It's time to recognize the offensive-minded defencemen

I just finished skimming through my latest issue of The Hockey News, and I am intrigued by one of the statements I read. I'll paraphrase: 'Mike Green of the Washington Capitals is having a stellar year offensively, but he probably won't win the Norris trophy. It is time that the NHL introduced an award to recognize the offensive-minded defencemen.'
And you know what? I couldn't agree more. They need to be recognized. Otherwise they most likely [ not in all cases] will not win a major award, since there aren't many defencemen who win the Art Ross or Hart trophy anymore.

Is it time to introduce the 'Robert G. Orr' trophy?

Winning a record eight Norris Trophies as the league's best defenceman, Orr is often credited for revolutionizing his position. He remains the only defenceman to have won the league scoring title with two Art Ross Trophies and holds the record for most points and assists in a single-season by a defenceman.

Let's start rewarding our scoring defencemen.

[While we're on the subject, what about a trophy for assists?]

Future free agents could be players most likely to move at deadline

By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Staff Writer

Some are big-ticket items, while others are just role players. Some even are healthy scratches. However, it's rare to find a pending UFA who is shielded from trade talk.
Let the debates begin…

CHICAGO -- Martin Havlat, Nikolai Khabibulin, Craig Adams, Matt Walker, Aaron JohnsonThe big names in this mix are Havlat and Khabibulin, so let's start there.Khabibulin, currently on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, has been rumored to be heading out of the Windy City since Cristobal Huet signed a four-year contract with the Blackhawks over the summer. However, 60 games into the season, Khabibulin isn't just still in Chicago, he's been splitting time with Huet for most of the season and could very well turn into the Blackhawks' No. 1 option heading into the playoffs. So with that in mind, it's probably unlikely you see Khabibulin playing for another team next week, but one never knows. Huet has been good as well this season, and the Hawks have a pair of young goalies -- Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford -- waiting in the wings. Niemi is with the club now, serving as Huet's backup.Havlat is another interesting case. Hawks General Manager Dale Tallon reportedly has started work on contract negotiations with the Czech winger, who has managed to stay healthy and productive all season.Upsetting the apple cart at this point in the season for a team that envisions itself a Stanley Cup contender probably is not the best course of action, so Havlat, too, likely will still be with the Hawks after the trade deadline passes. He could fetch a decent return, though.

COLUMBUS -- Michael Peca, Manny Malhotra, Jason Williams, Christian Backman, Wade DubielewiczIf anything, the Jackets likely would be buyers at the deadline, so don't expect much movement from their UFAs. Than again, GM Scott Howson has stated that he definitely would like to find a No. 1 center to play with Rick Nash, so perhaps nothing is out of the realm of possibility.Columbus traded for Williams earlier in the season, so he's probably safe. Dubielewicz is the only backup goalie they have with NHL experience, and considering the starter is a rookie (Steve Mason), you have to figure Howson, who plucked Dubielewicz off waivers earlier this season, would not be inclined to move him.Peca, Malhotra and Backman are keys to the Jackets' depth, but if any of them could be moved in a deal for a better center to play with Nash, you have to think Howson would listen. That, though, probably is unlikely.

DETROIT -- Marian Hossa, Johan Franzen, Mikael Samuelsson, Tomas Kopecky, Darren McCarty, Aaron Downey, Chris Chelios, Ty ConklinIf they get there, Hossa and Franzen will be two of the biggest names on the market July 1. Detroit GM Ken Holland is doing all he can to not let that happen, though, so you know they are not on the market at this season's trade deadline.
Conklin isn't going anywhere, either. He signed a one-year deal this summer and with Chris Osgood struggling, Conklin could wind up as the Wings' No. 1 option heading into the playoffs.That leaves Samuelsson, Kopecky, McCarty, Downey and Chelios. It would be a surprise if any of them got moved, though -- I mean, do the Red Wings think they need to get better?Sure, if a deal presents itself -- like Brad Stuart for draft picks at last season's deadline -- the Wings would jump on it. However, if anything they're looking to add again at the deadline, not subtract from their NHL depth.

NASHVILLE -- Steve Sullivan, Radek Bonk, Vern Fiddler, Scott Nichol, Joel Ward, Jed Ortmeyer, Greg DeVries, Greg Zanon, Ville KoistenenThe Predators are in a predicament. They're not in a playoff spot yet like Columbus, but they aren't too far out, either. They have two more games before the deadline to figure out if they're going to be buyers or sellers, or just stand pat with the team they have.Of the names listed here, Koistenen probably is the most likely to move. Since he's a young, puck-moving defenseman he also may be able to fetch a decent return, be it in draft picks, prospects or perhaps even an NHL-ready player. Koistenen, in fact, has even played some forward lately. He earned 5:16 of ice time at wing Tuesday in Chicago.Koistinen, 26, reportedly has asked management to consider trading him, and GM David Poile admitted that he is looking for a match. Koistinen has been a healthy scratch for half of Nashville's games this season.Zanon is another player some teams might be interested in. He's a reliable, stay-at-home defenseman who is a plus player this season. He's not flashy, but could add something to a contending team. De Vries has won a Stanley Cup before, and since he's 36 years old any team that acquires him wouldn't feel obligated to sign him long-term.Sullivan is working his way back into the lineup after a nearly two-year layoff, and based on the patience Nashville already has shown in him, why would they move him now?
Bonk, who will be out at least another week with an upper-body injury, has the potential to help a contending team as a depth forward who can win faceoffs.Although Ward is 28 years old, he's been impressive in what is really his rookie season. The Predators probably would consider signing him in the offseason considering it won't cost too much and he wouldn't fetch much in return at the deadline.

ST. LOUIS -- Keith Tkachuk, Dan Hinote, Brad Winchester, Mike Weaver, Manny LegaceSt. Louis comes last on our list because, if you haven't figured it out by now, we've gone in alphabetical order. However, the Blues arguably are the most interesting Central Division team at the deadline because of whom they have and where they stand.Are they a legitimate threat to make the playoffs this season? If so, Tkachuk isn't going anywhere. If not, expect him to be shipped out sometime before 3 p.m. ET on March 4 to a contending team that likely will offer the Blues a package of draft picks and/or prospects in return.The Blues, who moved within three points of a playoff spot Thursday night, have two more games to figure out their plans at the deadline. Win both and they are right in the thick of the playoff race. Lose both, and it's likely good-bye Tkachuk. Split and, "Oh baby," Blues President John Davidson will be saying, "what now?"He said it -- Blues President John Davidson on his team's predicament: "It's a tough spot, but I like the tough spot. It's better than being so many points out that it's an easy decision. We've had so many injuries this year that most people in their right minds, including me, thought it would be very difficult for this team to get anywhere near the .500 mark. We get up (Wednesday) morning, looked at the standings, we're .500. I credit what our coaches and players have done. We've got a good thing going on in St. Louis. Remember, we have to sell hockey in the city of St. Louis and surrounding areas. Right now they're on board with us with the way we've gone about our business, the way we're playing hard, the way we've been entertaining, the way we don't die in games, the way our young kids are improving. We're going in the right direction."

Things that make you go hmm...

