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Eastern Conference Trade Deadline – Win, Lose Or Draw

By Jared Crozier |
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Jan 24, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Tim Thomas (34) makes a save against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period at BB&T Center. The Avalanche won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

At the trade deadline, each team has a different goal in mind.  Some complete that goal, while others have a more difficult time in doing so.  It is tough to grade each team when their end game is so vast, so you have to look at each team individually and determine what they did to help their team compared with what they would have done in a perfect world.

So, here is how the teams in the Eastern Conference performed in the past few days.

BOSTON BRUINS

Dec 23, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros (41) carriers the puck between Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard (2) and right wing Nino Niederreiter (22) during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Wild, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Shore up the defense given the injuries to Dennis Seidenberg and Adam McQuaid

WHAT THEY DID: Acquired Andrej Meszaros from Philadelphia for a 3rd round pick in 2014

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?:  They probably wanted a better option, but Meszaros is a serviceable defenseman who give them depth.  WIN

BUFFALO SABRES

Feb 26, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Matt Moulson (26) carries the puck up ice against the Boston Bruins during the second period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE: Unload impending UFA’s and precipitate a massive rebuild

WHAT THEY DID:

WIN/LOSE/DRAW? – Combined with the picks his predecessor acquired in the Vanek-Moulson deal, the Sabres are set for the rebuild.  And they will look to deal Stewart in the off-season.   WIN

CAROLINA HURRICANES

Jan 25, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu (15) is congratulated by teammates after his second period goal against the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Purge some salary by dumping potential UFA’s, possibly find a decent deal for Cam Ward.

WHAT THEY DID:  Traded Tuomo Ruutu to New Jersey for Andrei Loktionov and an conditional 3rd rd pick in 2017.

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?:  They got younger and cheaper.  WIN

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Dec 21, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Marian Gaborik (10) controls the puck during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated Philadelphia 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Get something for impending UFA’s while building towards a playoff run at the same time.

WHAT THEY DID:

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?:  The Blue Jackets got something for Gaborik, which could be addition by subtraction.  Tyrell and Taromina are depth players who might contribute down the stretch.  Schultz adds a defensive presence.   WIN

DETROIT RED WINGS

Dec 27, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Nashville Predators center David Legwand (11) watches from the bench during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Predators 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Shore up the middle with the massive number of injuries to centres on the roster.

WHAT THEY DID:  Acquired David Legwand from Nashville for Patrick Eaves, a prospect and a 3rd round pick

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?:  With Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Darren Helm and Stephen Weiss all out of the lineup, Legwand will be like trying to plug a hole in a dam with your finger.   LOSE

FLORIDA PANTHERS

Mar 1, 2014; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) warms up off ice during practice the day before the Heritage Classic hockey game against the Ottawa Senators at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Purge some salary, continue to rebuild and get something for impending free agents.

WHAT THEY DID:

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?  Getting Luongo shores up the goaltending for the next few years, and also helps at the box office, where they could definitely use the help.  Pirri was under the radar, but after being buried in a deep system in Chicago could end up being a steal.  WIN

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Jan 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Islanders left wing Thomas Vanek (26) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Islanders defeated the Stars 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Get bigger and more talented up front, increase mobility and size on defense.

WHAT THEY DID:

  • Acquired Thomas Vanek from NYI with a conditional 5th rd pick for Sebastien Collberg and a 2nd rd pick (conditional)
  • Acquired Mike Weaver from Florida for a 5th round pick
  • Acquired Devan Dubnyk from Nashville for future considerations

WIN/LOSE/DRAW? – Vanek was one of the prizes and most sought after names.  He brings size and skill, but needs to bring it every night and show he cares.  Weaver is a smallish player who will help a bit and Dubnyk is insurance against a longer term injury to Carey Price. They did all this without giving up a roster player  WIN

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Feb 27, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils center Andrei Loktionov (21) shoots the puck during the first period of their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Improve heading into a playoff run, perhaps find a place for Martin Brodeur

WHAT THEY DID:

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?: Brodeur is still a Devil, and rightly so.  Ruutu is an oft injured player who isn’t very quick and the Devils needed to add speed.  DRAW

