Pittsburgh
The Penguins didn’t get a stud but they don’t need one with Crosby,
Malkin and Staal. They did added veteran leadership and most of all one of the best tough guys in the league with Laraque. He will make people think twice for running any of the young guns and he’s okay offensively. Roberts helps a lot too as he plays with grit.Detroit
The Red Wings gambled with the unstable Bertuzzi. Might be a good move and didn’t give up much. I guess they think he’s healthy enough to play this season. If healthy he will help the Wings but the question still remains will Hasek be healthy if not they are done. But with Todd we know he’s hard to stop but he doesn’t play hard all the time. Think about how much better this deal is now that Bert didn’t sign with Florida…we traded away Allen and Aulds for Luongo and Krajicek. What a steal of a deal! Nonis might be a genius…who would have thought Vancouver would have been playing this good? Not me.
Vancouver
The Canucks didn’t want to mess with their chemistry so they added a couple of pieces to the puzzle. I love getting Sopel back. He can play on the PP and PK and he will really help if Ohlund or Salo can’t stay healthy.
2 things I love about Sopel is his hockey hair and he shoots on the PP. Smolinski was an interesting move. I was unsure at the reason why but my friend Joey pointed out Bryan is now the 4th leading scorer on the Canucks. He’s played well, wins face offs, will play with Nazy, and is a big guy who will be harder to move from in front of the net. Both players must both be pumped to be moving to a hockey city like Van who’s sold out every night heading to the playoffs. BUT Van did lose to St.Louis tonight who was missing their top 2 scorers. Not a great night for Van. Personally I was hoping the Canucks would have landed Guerin to play on the RW with the Sedin’s and then Pyatt could move to Naslund’s line. Let’s be honest Luongo is the man and has a great shot at winning the Viezna.New York Islanders
The dumbest franchise in sports history finally did something right by getting Ryan Smyth.
This guy has been the heart and soul of the Oilers. The problem is he might mess up the plans of the Islanders if they end up signing him for $5 mil a year. Yashin, Smyth, and Dipietro are all making huge dollars…will they have enough $ to fill the rest of the roster with above average guys to get them over the hump? Probably not. (Good idea not trading Jason Blake he got a hat trick tonight)Ottawa
Unsure why Ottawa needs another European but they got Saprykin? I think Tkachuk would have been better.
Nashville
I think the Predators got the best player with
Forsberg at the deadline (when healthy). These guys are stacked with talent. And they got to have the best goaltending tandem in hockey with Vokoun and Mason. Have to be favoured to win it all.Edmonton
The Oilers trading Smyth definitely was the story of the day. I was totally surprised until I heard that he was asking for big bucks. You know who probably will be available in the off season in $5 mil range? Drury and or Briere. Thinking Edmonton will be going after either one of those guys. And if they can’t get one of those guys maybe they will get Ryan for cheaper playing for a crap team like the Islanders. He will be missing the fever of Oil country.
Edmonton is smarter than you think moving Smitty, think about it: Nilson a first rd pick in 2003, Mara a first rd pick in 2005, and they get the Islanders 1st pick in the 2007 draft. The Islanders gave up SO much for Captain Canada.
Philadelphia
As a Flyer fan I was pumped to get Biron out of Buffalo.
He needs to be a #1 and Esche is done. Feel bad for Biron to be going from a 1st place team to a team who has only won 16 games in dead last.Moving Forsberg might be a great deal … they got a ton in return. I love Upshall and Parent should be good sooner than later plus they got a 1st and 3rd rd pick for 2007. AND Forsberg might sign back with Philly on July 1st (I can always hope).
San Jose
The Sharks got more teeth to bite with when they landed Bill Guerin who has 29 goals on a junkie team. SJ is gearing up for a big run. They got all the tools to make a serious push. Thorton, Marleau, and Guerin on the PP…WOW. Picking up Rivet too is a good move. He’s solid…no Lidstrom but defensively solid.Toronto
I really like that the Leafs made a minor deal getting Perreault back. He is a face off specialist who will add depth to the Leafs. Not saying they will win the cup but I think Yanic helps.
Buffalo
Not sure the Sabres dealing Biron only for a 2nd Rd draft pick (thinking that’s what LA gave up for Cloutier) was a good move. Getting Conklin is a good backup but in the playoffs if Ryan Miller goes down I would rather have Biron. Good move getting Zubrus to add depth.Calgary
Many guys are saying the Flames made a great push at the deadline to put their team in a great position to make a run. I am not seeing how they can be thinking that. You know what Calgary needs? To win on the road! And in the playoffs winning on the road is MAJOR important. I like the move to get Stuart on D but he’s no Cam Neely (right Mr.Richmond - inside joke).
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I am going on record to say that the Phoenix Suns WILL win this year's NBA Championship. But you might say "Doesn't defense win championships what about Phoenix's defense giving up 100 pts a game?" Good point but the Colts won with a little defense and a ton of offense. Phoenix seems to always win the big game this season. They went on a bunch of win streaks. They are averaging 110 pts per game. Everyone on their team can put the ball in the net consistently. 