By Larry Wigge

Columbus' 4-3 victory against St. Louis put the Blue Jackets six games over .500 for the first time in team history. ... The Anaheim Ducks are now 14-18-2 overall since Dec. 1 and out of a playoff spot. ... Pity all of those fantasy-league types who dropped the Kings' Anze Kopitar earlier this season when his statistics dropped off while new coach Terry Murray was making him into a better all-round player. Now look at him: Six points in two games, 7 goals and 11 points in seven games and 8 goals and 15 points in his last 12 games. ... That famous elbow that Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom rested during the All-Star weekend that cost him a one-game suspension seems to be feeling better now. How else can you explain a pair of two-goal games for Nick -- the first time he's had two two-goal games in a span of 30 days ever? ... Why does it not come as a surprise that Mike Babcock's 200th win in 304 games behind the Detroit bench is the fastest 200 wins for one team by any coach in history (Scotty Bowman previously won 200 games in Montreal in his first 328 games)? ... Rangers winger Nigel Dawes really, really hates his closest rivals -- the Devils and Islanders. Ten of his 24 regular-season goals have come against the Devils and Islanders (five against each opponent), while he's had only 14 goals in 93 games against the rest of the NHL. ... After playing in 619 of his first 629 regular-season NHL games, Dallas center Brad Richards now has to watch for 6-8 weeks while his broken right wrist heals. He says watching captain Brenden Morrow rehab his knee like a madman for a return sometime in the playoffs is ample reason to follow the team's leader and make the most of lost time. ... You can tell Marty Brodeur will be ready for what appears to be his first start (Feb. 26 against Colorado) when he says this about his surgically repaired biceps, "Maybe with that new arm, I'll be able to shoot it harder." ... Isn't it interesting how a good coach like Joel Quenneville can switch a player like Troy Brouwer from center to left wing on a line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane and the threesome can seamlessly look as good if not better than it did before Patrick Sharp injured his knee (an injury that is expected to keep him out three weeks)? ... Now that Calgary center Matthew Lombardi is gaining confidence offensively, look out. With his speed and the speed of other second-tier scorers Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross, the Calgary Flames figure to be an even greater offensive threat down the stretch. ... Is it me or doesn't it seem strange that the Minnesota Wild have yet to get free-agent-to-be goaltender Nicklas Backstrom re-signed? Every save has shown Nick is clearly the Wild's MVP -- and each save rings like a cash register to me. ... With 10 home games in February, wouldn't you think the Nashville Predators would be jumping with enthusiasm for the chance to get back into the top eight in the Western Conference? They went 2-2-0 in their first four home games this month and needed shootouts to win those two. ... Chris Mason says he will only look at being No. 1 goaltender for the St. Louis Blues from game to game, not a permanent title, because replacing Tomas Vokoun in Nashville last season didn't go exactly the way he wanted. Regardless of his superstition, Mason had a 7-2-3 record, 1.56 goals-against average and .942 save percentage in his first 12 games after wrestling the share of the goaltending load away from Manny Legace. ... You do the math: Colorado is 2-0 in overtime and 8-1 in shootouts, an astonishing accomplishment for a team that is 27-30-1. ... It must be like working on a Masters degree for Florida forwards Stephen Weiss and Gregory Campbell. Both learned their trade in junior hockey player for Peter DeBoer. Now that DeBoer is behind the Panthers bench both are playing even better. ... Seeing Travis Zajac's breakout year for the Devils this season might make some wonder about another former North Dakota University first-round pick -- Buffalo's Drew Stafford. Don't worry about Drew, he's had 9 goals and 9 assists in 21 games since the turn of the new year. His 17 goals are a career-high that will someday approach 30. ... You've got to feel for Carolina winger Justin Williams, who scored 31 and 33 goals in 2005-06 and '06-07 but injuries limited him to 37 games last season and he won't get in that many games this season because of another injury. ... It's nice to see Ryan Shannon getting another chance at the NHL. Isn't it interesting how minor-league coaches elevated to the bigs sometimes know players better than the NHL team? Shannon netted two goals playing the point on the Senators' power play for his former Binghamton coach Cory Clouston against Colorado on Feb. 17. ... You don't have to look further than the Josh Bailey-Kyle Okposo-Blake Comeau line to see some brightness in the future of the New York Islanders. ... With the trade of Mathieu Schneider to Montreal, Zach Bogosian and Nathan Oystrick are the young defensemen who figure to get the first opportunity to show off their offensive abilities on the Atlanta Thrashers power play.

Things that make you go hmm...

By Larry Wigge

Columbus' 4-3 victory against St. Louis put the Blue Jackets six games over .500 for the first time in team history. ... The Anaheim Ducks are now 14-18-2 overall since Dec. 1 and out of a playoff spot. ... Pity all of those fantasy-league types who dropped the Kings' Anze Kopitar earlier this season when his statistics dropped off while new coach Terry Murray was making him into a better all-round player. Now look at him: Six points in two games, 7 goals and 11 points in seven games and 8 goals and 15 points in his last 12 games. ... That famous elbow that Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom rested during the All-Star weekend that cost him a one-game suspension seems to be feeling better now. How else can you explain a pair two-goal games for Nick -- the first time he's had two two-goal games in a span of 30 days ever? ... Why does it not come as a surprise that Mike Babcock's 200th win in 304 games behind the Detroit bench is the fastest 200 wins for one team by any coach in history (Scotty Bowman previously won 200 games in Montreal in his first 328 games)? ... Rangers winger Nigel Dawes really, really hates his closest rivals -- the Devils and Islanders. Ten of his 24 regular-season goals have come against the Devils and Islanders (five against each opponent), while he's had only 14 goals in 93 games against the rest of the NHL. ... After playing in 619 of his first 629 regular-season NHL games, Dallas center Brad Richards now has to watch for 6-8 weeks while his broken right wrist heals. He says watching captain Brenden Morrow rehab his knee like a madman for a return sometime in the playoffs is ample reason to follow the team's leader and make the most of lost time. ... You can tell Marty Brodeur will be ready for what appears to be his first start (Feb. 26 against Colorado) when he says this about his surgically repaired biceps, "Maybe with that new arm, I'll be able to shoot it harder." ... Isn't it interesting how a good coach like Joel Quenneville can switch a player like Troy Brouwer from center to left wing on a line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane and the threesome can seamlessly look as good if not better than it did before Patrick Sharp injured his knee (an injury that is expected to keep him out three weeks)? ... Now that Calgary center Matthew Lombardi is gaining confidence offensively, look out. With his speed and the speed of other second-tier scorers Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross, the Calgary Flames figure to be an even greater offensive threat down the stretch. ... Is it me or doesn't it seem strange that the Minnesota Wild have yet to get free-agent-to-be goaltender Nicklas Backstrom re-signed? Every save has shown Nick is clearly the Wild's MVP -- and each save rings like a cash register to me. ... With 10 home games in February, wouldn't you think the Nashville Predators would be jumping with enthusiasm for the chance to get back into the top eight in the Western Conference? They went 2-2-0 in their first four home games this month and needed shootouts to win those two. ... Chris Mason says he will only look at being No. 1 goaltender for the St. Louis Blues from game to game, not a permanent title, because replacing Tomas Vokoun in Nashville last season didn't go exactly the way he wanted. Regardless of his superstition, Mason had a 7-2-3 record, 1.56 goals-against average and .942 save percentage in his first 12 games after wrestling the share of the goaltending load away from Manny Legace. ... You do the math: Colorado is 2-0 in overtime and 8-1 in shootouts, an astonishing accomplishment for a team that is 27-30-1. ... It must be like working on a Masters degree for Florida forwards Stephen Weiss and Gregory Campbell. Both learned their trade in junior hockey player for Peter DeBoer. Now that DeBoer is behind the Panthers bench both are playing even better. ... Seeing Travis Zajac's breakout year for the Devils this season might make some wonder about another former North Dakota University first-round pick -- Buffalo's Drew Stafford. Don't worry about Drew, he's had 9 goals and 9 assists in 21 games since the turn of the new year. His 17 goals are a career-high that will someday approach 30. ... You've got to feel for Carolina winger Justin Williams, who scored 31 and 33 goals in 2005-06 and '06-07 but injuries limited him to 37 games last season and he won't get in that many games this season because of another injury. ... It's nice to see Ryan Shannon getting another chance at the NHL. Isn't it interesting how minor-league coaches elevated to the bigs sometimes know players better than the NHL team? Shannon netted two goals playing the point on the Senators' power play for his former Binghamton coach Cory Clouston against Colorado on Feb. 17. ... You don't have to look further than the Josh Bailey-Kyle Okposo-Blake Comeau line to see some brightness in the future of the New York Islanders. ... With the trade of Mathieu Schneider to Montreal, Zach Bogosian and Nathan Oystrick are the young defensemen who figure to get the first opportunity to show off their offensive abilities on the Atlanta Thrashers power play.