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Jan 21, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald (47) skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The New York Islanders won the game 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  With the injury to John Tavares virtually ending any playoff hope, the Isles were looking to hit a home run to make up for what they gave up for Thomas Vanek.  Also move other UFAs

WHAT THEY DID:

  • Dealt Andrew MacDonald to Philadelphia for 2 picks (2nd & 3rd) and a prospect
  • Traded Thomas Vanek to Montreal along with a conditional pick for a conditional 2nd round pick and Sebatien Collberg

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?:  For the assets they were dealing with, they didn’t get nearly enough.  The Vanek for Moulson trade looks even worse than it did Tuesday, and Garth Snow‘s job might be in jeopardy because of it.  A case of the Islanders being the Islanders.  LOSE

NEW YORK RANGERS

Mar 1, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Rangers right wing Ryan Callahan (24) against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Sign or trade Ryan Callahan and get something back for him.

WHAT THEY DID:

  • Traded Callahan, a first and a conditional second round pick to Tampa Bay for Martin St. Louis
  • Acquired Raphael Diaz from Vancouver for a 5th round pick

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?:  While many people are lauding the Rangers for adding St. Louis, they have drastically altered their entire team culture in one fell swoop by trading their heart and soul.   Straight up, the St. Louis for Callahan deal might be a wash, but throw in potentially 2 first round picks and they simply gave up too much for a 39 year old winger.  LOSE

OTTAWA SENATORS

Mar 4, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ales Hemsky (83) carries the puck up ice during the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Acquire the assets that will get them over the hump in the playoff race, while also possibly moving impending UFAs

WHAT THEY DID

  • Signed Chris Phillips to a 2 year contract extension
  • Acquired Ales Hemsky from Edmonton for a 3rd rd pick and a 5th round pick

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?  Hemsky wasn’t option A and is a rental, but could also help the team down the road.  Keeping Phillips was a key on and off the ice.   WIN

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Jan 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald (47) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Islanders defeated the Stars 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE: Shore up defensively

WHAT THEY DID

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?:  The Flyers definitely improved in their own end, and got rid of a costly contract at the same time.  WIN

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Jan 24, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames right wing Lee Stempniak (22) skates during the warmup period against the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Get defensive depth to account for the injuries to Kris Letang and Paul Martin, add forward depth without giving up key defensive blue chip prospects and possibly add an experienced goaltender as insurance for the seemingly inevitable Marc-Andre Fleury playoff meltdown.

WHAT THEY DID:

  • Acquired Marcel Goc from Florida for a 3rd and 5th round pick
  • Acquired Lee Stempniak from Calgary for a 3rd round pick

WIN/LOSE/DRAW? They got some marginal forward players who will contribute, but they missed out on some defensemen that would help.  DRAW

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Mar 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis (26) during a break in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE: Trade Martin St. Louis if a suitable deal could be found.

WHAT THEY DID:

  • Traded Martin St. Louis to the Rangers for Ryan Callahan, a 1st round pick in 2015 and a conditional pick in 2014 (currently a 2nd round pick)
  • Dealt Dana Tyrell and Matt Taormina to Columbus for Dalton Smith and Jonathan Marchessault

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?: Considering the bind St. Louis put GM Steve Yzerman in, the Lightning made out like bandits.  Oh yeah, and they also pulled the biggest addition of them all when Steven Stamkos was cleared to play almost 4 months after his leg injury.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Oct 30, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Dave Bolland (63) passes the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Toronto Maple Leafs won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Shore up defensively, increased forward depth.

WHAT THEY DID: nothing

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?  They didn’t address any weaknesses at all.  LOSE

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Feb 26, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; St. Louis Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak (41) reacts to the goal by Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen (36) (not pictured) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

GOAL HEADING INTO DEADLINE:  Upgrade goaltending, get stronger defensively, add size, move disgruntled Martin Erat

WHAT THEY DID:

WIN/LOSE/DRAW?  Erat is addition by subtraction.  Penner was good in the Kings’ Stanley Cup run a couple of years ago and has 2 Stanley Cup rings.  Halak is an upgrade in goal.  WIN

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