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Its been a little more than 24 hours since the trade deadline has passed and some of the players that were moved yesterday have made their debut’s with their new teams, and the impact of the 22 trades involving 47 players has finally sunk in.
Nothing has really changed.
The Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks remain the favorites to emerge from the Western Conference, while Calgary is given some consideration.
The Flames improved their lineup by acquiring Olli Jokinen and Jordan Leopold, and San Jose added playoff experience with Travis Moen and Kent Huskins who won the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007.
Does this mean the Wings took a step back by not making a deal?
Not necessarily. The Wings made their deal back in the summer when they signed Marian Hossa, who is still the best player acquired by any team this season. Ty Conklin has turned in to an invaluable acquisition, also signed this past summer. And while other teams had to scout the opposition and give up assets in return to improve their club, Detroit “discovered” Ville Leino can boost the offensive production of the third and fourth lines. Jonathan Ericsson looks like a nice depth pick up along the blueline for the playoffs as well. Add Tomas Holmstrom to the list of additions to the line up as he will return from injury in time for the playoffs.
By all accounts I’d have to rate the Red Wings right up there amongst the winners at the deadline this year too.
For some other perspectives on the impact of the trade deadline, and winners and losers analysis, please check out these links:
National Writers
Analysis from fellow Examiners
And on this date, March 6, in Red Wings and NHL history,
Red Wings
1996: Chris Osgood became only the second goalie in NHL history to shoot and score a goal.
NHL
1920: Toronto loaned goalie Howard Lockhart to the Quebec Bulldogs, and then beat him and the Bulldogs 11-2. Mickey Roach scored five goals.
1923: Art Ross resigned as coach of the Hamilton Tigers.
1971: The Boston Bruins established anew record for wins in a season with a 6-3 over Pittsburgh. It was the Bruins 47th win, passing the previous mark of 46 set by Montreal in 1968-69.
1984: Dale Hawerchuk of the Winnipeg Jets set a record for assists in one period with five in a 7-3 win over Los Angeles.
1997: Mike Gartner of the Phoenix Coyotes scored twice to give 30 goals for the season for a record 17th time. Gartner finished his career as just one of five players to score more than 700 goals in his career.
For more info: Red Wings team history gathered from the team's website, and NHL history gathered from the book Total Hockey
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