AO's performance makes others pale in comparison

By Larry Wigge - NHL.com Columnist

OK. You could argue that Ovechkin could have saved his backhand pass off the boards to himself to beat one defender, while winning another race to the puck and beating another defender and, while sliding on his back, still had the ability to score at a more dramatic time. Like the third period, with time running out, instead of the first period with his Washington Capitals trailing the Montreal Canadiens, 1-0.But this effort, this performance, this epic, it came in the middle of a competition.
It was as amazing a goal as I've ever seen," Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau gushed afterward."He's going to score no matter how it goes in -- if it's on his stomach, back, whatever, he’s going to try to score," said Capitals defenseman Mike Green. "I think I was more impressed with the backhand around the defenseman." This one was all Ovie. Did you see that?" said an awestruck Carey Price. "I covered the bottom of the net the way I was supposed to ... but somehow he managed to lift the puck when he was on his butt."Amazing? It left the usually chatty Boudreau, well, beside himself, when asked to describe a better performance by The Great 8 -- like perhaps the one in which he wound up with the stick behind his head and scored against Phoenix on Jan. 16, 2006."I've seen that one about 1,000 times on TV," Boudreau said. "But this one ... it was ... as amazing a goal as I've EVER seen."

[If you haven't seen this goal yet, check out youtube]

Which rivalry is the game's best?

By Phil Coffey - NHL.com Sr. Editorial Director

Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens -- Packed with history and years of Hall of Famers going head-to-head, this rivalry screams hockey and all that makes it a passion for so many.How intense has this been? Consider that between 1944 and 1978, the clubs met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs a dozen times. That will raise a burr under the saddle of any self-respecting player or fan.There are those who will argue that political and societal rivalries are encompassed here, but what it boils down to is two teams that don't like each other a whole lot.The rivalry never was more intense than in the 1960s, as the Leafs and Habs won eight of the 10 Cups awarded during the decade, with the 1967 Final between the two white-hot, as the Leafs upset the Canadiens.In recent years, the Leafs' struggles have cooled the rivalry to a degree, but it continues to smolder and can ignite at any time.

Bruins vs. Canadiens -- This is another blood feud forged in the crucible of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The two went at it again in the first round of last spring's postseason, with the favored Canadiens being pushed to seven games before advancing. The Bruins credit their strong play in the series with helping them get off to a fast start in 2008-09. The two have played 159 postseason games, more than any other NHL rivalry. During the 1950s, the Habs took the Cup from the Bruins three times. The intensity of the rivalry was forever captured in 1952, when Bruins goalie Jim Henry, sporting a black eye, was photographed shaking hands with Maurice "Rocket" Richard, who has a bandage above his eye.The rivalry glowed red-hot again in the 1970s as both clubs ranked among the top Cup contenders, icing Hall of Famers like Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, Gerry Cheevers, Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden and Jacques Lemaire. In 1971, the defending-champion Bruins were ousted by the Habs thanks in large part to the unbeatable play of Dryden. Boston won the Cup the following season, but the Habs' win broke up a potential dynasty.The Bruins were star-crossed in the mid-1970s as teams coached by Don Cherry fell to the Canadiens in the 1977 and 1978 Finals. But the most unforgettable moment was in the 1979 semifinals, when the Bruins were called for too many men on the ice in the waning moments of Game 7. The Canadiens tied the game and then won in overtime, a wound that still aches in Boston.The rivalry was more even in the 1980s and 1990s as the teams gave as good as they got. Boston triumphed in the playoffs in 1988, and the Habs returned the favor in 1989. The Bruins won again in 1990, '91 and '92.In 1994, the Canadiens were the defending champions but were eliminated in the first round by the Bruins. Montreal also won series in 2002 and '04.

Flyers vs. Rangers -- These two teams have hated one another since the Flyers joined the NHL in 1967, largely because these two cities have a rivalry in every sport, so hockey was a natural extension. A rough-and-tumble rivalry that has seen the buckets dropped countless times, a Rangers-Flyers game rarely is dull or without incident.There have been 10 playoff meetings that has set the bitter tone for the rivalry, with the Flyers winning six times, including the 1974 series that saw a favored Rangers team ousted as the Flyers went on to win the Stanley Cup. The Rangers returned the favor in 1979 with an upset of the Flyers, advancing to the Cup Final where they fell to the Canadiens.
In the 1980s, the two played in the Patrick Division semifinals five times. The Rangers won in 1982, '83 and '86, while the Flyers were victorious in 1985 and '87. Philadelphia also won postseason series in 1995, a four-game sweep of the defending champs, and 1997, which sent the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final.

Battle of Alberta -- Provincial pride is on the line every time the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames meet. Forget the teams' records; there is no more intense or bitter rivalry than this one.How bitter? The Oilers ousted the Flames in the playoffs in 1983, 1984, 1988 and 1991 on their way to two of their five Stanley Cups. Calgary’s revenge came in 1986 when the Flames triumphed. In 1988, Edmonton returned the favor. The 1991 postseason marked the last meeting between the Oilers and Flames, but that hasn't impacted the nasty, exciting games that have taken place in the regular season.

Colorado vs. Detroit -- This grudge match is one for the ages, although there has been something of a cooling in recent years. But no rivalry produced as much passion and fisticuffs as Wings vs. Avalanche.From 1996 to 2002, the Avs and Wings met in five playoff series, three times in the Western Conference Finals. In those seven seasons, the teams combined to win five Stanley Cups, so the road to success in the West led out of the Motor City or Mile High City.Game 6 of the 1996 Western Conference Finals more than set the rivalry afire. Colorado's Claude Lemieux crushed Kris Draper into the boards at the Detroit bench, leaving Draper with a broken jaw and broken nose among other injuries.The 1997 playoffs was payback time for the Wings. In a fight-filled game, the Wings' Darren McCarty grabbed Lemieux during a line brawl and fired away as Lemieux covered up. Goalies Mike Vernon and Patrick Roy also battled in a memorable center-ice brawl.

These 15 trades were difference makers

By Phil Coffey - NHL.com Sr. Editorial Director

Over the course of its history, there have been thousands of trades in the NHL. Many have been insignificant, others have been blockbusters that dominated headlines. As the March 4, 2009 trade deadline approaches (3 p.m. ET), NHL.com looks at 15 trades from 1980 to the present that made a difference for one or both of the clubs involved in the swap.

Goring to the Islanders (1980) – Coming off consecutive first-round failures with a star-studded team, New York Islanders GM Bill Torrey made the first of his many savvy deals by acquiring veteran center Butch Goring from the Los Angeles Kings for forward Billy Harris and defenseman Dave Lewis.Goring not only went on to win a Conn Smythe Trophy during the Islanders' four-straight Stanley Cup triumphs, but he provided the immediate impact of convincing a young Islanders team that it was ready to win immediately. In many respects this is the prototypical trade at the deadline as it put a very good team over the top in its quest for the Cup.

Langway helps save the Caps (1982) – The Washington Capitals had missed the playoffs for eight-straight seasons and something had to be done. With new GM David Poile on the job for less than two weeks, he made a huge trade with the Montreal Canadiens that brought back four players who stabilized the franchise.Defenseman Rod Langway became the "Secretary of Defense" for the Caps and forwards Doug Jarvis and Craig Laughlin were solid performers, as was defenseman Brian Engblom, who was traded to Los Angeles the next season for veteran defenseman Larry Murphy. Combined with former first-round pick Scott Stevens, the Capitals had a defense to build a successful team around.
Because the new Capitals had such a dramatic impact in Washington, it's often overlooked that the Canadiens got two very good players in the deal in forward Ryan Walter and defenseman Rick Green. But this deal is remembered primarily for putting Washington on the hockey map and establishing Poile's reputation as a smart GM.

Neely comes to Boston (1986) – The trade is remembered in infamy in Vancouver and the name Cam Neely remains venerated in Boston. But in the context of the time, it certainly didn't appear as lopsided as it became.Neely, a former first-round pick of the Canucks, was slow in developing and the Canucks opted to move him to the East Coast. They swapped Neely and a 1987 first-round pick to the Bruins for center Barry Pederson.That's when it gets ugly for the Canucks. The draft pick turned into defenseman Glen Wesley and Neely became, well, Neely, one of the most productive loved/feared power forwards in NHL history.Pederson, a strong player in Boston, did score 60 goals and 137 assists in 233 games with the Canucks, but that production paled in comparison to the rampage Neely went on in becoming the textbook definition of the power forward and one of the most popular Bruins ever. Neely scored 344 goals and 246 assists in 525 regular-season games and another 55 goals and 32 assists in 86 playoff games. Wesley appeared in over 500 regular-season games and 100 more playoff games for Boston before he was swapped to Hartford in 1994 for first-round picks in the 1995, '96 and '97 drafts.

