First they traded Hartford's Jordan Owens to the Detroit Red Wings for Kris Newbury and then they dealt goaltender Miika Wiikman and a seventh round pick in '11 to Phoenix for Anders Eriksson.Eriksson is a good addition should the Blueshirts actually make it to the playoffs or suffer a injury on the blueline (please be Redden, please be Redden). Much like the finally-healthy Mathieu Dandenault, Eriksson has a Cup on his resume and a helluva lot of experience. Even if he never steps on Broadway, he should be able to help Bobby Sanguinetti and the rest of the cubs on the Pack make a real run at the Calder Cup playoffs.
I remember watching Wiikman in the morning skates in Switzerland before last season and seeing some good things but he has been bouncing to the ECHL and clearly has been passed by Zaba and DosNueve on the depth chart. So no big loss there. I saw Owens play twice this season for Hartford and was impressed each time but will ultimately defer to Laurie at Beyond The Blueshirts for analysis (and she agrees):
"Newbury, a 28-year old center, gives the struggling Wolf Pack another option down the middle, while adding veteran experience and a player who’s not afraid to drop the gloves.The full piece is here and is well worth a gander. Both Newbury and Eriksson are pegged for Hartford and Mitch over at Howlings will be talking to both on Thursday so make sure you head over there to see what they have to say.
The cost, Owens, will be a tough pill for Wolf Pack fans to swallow."
Sather had nothing to say today and he didn't bother meeting with the media. But he did make a statement and it isn't a bad one: 'this is the team I built and this is the team I think will make the playoffs.'
I had hoped he would use his Jedi ways of persuasion to get rid of Redden but have to admit that I don't mind that he failed. I mean, I mind that we still have to deal with Redden, but I'm glad Glen didn't do anything dumb to get rid of him - like package him with Ryan Callahan or Brandon Dubinsky and a top pick. I don't like that Corey Potter got the boot back to the bus league but I guess nothing can sway Sather that the team would be better off with the kid instead of Redden or Rozsival. Or nothing can sway him from taking the ego hit that would be demoting the multimillion dollar mistakes that he signed.
That is to be expected, it is the same old story. The final chapter of this season's tale will be written by the same players who are currently on stage, strutting and fretting. Let's hope it is more than a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
But I wouldn't bet on it.
"Deadline 2010: Much Ado About Nothing"
The NHL trade deadline is a time of excitement, speculation, and high expectations for fans, players, and general managers alike. It's a period when teams can make significant moves to bolster their rosters for a playoff run or, in some cases, reshape their future. The 2010 NHL trade deadline was no exception. With rumors swirling and fans eagerly awaiting big trades, it was a day filled with anticipation. However, as we look back on Deadline 2010, it becomes apparent that, in some ways, it was much ado about nothing.
Chapter 1: The Hype
Leading up to the 2010 trade deadline, the hockey world was abuzz with trade rumors and speculations. Star players' names were tossed around like trading cards, and fans of every team had their dream scenarios of landing the big fish. It was a time when hope and excitement ran high, but it was also a time when many were destined for disappointment.
Chapter 2: The Big Names on the Block
Several high-profile players were rumored to be available, including Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Gaborik, and Ray Whitney, among others. These were players with undeniable talent and the potential to make a significant impact on any team lucky enough to acquire them. Fans of struggling franchises hoped that one of these stars might be the missing piece of their championship puzzle.
Chapter 3: The Deals That Were Made
As the trade deadline approached, several trades did materialize. Ilya Kovalchuk, one of the most coveted players, was dealt to the New Jersey Devils. Marian Gaborik joined the New York Rangers, and Ray Whitney found a new home with the Carolina Hurricanes. These were significant moves, but they weren't the blockbuster deals that had been hyped up.
Chapter 4: The Deals That Weren't Made
For all the speculation and anticipation, many of the rumored trades simply never happened. Star players like Tomas Vokoun, Keith Tkachuk, and Dan Hamhuis remained with their respective teams. Fans who had been hoping for a major shakeup were left disappointed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why do trade deadlines often lead to so much speculation and hype?
A1: Trade deadlines offer teams a chance to make last-minute improvements or changes to their rosters, and fans love to speculate about potential moves that could impact their favorite teams.
Q2: Were there any surprise trades or deals that exceeded expectations during Deadline 2010?
A2: While some significant trades did happen, none truly lived up to the blockbuster hype that had been circulating in the days leading up to the deadline.
Q3: How do trade deadlines impact the dynamics of the NHL and individual teams?
A3: Trade deadlines can dramatically alter the landscape of the NHL. Teams can go from being playoff contenders to potential champions with the right acquisitions, while others may choose to rebuild for the future.
Deadline 2010 was a prime example of how the NHL trade deadline can generate massive hype and excitement, only to result in deals that, in hindsight, seem less earth-shattering than anticipated. While several significant trades did occur, they weren't the blockbuster moves that fans and analysts had been predicting. This phenomenon serves as a reminder that the unpredictable nature of sports is one of the things that makes them so captivating. Trade deadlines may be much ado about nothing in some years, but the anticipation and speculation they generate are an integral part of the NHL's charm.
No comments:
Post a Comment