterday, we saw a flurry of deals and big names like Tomas Kaberle, Erik Johnson, Eric Brewer, Ian White, and more all on the move. I am going to break down the deals and give my winners and losers.
Kaberle suiting up for his first game as a Bruin friday night
TO BOSTON: Tomas Kaberle
TO TORONTO: Joe Colborne, BOS 1st rounder (2011), and conditional 2nd rounder (2012)
After years of speculation Kaberle has finally been moved. The second all time scoring defenseman in Leafs history played his first game with Boston last night donning number 12. Kaberle has 3 goals and 28 points with a minus 2 rating as a bud this season. In exchange the Leafs acquire Boston’s 2008, first round pick (16th overall) Joe Colborne. Colborne has played the past season with the Providence Bruins recording 26 points in 55 games. Joe has towering size at 6’5 at jsut 21 years of age and has the potential to be a first line power forward in the NHL. Toronto also gets Boston’s 2011 first round pick this year and a conditional 2012 second rounder (please note: the 2011 first round pick is not Toronto’s pick that they originally trade to Boston for Phil Kessel). The conditional 2012 second round pick is if the Bruins make it to the Stanley Cup finals or if Tomas Kaberle re-signs with Boston.
Winner: I love what Brian Burke has done here. As much as he has f’ed up Leafland time and time again, it seems as though he finally understands what it means to rebuild a hockey club. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Versteeg deal, the Beacheman trade only had minimal gains, but trading away Kaberle was a solid move. Kaberle is a pending UFA and doesn’t fit into Burkes long term plans. The Leafs milked all they could out of Boston GM,Peter Charelli. But at the end of the day, the Bruins got the better player in the deal and still hold Toronto’s 2011 first rounder.
TO COLORADO: E. Johnson, J. McClement, and a conditional 1st rounder
TO ST. LOUIS: C. Stewart, K. Shattenkirk, and a conditional 2nd rounder
I think this trade caught everyone off guard. I don’t think anyone could have predicted this deal. Both the Aves and the Blues were involved in multiple trades Friday including this deal. Erik Johnson who was drafted 1st overall by the Blues in 2006 was thought to be the cornerstone of the franchise. He and Jay McCelment will be donning the Avalanche uniforms for the first time alongside Brian Elliot, who also was acquired by Colorado friday. On the other side of the transaction, Chris Stewart was the major piece. Stewart, like Johnson, was drafted in 2006 and just broke out in last year into a bonafide top six forward. He scored 28 times last year in 77 games and has lit the lamp 13 times this year in just 36 games. Kevin Shattenkirk was the other part of the package heading off to the city of Blues. Shattenkirk is just 22 years old and already played 46 games this year in his rookie season.
Winner: I think Colorado won this deal. As much as it is tough giving up Stewart and Shattenkirk, Johnson is a player they can build there blueline around. Duchene, Johnson, Stastny, and O’Reilly are a solid young core to build around for the future. Not to mention the get another first round pick this year (unless it is a top ten pick then it is in 2012).
TO TAMPA BAY: Eric Brewer
TO ST. LOUIS: Brock Beukeboom and a third round pick (2011)
St. Louis GM, Doug Armstrong’s phones were ringing constantly on friday. Armstrong traded Brewer to T-Bay, as yet another defensemen was on the move. Brewer, who was the captain of the Blues, has played some of his best hockey as of late. Eric is a pending UFA and was expected to get moved. Tampa Bay is weak on the back end and Brewer could help them out tremendously for a playoff bid. Brock Beukeboom was a 3rd round pick of the Bolts in the 2010 entry draft and is a solid defensive d-man.
Winner: Tampa Bay won this deal. They essentially gave up nothing to loan Brewer for the rest of the year and have a chance to re-sign him. I really like what Steve Yzerman is doing with the Lightning. The Bolts are heading in the right direction.
Ian White will join his third team this year, as he is now a member of the Sharks
TO SAN JOSE: Ian White
TO CAROLINA: SJ second round pick (2011)
The defenseman dominos kept falling as White was dealt from the Hurricanes out west to San Jose. This is a great move for the Sharks. SJ Sharks are extremely weak on the back end and could use all the help they could get. White is now going to play on his third team this year as he heads out west. Ian White started the season with the Flames when was dealt alongside Brett Sutter by D’utter to Carolina for Tom Kostopoulus and Anton Babchuk. As Carolina is struggling to make the playoffs, they dealt away Ian White who is set to become a UFA at the end of the year.
Winner: I think it was smart of the Hurricanes to deal away White for something rather then lose him on July the first. They were able squeak out a second round from San Jose. Ultimately SJ Sharks won this deal. The Sharks need help on the blue line and White will help out the situation.
Other deals around the NHL had Boston sending Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart to Atlanta, while Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik were sent to Beantown. Craig Anderson was sent out east to Ottawa for Brian Elliot. Finally Derek Joslin was sent from San Jose to Carolina for future considerations (not related to the White deal).
Blakyce and The Canuck Kid 