Coffey joins Lemieux (1987) – The Pittsburgh Penguins already had Mario Lemieux, but the big fella needed a little help and the Penguins acquired it in a big trade with the Edmonton Oilers that saw star defenseman Paul Coffey join the Pens and join the core that would produce back-to-back Stanley Cup championship teams a couple years down the road.This was an old-fashioned blockbuster that saw eight players change teams. Coffey was joined by forwards Dave Hunter and Wayne Van Dorp from Edmonton, while forwards Craig Simpson and Dave Hannan became Oilers along with defensemen Moe Mantha and Chris Joseph.Coffey scored 15 goals and 52 assists in just 46 games that season and went on to be a member of both Pittsburgh Stanley Cup teams.

Hull moves into the spotlight (1988) – Back in 1987-88, NHL observers were getting the inkling that Brett Hull was going to follow in his father's footsteps as he scored 26 goals and 24 assists in just 53 games for the Flames. Calgary, building toward a Stanley Cup, needed some veteran help on defense and in goal, so the Flames parted with Hull and forward Steve Bozek, sending them to the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Rob Ramage and goaltender Rick Wamsley on March 7, 1988.
Hull, of course, went on to become a superstar with the Blues and won Stanley Cups with the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings. The deal may look terribly lopsided for the Blues, but keep in mind both Ramage and Wamsley went on to play with the Flames' lone Stanley Cup championship team the following season, providing the veteran know-how the club sought in the deal.But there is no doubt this was a Hull of a deal for the Blues.

The Great One in the Big One (1988) – As chronicled extensively in NHL.com's trade section, Wayne Gretzky proved that anybody can be traded. Hockey's greatest star was on the move after helping the Oilers win the Stanley Cup in a mega-deal with the Los Angeles Kings that had a far-reaching impact on all of hockey.Gretzky, center Mike Krushelnyski and defenseman Marty McSorley went to the Kings in exchange for center Jimmy Carson, left wing Martin Gelinas, three first round draft picks and cash.The Oilers rebounded without "The Great One" and won another Stanley Cup in 1990, but Gretzky's presence in Los Angeles re-energized the Kings and put the NHL on the map in the American Sun Belt, paving the way for the League to move into markets like Dallas, Phoenix, Anaheim and San Jose.

Francis adds finishing touch (1991) – GM Craig Patrick was a busy man in 1990-91, naming Bob Johnson as head coach and then supplementing Mario Lemieux and Paul Coffey with Joe Mullen and Larry Murphy in earlier deals before pulling off the trade that put the Penguins over the top.Patrick acquired center Ron Francis and defensemen Ulf Samuelsson and Grant Jennings from the Hartford Whalers for forwards John Cullen and Jeff Parker and defenseman Zarley Zalapski.The classy Francis was a huge success for the Pens, scoring 164 goals and 449 assists in 533 regular-season games, while adding 32 goals and 68 assists in 97 playoff games.

Messier in New York (1991) – In the four seasons leading up to this blockbuster, the New York Rangers were a decent club, finishing over .500, but never able to get over the hump.With their Stanley Cup drought having stretched from 1940 and with the rival Islanders having owned the 1980s, the Rangers needed a bold statement that things were going to be different.GM Neil Smith made sure of that after acquiring "The Captain" from the Edmonton Oilers for center Bernie Nicholls and prospects Steven Rice and Louie DeBrusk. It was a huge move for the Rangers' fortunes. Messier and Manhattan were an instant fit and the Rangers became a team worth watching as Messier raised the bar for his teammates in terms of what was going to be considered acceptable from them on.With Messier as captain, the Rangers raced to a 50-win season and after a disappointing playoff-less season in 1992-93. The Rangers, fueled by Messier, won the Stanley Cup in 1994, creating the moment many Rangers fans never expected to see in their lifetimes.

Lindros comes to Philadelphia (1992) – Eric Lindros warned the Nordiques he wasn't going to sign with them prior to the 1991 Entry Draft, but Quebec selected him anyway, setting up one of the most bizarre situations in NHL history as it took an arbitrator to settle Lindros' eventual destination.At the 1992 Entry Draft, word spread that Nordiques owner Marcel Abut had traded Lindros to the New York Rangers for a hefty package of players, prospects, draft picks and future considerations. But Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider insisted he also had a similar deal in place for the big center.An arbitrator finally ruled that the deal with the Flyers stood and an impressive package was headed to Quebec: forwards Peter Forsberg, Mike Ricci and Chris Simon, defensemen Steve Duchesne and Kerry Huffman, goalie Ron Hextall, as well as two first-round picks and future considerations.The Lindros-Flyers marriage ended badly and he, somewhat ironically, ended up with the Rangers. But the initial trade helped the Flyers emerge from a down period and propel them back into the NHL's elite ranks as Lindros scored 290 goals and 369 assists in 486 regular-season games. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Lindros scored an additional 24 goals and 33 assists in 50 games.

Sundin takes root in Toronto (1994) – Mats Sundin was originally the lynchpin of the Quebec Nordiques after being selected No. 1 in the 1989 Entry Draft.So imagine the shock waves on June 28, 1994 when the Maple Leafs and Nordiques announced a huge trade. Sundin was headed to Toronto with defenseman Garth Butcher, prospect Todd Warriner and a 1994 first round draft pick for the hugely popular Wendel Clark, defenseman Sylvain Lefebvre, winger Landon Wilson and a 1994 first rounder.

Adding another tower of power (1995) – When Eric Lindros first joined the Flyers, he formed the "Crazy Eights" line with Mark Recchi and Brent Fedyk. Following the trade of Recchi to the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 9, 1995, the "Legion of Doom" was born as John LeClair joined with Lindros and Mikael Renberg to form another monstrous offensive line in Philadelphia.In addition to LeClair, the Flyers also received solid defenseman Eric Desjardins and forward Gilbert Dionne from the Habs in exchange for Recchi and a 1995 third-round pick. LeClair really found his stride with the Flyers and, with Lindros, gave the Flyers two of the biggest, most talented forwards in the game.

Cup follows Claude around (1995) – Claude Lemieux won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs after he scored 13 goals and three assists to help the New Jersey Devils win their first championship. He was on the move to Colorado months later after a contract dispute soured things in New Jersey.Lemieux was first traded to the Islanders for winger Steve Thomas and then on to Colorado for Wendel Clark in a three-way deal. Success followed Lemieux to Colorado, where he scored 39 regular-season goals and five more in the playoffs as the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 1996.Ironically, Lemieux was back in New Jersey in 2000, having been dealt for forward Brian Rolston and an exchange of draft picks. Lemieux was once again productive for the Devils and played a mentoring role with a number of the team's young players as the Devils captured the 2000 Stanley Cup.

Roy rumbles in the Rockies (1995) – Colorado GM Pierre Lacroix made a habit of picking up disgruntled players in 1995-96 and it paid huge dividends.After acquiring Claude Lemieux, Lacroix also traded for goaltender Patrick Roy after the goaltender's celebrated blowup in Montreal ended his distinguished career with the Canadiens.Left in goal during a lopsided loss to the Red Wings by coach Mario Tremblay, Roy vowed never to play for the Canadiens again. He didn't, having been traded to the Avalanche along with veteran forward Mike Keane for goalie Jocelyn Thibault and forwards Andrei Kovalenko and Martin Rucinsky.Roy went 22-15-1 for Colorado in the regular season and then 16-6 with three shutouts as the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup.

Fitting finale for Bourque (2000) – Chomping at the bit to win a Stanley Cup in what many believed to be his final season, Ray Bourque reluctantly leaves Boston to join the Colorado Avalanche. Heading to Boston are forward Brian Rolston, prospects Martin Grenier and Sami Pahlsson, plus a first-round pick in 2000. Joining Bourque in Colorado is veteran forward Dave Andreychuk.The Avs lose in the Western Conference Finals to Dallas in seven games, but Bourque opts for one more season and is rewarded in 2001 when Colorado dethrones New Jersey in a seven-game Final series. Bourque skates into retirement with the Cup held high.

Blake bolsters blue line (2001) – Notice the trend here as Pierre Lacroix shows no hesitation to make bold moves for his team. With Patrick Roy and Ray Bourque added to an already talented roster, the Colorado GM doesn't sit back and hope.Faced with the loss of All-Star defenseman Rob Blake to unrestricted free agency, the Los Angeles Kings opt to trade the talented Blake and Lacroix is there to get the deal done.On March 22, 2001, Blake and forward Steven Reinprecht were sent to the Avalanche for forwards Adam Deadmarsh and Jared Aulin, defenseman Adam Miller, a 2001 first-round pick and futures.This trade benefited both clubs and came sooooo close to being in the Kings' favor. In both the 2001 and 2002 playoffs, Los Angeles has taken the Avalanche to seven-game marathons before succumbing.

NHL 800-Assist Players - STATS

Associated Press

1. Wayne Gretzky, Edm-LA-StL-NYR 1,963
2. Ron Francis, Har-Pit-Car-Tor 1,249
3. Mark Messier, Edm-NYR-Van-NYR 1,193
4. Ray Bourque, Bos-Col 1,169
5. Paul Coffey Edm-Pit-LA-Det-Har-Phi-Chi-Car-Bos 1,135
6. Adam Oates, Det-StL-Bos-Was-Phi-Ana-Edm 1,079
7. Steve Yzerman, Det 1,063
8. Gordie Howe, Det-Har 1,049
9. Marcel Dionne, Det-LA-NYR 1,040
10. Mario Lemieux, Pit 1,033
11. x-Joe Sakic, Que-Col 1,016
12. Doug Gilmour, StL-Cal-Tor-NJ-Chi-Buf-Mon-Tor 964
13. Jaromir Jagr, Pit-Was-NYR 953
14. Al MacInnis, Cal-StL 934
15. Larry Murphy, LA-Was-Min-Pit-Tor-Det 929
16. Stan Mikita, Chi 926
17. Bryan Trottier, NYI-Pit 901
18. Phil Housley, Buf-Win-StL-Cal-NJ-Was-Cal-Chi-Tor 894
19. Dale Hawerchuk, Win-Buf-StL-Phi 891
20. x-Mark Recchi, Pit-Phi-Mon-Phi-Pit-Car-Pit-Atl-TB 886
21. Phil Esposito, Chi-Bos-NYR 873
22. Denis Savard, Chi-Mon-TB-Chi 865
23. Bobby Clarke, Phi 852
24. Alex Delvecchio, Det 825
25. Gil Perreault, Buf 814
26. John Bucyk, Det-Bos 813
27. Pierre Turgeon, Buf-NYI-Mon-StL-Dal-Col 812

x-denotes active player

NHL 1,000-Point Scorers - STATS

Associated Press

Player, Team G A Pts
1. Wayne Gretzky, Edm-LA-StL-NYR 894 1963 2,857
2. Mark Messier, Edm-NYR-Van-NYR 694 1193 1,887
3. Gordie Howe, Det-Har 801 1049 1,850
4. Ron Francis, Har-Pit-Car-Tor 549 1249 1,798
5. Marcel Dionne, Det-LA-NYR 731 1040 1,771
6. Steve Yzerman, Det 692 1063 1,755
7. Mario Lemieux, Pit 690 1033 1,723
8. x-Joe Sakic, Que-Col 625 1016 1,641
9. Jaromir Jagr, Pit-Was-NYR 646 953 1,599
10. Phil Esposito, Chi-Bos-NYR 717 873 1,590
11. Ray Bourque, Bos-Col 410 1169 1,579
12. Paul Coffey, Edm-Pit-LA-Det-Har-Phi-Chi-Car-Bos 396 1135 1,531
13. Stan Mikita, Chi 541 926 1,467
14. Bryan Trottier, NYI-Pit 524 901 1,425
15. x-Mark Recchi Pit-Phi-Mon-Ph-Pit-Car-Pit-Atl-TB 535 886 1,421
16. Adam Oates, Det-StL-Bos-Was-Phi-Ana-Edm 341 1079 1,420
17. Doug Gilmour, StL-Cal-Tor-NJ-Chi-Buf-Mon-Tor 450 964 1,414
18. Dale Hawerchuk, Win-Buf-StL-Phi 518 891 1,409
19. Jari Kurri, Edm-LA-NYR-Ana-Col 601 797 1,398
20. Luc Robitaille, LA-Pit-NYR-LA-Det-LA 668 726 1,394
21. Brett Hull, Cal-StL-Dal-Det-Pho 741 650 1,391
22. John Bucyk, Det-Bos 556 813 1,369
23. Guy Lafleur, Mon-NYR-Que 560 793 1,353
24. x-Brendan Shanahan, NJ-StL-Har-Det-NYR-NJ 653 692 1,345
25. Dave Andreychuk, Buf-Tor-NJ-Bos-Col-Buf-TB 640 698 1,338
25. Denis Savard, Chi-Mon-TB-Chi 473 865 1,338
27. Mike Gartner, Was-Min-NYR-Tor-Pho 708 627 1,335
28. x-Mats Sundin, Que-Tor-Van 561 772 1,333
29. Pierre Turgeon, Buf-NYI-Mon-StL-Dal-Col 515 812 1,327
30. Gilbert Perreault, Buf 512 814 1,326
31. x-Mike Modano, Min-Dal 542 778 1,320
32. Alex Delvecchio, Det 456 825 1,281
33. Al MacInnis, Cal-StL 340 934 1,274
34. Jean Ratelle, NYR-Bos 491 776 1,267
35. Peter Stastny, Que-NJ-StL 450 789 1,239
36. Phil Housley, Buf-Win-StL-Cal-NJ-Was-Chi-Tor 338 894 1,232
37. Norm Ullman, Det-Tor 490 739 1,229
38. Jean Beliveau, Mon 507 712 1,219
39. Larry Murphy, LA-Was-Min-Pit-Tor-Det 287 929 1,216
40. x-Jeremy Roenick, Chi-Pho-Phi-LA-Pho-SJ 512 701 1,213
41. Bobby Clarke, Phi 358 852 1,210
42. Bernie Nicholls LA-NYR-Edm-NJ-Chi-SJ 475 734 1,209
43. Vincent Damphousse, Tor-Edm-Mon-SJ 432 773 1,205
44. Dino Ciccarelli, Min-Was-Det-TB-Fla 608 592 1,200
45. x-Teemu Selanne, Win-Ana-SJ-Col-Ana 571 625 1,196
46. x-Sergei Fedorov, Det-Ana-Clm-Was 478 693 1,171
46. Bobby Hull, Chi-Win-Har 610 560 1,170
48. Michel Goulet, Que-Chi 548 604 1,152
49. x-Rod Brind'Amour, StL-Phi-Car 435 710 1,145
50. Bernie Federko, StL-Det 369 761 1,130
51. Mike Bossy, NYI 573 553 1,126
51. Joe Nieuwendyk, Cal-Dal-NJ-Tor-Fla 564 562 1,126
53. Darryl Sittler, Tor-Phi-Det 484 637 1,121
54. Frank Mahovlich, Tor-Det-Mon 533 570 1,103
55. Glenn Anderson, Edm-Tor-NYR-StL 498 601 1,099
56. Theo Fleury, Cal-Col-NYR-Chi 455 633 1,088
57. Dave Taylor, LA 431 638 1,069
58. Pat Verbeek, NJ-Har-NYR-Dal-Det-Dal 522 541 1,063
58. Joe Mullen, StL-Cal-Pit-Bos-Pit 502 561 1,063
60. Denis Potvin, NYI 310 742 1,052
61. Henri Richard, Mon 358 688 1,046
62. Bobby Smith, Min-Mon-Min 357 679 1,036
63. Alexander Mogilny, Buf-Van-NJ-Tor-NJ 473 559 1,032
64. Brian Leetch, NYR-Tor-Bos 247 781 1,028
65. Brian Bellows, Min-Mon-TB-Ana-Was 485 537 1,022
66. Rod Gilbert, NYR 406 615 1,021
67. Dale Hunter, Que-Was-Col 323 697 1,020
68. x-Keith Tkachuk, Win-Pho-StL-Atl-StL 518 501 1,019
69. Pat LaFontaine, NYI-Buf-NYR 468 545 1,013
70. Steve Larmer, Chi-NYR 441 571 1,012
71. Lanny McDonald, Tor-Col-Cal 500 506 1,006
72. x-Doug Weight, NYR-Edm-StL-Car-Atl-NYI 274 730 1,004
72. Brian Propp, Phi-Bos-Min-Har 425 579 1,004

x-denotes active player

NHL 300-Victory Goalies - STATS

Associated Press

1. Patrick Roy, Mon-Col 551
2. x-Martin Brodeur, NJ 545
3. Ed Belfour, Chi-SJ-Dal-Tor-Fla 484
4. x-Curtis Joseph, StL-Edm-Tor-Det-Pho-Cal-Tor 450
5. Terry Sawchuk, Det-Tor-Bos-LA-NYR 447
6. Jacques Plante, Mon-NYR-StL-Tor-Bos 437
7. Tony Esposito, Mon-Chi 423
8. Glenn Hall, Det-Chi-StL 407
9. Grant Fuhr, Edm-Tor-Buf-LA-StL-Cal 403
10. Dominik Hasek, Chi-Buf-Det-Ott-Det 389
11. Mike Vernon, Cal-Det-SJ-Fla-Cal 385
12. x-Chris Osgood, Det-NYI-StL-Det 382
13. John Vanbiesbrouck, NYR-Fla-Phi-NYI-NJ 374
14. Andy Moog, Edm-Bos-Dal-Mon 372
15. Tom Barrasso, Buf-Pit-Ott-Car-Tor-StL 369
16. Rogie Vachon, Mon-LA-Det-Bos 355
17. Gump Worsley, NYR-Mon-Min 335
18. Harry Lumley, Det-NYR-Chi-Tor-Bos 330
19. Sean Burke NJ-Har-Car-Van-Phi-Fla-Pho-Phi-TB-LA 324
20. Billy Smith, LA-NYI 305
21. x-Olaf Kolzig, Was-TB 303
22. Turk Broda, Tor 302
23. Mike Richter, NYR 301

x-denotes active goaltender

NHL 500-Victory Coaches - STATS

Associated Press

1. Scotty Bowman, StL-Mon-Buf-Pit-Det 1,244
2. Al Arbour, StL-NYI 781
3. Dick Irvin, Chi-Tor-Mon 692
4. x-Mike Keenan, Phi-Chi-NYR-StL-Van-Bos-Fla-Cal 663
5. Pat Quinn, Phi-LA-Van-Tor 657
6. Bryan Murray, Was-Det-Fla-Ana-Ott 620
7. x-Ron Wilson, Ana-Was-SJ-Tor 542
7. Billy Reay, Tor-Chi 542
9. x-Jacques Lemaire, Mon-NJ-Min 530
10. Jacques Martin, StL-Ott-Fla 517
11. x-Ken Hitchcock, Dal-Phi-Clm 501
11. Pat Burns, Mon-Tor-Bos-NJ 501
13. Toe Blake, Mon 500

x-denotes active coach

Notable deadline deals: Turning draft picks into stars

[NHL.com]

There have been a number of notable trades made at the trade deadline featuring draft picks that would turn into star players.

March 10, 1980 – Los Angeles Kings acquired D JERRY KORAB from Buffalo for Los Angeles’ first-round pick in the 1982 Entry Draft (D PHIL HOUSLEY) -- trade completed one day before the trading deadline.The Kings received 10-year veteran Korab, who had been a mainstay on the Sabres clubs that contended for the Stanley Cup in the mid 1970’s. The Sabres used the future first-round draft pick to select Housley out of St. Paul South (Minnesota) High School. Housley played eight seasons in a Sabres’ uniform, tallying 60+ points in each season.

March 10, 1981 – Los Angeles Kings acquired LW RICK MARTIN from Buffalo for Los Angeles' third-round pick in the 1981 Entry Draft (D COLIN CHISHOLM) and first-round pick in 1983 (G TOM BARRASSO).The Kings received Martin, who posted eight seasons of 30-or-more goals and was a member of the Sabres’ famous “French Connection” line with Gilbert Perreault and Rene Robert. Buffalo used the future first-round draft pick to select another high school phenom, goaltender Tom Barrasso of Acton-Boxboro (Massachusetts).

March 23, 1995 – Hartford acquired D GLEN FEATHERSTONE, D MICHAEL STEWART, a first-round pick in the 1995 Entry Draft (G JEAN-SEBASTIEN GIGUERE) and fourth-round pick in 1996 (C STEVE WASYLKO) for RW PAT VERBEEK.Giguere led Anaheim to the 2003 Stanley Cup Final and won the Conn Smythe Trophy after posting a 1.62 GAA and a .945 save percentage. Four years later, he helped the Ducks capture their first Stanley Cup by going 13-4 with a 1.97 GAA and .922 save percentage.

March 24, 1998 – Tampa Bay acquired LW ANDREI NAZAROV and Florida's first-round pick in the 1998 Entry Draft (previously acquired - C VINCENT LECAVALIER) from San Jose for D BRYAN MARCHMENT, D DAVID SHAW and Tampa Bay's first-round pick in 1998 (later traded to Nashville).Lecavalier helped Tampa Bay win its first-ever Stanley Cup in 2004. He captured the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2006-07 as the League's goal-scoring leader with 52.

March 24, 1998 – Tampa Bay acquired RW SANDY MCCARTHY, a third-round pick in the 1998 Entry Draft (BRAD RICHARDS) and a fifth-round pick in 1998 (D CURTIS RICH) from Calgary for C JASON WIEMER.Richards was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2004 after he totaled 26 playoff points (12-14--26), including seven game-winning goals. Richards also won the Lady Byng Trophy in 2004.

March 23, 1999 – Buffalo acquired a fifth-round pick in the 1999 Entry Draft (G RYAN MILLER) and D RHETT WARRENER from Florida for D MIKE WILSON.In 2006-07, Miller became the first goaltender in Sabres history to record 40 victories in a season. He posted a 40-16-6 record with a 2.73 GAA and two shutouts in 63 games.

March 13, 2001 – Los Angeles acquired ADAM MAIR and a second-round pick in the 2001 Entry Draft (C MIKE CAMMALLERI) from Toronto for D AKI BERG.Cammalleri was voted the Kings’ MVP in 2006-07, setting career highs for goals (34), assists (46), points (80), power-play goals (16), game-winning goals (five) and shots (299). He is on pace to eclipse many of those numbers with the Calgary Flames this season.

[NHL.com]

Trades near deadline involving eventual Cup winner

[NHL.com]


Since 1980, there have been a number of trades made around the trade deadline that have helped teams go on to win the Stanley Cup that season. Following is a summary of some significant transactions involving the eventual Stanley Cup champion.

March 10, 1980 – New York Islanders acquired C BUTCH GORING from Los Angeles for RW BILLY HARRIS and D DAVE LEWIS (trade completed one day before the deadline).Harris was the first player drafted in Islanders' history and had been with the club since its inaugural season, 1972-73. Lewis had been a steady presence on the Islanders blueline for seven seasons. With Goring, the Islanders went undefeated in their last 12 regular-season games (8-0-4) and went on to capture their first-ever Stanley Cup championship.

March 4, 1991 – Pittsburgh Penguins acquired C RON FRANCIS, D GRANT JENNINGS and D ULF SAMUELSSON from Hartford for C JOHN CULLEN, RW JEFF PARKER and D ZARLEY ZALAPSKI (trade completed one day before the deadline).The Penguins went on to capture the 1991 Stanley Cup, the first championship in franchise history. Francis was tied for the team lead with four game-winning goals and tied for fifth in scoring with 17 points (7-10 --17) during the 1991 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Francis played in Pittsburgh for eight seasons, posting 100 points in 97 post-season games and was also traded at the deadline again in 2004 by Carolina.

March 21, 1994 – New York Rangers acquired (1) LW STEPHANE MATTEAU and RW BRIAN NOONAN from Chicago for RW TONY AMONTE and the rights to LW MATT OATES. (2) RW GLENN ANDERSON, the rights to D SCOTT MALONE and Toronto's fourth-round pick in 1994 Entry Draft (D ALEXANDER KOROBOLIN) from Toronto for RW MIKE GARTNER. (3) C CRAIG MacTAVISH from Edmonton for C TODD MARCHANT.The Rangers, on their way to capturing the Presidents' Trophy as the club with the League's best regular-season record, acquired four players at the trade deadline and went on to win their first Stanley Cup since 1940. New arrivals Matteau, Noonan, Anderson and MacTavish all had important roles in the Rangers' Cup triumph.

March 18, 1997 – Detroit Red Wings acquired D LARRY MURPHY from Toronto for future considerations.Murphy appeared in all 20 playoff games for Detroit, recording 11 points (two goals, nine assists) and led the League in plus-minus (+16) as the Red Wings captured their first Stanley Cup since 1955.

March 14, 2000 – New Jersey Devils acquired RW ALEXANDER MOGILNY from Vancouver for C BRENDAN MORRISON and C DENIS PEDERSON.Mogilny added to the offensive powerhouse that led the Eastern Conference in goals with 251. Although he tallied just 3-3--6 in 12 regular-season games and 4-3--7 in the playoffs, Mogilny's presence helped free other players en route to the team's second Stanley Cup. Morrison, meanwhile, developed into one of hockey's top forwards with the Vancouver Canucks.

February 21, 2001 - Colorado Avalanche acquired D ROB BLAKE and C STEVE REINPRECHT from Los Angeles for RW ADAM DEADMARSH, D AARON MILLER, a player to be named later (C JARED AULIN) and Colorado's first-round picks in 2001 (LW DAVID STECKEL) and 2003 (C BRIAN BOYLE). This trade was completed 20 days before the trade deadline.Rob Blake made an immediate impact in the Avalanche's first Stanley Cup victory since 1996, leading all defensemen in playoff scoring with 19 points (6-13--19). Blake joined a team full of leadership to win his first Stanley Cup along with veteran defenseman Ray Bourque.

March 10, 2003 - (1) New Jersey Devils acquired RW GRANT MARSHALL from Columbus for a conditional choice in 2004. (2) New Jersey acquired D RICHARD SMEHLIK and a conditional choice from Atlanta for a fourth-round pick in 2003 (D MIKE VANNELLI).The Devils were relatively quiet at the 2003 trade deadline compared to 2002, when they obtained C Joe Nieuwendyk and RW Jamie Langenbrunner from Dallas for C Jason Arnott, RW Randy McKay and New Jersey's first round choice in 2002. Grant Marshall provided timely scoring for the Devils (6-2--8) including a series-clinching goal in triple overtime against Tampa Bay.

January 27, 2004 - Tampa Bay Lightning acquired D DARRYL SYDOR and Columbus' fourth-round pick in the 2004 Entry Draft (D MIKE LUNDIN) from Columbus for C ALEXANDER SVITOV and Tampa Bay's third-round pick in 2004 (later traded to Calgary). This trade was completed 40 days before the trade deadline.The 31-year old Sydor brought with him the experience of having appeared in three Stanley Cup Finals, including playing with a championship team in Dallas in 1999.

March 9, 2006 - Carolina Hurricanes acquired RW MARK RECCHI from Pittsburgh for LW NIKLAS NORDGREN, C KRYS KOLANOS and Carolina's second-round choice in 2007 (later traded to San Jose).The 38-year-old Recchi, who had won a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 1991, had 16 points (7-9--16) during the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including six points in the Final against Edmonton. He scored the game-winning goal in Game 4 that put Carolina up 3-1 in the series. The Hurricanes had also added a key piece to the puzzle on Jan. 30 when they acquired Doug Weight from St. Louis (along with Erkki Rajamaki) for Jesse Boulerice, Michael Zigomanis, Magnus Kahnberg and a first-round draft choice.

February 27, 2007 - Anaheim Ducks acquired LW BRAD MAY from Colorado for G MICHAEL WALL.A veteran of 15 NHL seasons and 932 regular-season and Stanley Cup playoff games, May brought plenty of experience to the Anaheim lineup for the stretch drive. The 35-year-old Toronto native appeared in 18 of the Ducks' 21 postseason games as the franchise won its first Stanley Cup championship.

February 26, 2008 - Detroit Red Wings acquired D BRAD STUART from Los Angeles for Detroit's 2nd-round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft (later traded to Colorado) and 4th-round pick in 2009.Stuart arrived in Detroit with more than 500 games of NHL experience and quickly formed an effective blueline partnership with hard-hitting Niklas Kronwall. Stuart appeared in all 21 Red Wings' playoff games in their 2008 Stanley Cup campaign, tallying seven points (one goal, six assists). He ranked third in the NHL with a +15 rating, just behind Kronwall and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Henrik Zetterberg (+16).

[NHL.com]

Trade Deadline Q & A

[NHL.com]
As the trade deadline of 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 4 approaches, the National Hockey League has prepared the following:


How is a trade made?After two clubs have come to an agreement on a trade, the clubs must advise the League office, either by telephone or by FAX, of the terms of the trade. The League office then schedules a conference call with the two teams to review the transaction and give final approval for the deal. Prior to the trade call, the League office will ensure that the team has the appropriate salary cap space to make the deal; if draft choices are involved, that the club has the available choices; and that the team has available space on its reserve list to add the player (s). It should be noted that the 23-man roster restriction is no longer in force from February 27 on.On the trade call, the League will a) review the terms of the player contracts and ensure that teams are aware of their respective obligations to the player (s) involved; b) ensure that, should a player have a no-trade clause, that the player has waived that right; and c) ensure that any conditions to consummation of the transaction have been clearly defined and agreed upon.The trade becomes official after the trade call has taken place.
What if a player involved in a transaction has a "no trade" clause?No trade clauses can vary from player to player. For example, a player may have a list of teams that he has agreed to be traded to. The League requires written documentation from the player that he has waived his no trade clause. If applicable, the documentation must also stipulate which teams the player has agreed it is permissible for him to be traded to.
Can a trade take place after the 3:00 P.M. ET deadline on February 26, 2008?Trade calls may take place after the 3:00 p.m. deadline but the League must have been advised of any and all transactions, including the specific details, prior to 3:00 p.m. It is not unusual that a number of trades are agreed to between the clubs just before 3:00 p.m. However, due to the volume of trades occurring just prior to the deadline, the League may not be able to conduct the actual trade call until after 3:00 p.m. There are five League officials that conduct trade calls and calls may last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the complexity of the deal.
How is a player's salary charged against a team's salary cap when a trade is made at the deadline?The salary that is charged against a team's cap is the pro rated amount remaining of the player's average yearly salary. For example, if a player has an average yearly salary of $2 million, the amount charged against the acquiring team's cap is the pro-rated amount remaining of $2 million.This is calculated by dividing $2 million by the number of days in the season (187). The amount ($10,695) is then multiplied by the number of days remaining in the season from the day the trade is made (41 days if trade is on deadline day) to ascertain the amount charged against the team's cap ($438,502).
[NHL.com]

10 Deadline Questions

Let's start with the 10 questions facing the League and its member teams as the deadline begins to loom on the immediate horizon. [nhl.com]

Will Brian Burke have to pay for extra minutes on his cell phone in the next couple of weeks?Well, hopefully Burkie has the all-you-can-eat minutes plan and a Bluetooth headphone because his digits will be uber popular with his front-office peers. The new Toronto GM has declared a few players safe and put the rest of the roster on the market, including top forward Nik Antropov and a pair of puck-moving defensemen. Burke isn't afraid to pull the trigger when he has a chance to win now. In rebuilding mode, he should be among the most willing trade partners.

Can Keith Tkachuk get traded by St. Louis again?The Blues dealt Tkachuk to Atlanta two years ago at the deadline for Glen Metropolit and an attractive package of draft picks. St. Louis then traded to reacquire Tkachuk that summer, returning a first-round pick to the Thrashers. So anything clearly is possible. But is it likely? Tkachuk is having a very good season and is deadly on the power play, but he has had limited playoff success and did nothing for Atlanta in its first-round ouster two years ago. Opposing GMs may sniff around, but won't be willing to pay the price Atlanta surrendered at the 2007 deadline.

What are the Devils going to do with three goalies?All-world Martin Brodeur is scheduled to return from his long-term injury absence before the deadline, giving the Atlantic Division leaders a terrific boost in the form of a goalie who has won three Stanley Cups and an Olympic gold medal. But it also gives them the potential headache of carrying three goalies for the remainder of the season. Will GM Lou Lamoriello try to move one of them? If so, Kevin Weekes is likely the odd-man out -- and it is unclear what, if anything, he would command on the open market. Would a team like Montreal, with two young goalies, be interested in an experienced backup with some big-game experience?

Speaking of Montreal, will it put forward Alexei Kovalev on the market?This would have been a non-starter as late as last week, but that was before the front office -- with the blessing of coach Guy Carbonneau -- decided to leave Kovalev behind during this week's two-game road swing. The free-falling Canadiens are desperate for points in the Eastern Conference race, yet deemed second-leading scorer Kovalev expendable. If that doesn't pique the interest of other GMs, we're not sure what will. Kovalev is still a goal-scorer with first-rate skills. He could blossom again in the right situation. Pittsburgh, anyone?

Will the Penguins make a move before the deadline?GM Ray Shero says the answer is no, insisting the firing of Michel Therrien and the naming of new coach Dan Bylsma is the season-saving move he had up his sleeve. But it is hard to believe that Shero won't be intrigued by a finishing forward to pair with Crosby in hopes of recapturing the Marian Hossa magic from last season. There is also likely to be interest in bringing Colby Armstrong back into the fold after moving him to the Thrashers last year in the Hossa deal.

What about the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings?GM Ken Holland made only one move at last year's deadline, astutely adding Brad Stuart to solidify his blue line. This year, it appears a goalie might be on the wish list -- and that will be a much harder bill to fill. Chris Osgood has not been very good all year and backup Ty Conklin has been a pleasant surprise but has little in the way of playoff pedigree.

So will there be any goalies on the market?It will not be a buyer's market for those seeking a quality keeper. Minnesota might put free-agent-to-be Niklas Backstrom up for auction, but that's not a definite as the Wild are on the cusp of making the playoffs in the West. Regardless of that, GM Doug Risebrough would like to make Backstrom his franchise cornerstone if at all possible. The tightness of the race in the West and the youth of eliminated goalies in the East have put a huge damper on the market.

Are we in for a busy two weeks, then?Of course, the trade deadline has always been a wild time. This year, though, the action might pick up even later than usual. There are several reasons for this, including the uncertain economic future that is affecting all facets of life. Owners will need more convincing than ever to take on salary. Also, let's not forget that the GM Meetings are a week later this year, falling after the deadline. Usually, they precede the deadline and serve as an incubator for what is to come as the GMs treat meeting breaks, dinners and golf outings as sounding boards for potential moves. Now that process will have to be conducted over phone lines and via e-mail. Finally, some sellers will not emerge until the final 48 hours because of the tightness of the races in both conferences.

Will the Conference leaders -- San Jose and Boston -- do anything?That's a tough call. San Jose has been good from Day 1 and is one of the deepest teams in the League. The Sharks have 15 regulars who play more than 13 minutes per game and are proficient at both ends of the ice. But it wouldn't be surprising to see GM Doug Wilson use some organizational assets to add a depth defenseman or a faceoff-proficient center. Boston has never been much of a buyer at the deadline, but rarely have the Bruins been in this position. GM Peter Chiarelli has not been afraid to pull the trigger during his tenure in Beantown and he will be scouring the market for some skilled size to add to his roster. Whether he can find a match remains to be seen.

With all that said, who will be the biggest name moved by the time the curtain falls at 3 p.m. on March 4?My money is on Chris Pronger, just because he would likely bring the biggest return if the Ducks fall out of the playoff race. Pronger has one year left on his current deal, so the pressure to move him usually associated with impending free agents isn't there. But he will be in high demand among the Eastern Conference's top playoff contenders as they look for separation from the pack. That means someone will cave under the pressure and make an offer the Ducks can't refuse. Who knows, maybe that team is Boston? It's hard to imagine a team featuring the Twin Towers of Zdeno Chara and Pronger being an easy out.

--Shawn P. Roarke

What would help your team at the deadline?

Having followed the Red Wings all season, I am quite aware that they are in a precarious position between the pipes. This has not been a problem for a while, but now it seems to be a glaring blemish on the face of a team that has encountered a few problem areas this season that it hasn't struggled with in a long time.

Chris Osgood's win totals aren't bad, but his downright embarrassing save percentage places him dead-last in the league.

The Wings' penalty killing has been horrible, too, another area where they have been pretty decent in the past.

They aren't in the market for a goalie, because of their lack of cap space. Conklin will have to do the trick, and he has been pretty good in my opinion.

Think about where your team might make a move to improve. And while you're thinking, I'll throw you some bones.

Goalies.
Scott Clemmensen is not the only goalie that might be able to help playoff-contending teams concerned about their depth at goalie. According to several different reports, the Ottawa Senators have put former No. 1 goalie Martin Gerber on re-entry waivers.
There's been speculation that backup goalie and pending UFA Manny Fernandez (14-4-3, 2.24 GAA, .921 save percentage) could be dealt in exchange for some additional depth along the forward line.

Forwards.
The Daily News is reporting that the Islanders are very likely to be “sellers for the cellar.” Some of the names that are likely to be on the move include Bill Guerin, Doug Weight, Andy Hilbert, Dean McAmmond, Brendan Witt and Radek Martinek.
Colorado's Marek Svatos was a healthy scratch Thursday night in Colorado's loss to the New Jersey Devils in Newark.
Then there's always the rumors about the oft-injured Gaborik...

Defencemen.
The Boston Herald is reporting that the Bruins have their eyes set on veteran defenceman Chris Pronger.
Tsn.ca is reporting that Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mathieu Dandenault has informed GM Bob Gainey that he wishes to be traded. It is also noted that Gainey has apparently stated that he will do his best to accommodate Mathieu Dandenault’s desire to be moved.
Tsn.ca is reporting that long time Canucks defenseman Mattais Ohlund is going to test the UFA market. It is noted that contract talks have once again broken off and that he is excited about the possibilities of what may be in his future.

Keep your eyes peeled...your team may make a deal yet.

The Greatest Game On Earth!

Hello, hockey fans, and welcome to my hockey blog. This is something that I've wanted to start for a while now, but never really found the time. [now that the baby's in bed, and the wife's working, I can put a bit of time into it!]

I love hockey; always have. I played just like every other kid: on ponds, on asphalt, on driveways where the snow is packed down to an almost ice-like consistency, in the gym on lunch and after school... we all have played and have dreamed of a day where we could become a star in the National Hockey League, the greatest league in the world. This league also has the most prestigious trophy: the Stanley Cup. And this year, my Red Wings won it!!

No other game involves as much coordination [I'll probably get a few scowls with this one] as the game of hockey. NHLers [for the most part] incorporate so many skills into their game, it is mind boggling! [see Alexander Ovechkin...see AO on youtube.com ] Skating, stickhandling, deking, passing, shooting, hitting -- all at a speed that is frequently breath-taking. Pavel Datsyuk, Marian Hossa, Henrik Zetterberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin, Joe Thornton, Marc Savard, Zdeno Chara, Jerome Iginla, Alexei Kovalev, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Teows, Scott Neidermayer, Devin Setoguchi, Patrick Marleau, Thomas Vanek, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf, Brian Campbell, Dion Phaneuf, Dan Boyle, Mike Green, Vincnt Lecavalier, Ilya Kovalchuk, Eric Staal, Jay Bouwmeester, Steve Stamkos, Drew Doughty, Shea Weber, Zach Parise, Nikolai Zherdev, Alexander Semin, Dany Heatley, Shane Doan and on and on.

I love the game.

I hope that this blog is the beginning of a wonderful journey!!

L8r

The Greatest Game On Earth