Lindback Traded.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have gotten their goalie for the future in Andres Lindback. Lindback along with a 7th Round Pick and Kyle Wilson was traded for two 2nd Round Picks, Sebastian Caron, and a 3rd Round Pick. The second round picks come from both Minnesota and Philadelphia.

Quote from Andres Lindback (source: NHL.com): “I’m very excited to now be with the Tampa Bay Lightning. I had some great years with Nashville but I was in a tough spot behind Pekka Rinne. My dream all my life has been to be a number one goalie in the NHL and I think I have a great opportunity to be that in Tampa Bay.”

“I’ve heard great things about the city of Tampa and the Lightning organization. I’m friends with Victor Hedman and he’s told me lots about the team there. I’m thrilled and excited to start next season with the Lightning.”

“It’s going to be great playing on such an offensive team. Obviously, having Steven Stamkos, Vinny and Marty on your team is exciting for anyone. It’s the kind of team I want to be a part of and excited to have this new opportunity ahead of me.”

Winners:

Alson: I think Nashville wins. Even though Tampa gets their goalie, Nashville gets two second round picks. Before the trade, the Preds had zero picks in the first two rounds. Now they have two. Also, they get a backup goalie back with Sebastien Caron. Lastly, Lindback is a RFA. He will be expecting a pay raise from his $875,000 if he is to be the #1 goalie that most people expect him to be.


Kyle: I say Tampa Bay because Tampa Bay finally gets their number one goalie that they crave so bad. Although Lindback is not very proven since he had limited playing time in Nashville, I believe his size will help his career as a number one goalie.

Brad Stuart Traded

Brad Stuart has been traded from the Detroit Red Wings to the San Jose Sharks. In exchange the Red Wings recieve a conditional pick in 2014.

This is a great move for Stuart as he gets to stay closer with his family on the west coast. I will continue to update you guys with the condition and the round of the picks.

Update:
4:49 To my understanding right now it is Andrew Miller and Condtional 7th Rounder in 2014. I also believe it is the ability to sign him.

Penguins Acquire Rights To Vokoun

The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded their 2012 7th Round Pick to the Washington Capitals in exchange for the rights of Tomas Vokoun. Right after, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they have signed the pending UFA to a 2 year - $4M contract. This is a significant blow to teams looking for goaltending as he was to be one of the best goalie UFA's available.

Trade

The Bruins recently traded C Zach Hamill to the Washington Capitols for LW Chris Bourque.

This trade probably had no hockey value but just to keep Ray Bourque, Chris Bourque's father, happy. Ray Bourque spent nearly his entire career in Beantown and probably wants his son to play with the same stoied franchise.

Washington wins the trade because they get a great young player for someone who is probably going to be a career minor player. Hamill was drafted 8th overall in the 2007 draft and should have some value

Just on a side note, 18 years from the day Hamill was drafted 8th overall in the 2007 draft, the Bruins made another 8th overall draft pick. Guess who that was: Ray Bourque

Winners of the Deadline

Montreal/Nashville Trade:

Nashville gets: Andrei Kostitsyn
Montreal gets: 2nd round pick (2013) and a 5th round conditional pick (2013)
Winners:
Wexler: Montreal because they got rid of Kostitsyn, another older player and are starting to shape up to be a younger team (P.K. Subban, Lars Eller, Max Pacioretty & many picks). Kostitsyn doesn't seem to be able to help the Preds deep into the playoffs.  
Alson: Draft Pick are just so hard to analyze. If Andrei continues at his pace Nashville wins, but for now, Montreal wins.
Mahbod: Nashville because Andrei can now play with his brother Sergei and thier chemistry will produce lots of points.
Kyle: I'm going with Nashville because statistically, a 2nd round pick has a 25-30% chance of making the NHL and Andrei is already an NHLer so it really depends if Montreal gets lucky with the draft picks.
G Tai: Nashville. I think that Nashville added better offense and look good for a deep playoff run.

Tampa/Detroit Trade:
Tampa gets: Mike Commodore
Detroit gets: 7th round conditional pick (2013)

Winners:
Alson: Hands down. Tampa wins. They barely gave up anything. Yes I know Commodore barely played. However, most 7th round picks reach the NHL do they?
Kyle: Tampa Bay because Commodore can already play in the NHL but the 7th round pick would probably be a career minor leaguer... Congrats to Steve Yzerman for making this deal.
Wexler: 1st of all, the 7th round pick would probably be cut in training camp and become a free agent. Tampa wins for sure even if they added a new scratch to their lineup.
Mahbod: Tampa Bay. Mike Commodore is a solid player, but a conditional seventh round pick for him is just like, "here just take him." They technically got Commodore for free.
G Tai: Tampa Bay, who doesn't want a free defensemen?

Minnesota/Edmonton Trade:
Minnesota gets: Tom Gilbert
Edmonton gets: Nick Schultz
Winners:
Kyle: Can't really say... both are big defencemen that don't really put up much points.
Mahbod: Minnesota wins. Tom Gilbert in my opinion is better than Nick Schultz. Schultz is just a big bodied defenceman but Gilbert can actually move the puck around.
Alson: Two great players, I don't know this one...
Wexler: The Wild just because I think that Gilbert will break out and play better with a better club.
G Tai: I'm going to say minnesota because they do some production from their defense since Burns left.

Toronto/Tampa Trade:
Toronto gets: Carter Ashton
Tampa gets: Keith Aulie
Winners:
Mahbod: Toronto. Ashton has not yet played an NHL game but he's only 20 and has a lot of potential. Future top 6 for Toronto.
Wexler: Carter Ashton is never going to be a top 6 forward but he does sound alot more interesting on paper than Keith Aulie. Toronto wins here.
Kyle: Toronto because Ashton is a future first liner with Toronto who can put up points and has a big body to deliver crushing checks. Aulie never had a place with Toronto's many defencemen and he doesn't put up many points.
Alson: Toronto. They needed a big guy to play for them, Ashton's their man. Toronto also has so many defenseman it doesn't hurt to spare one.
G Tai: Toronto, they needed a big forward and they get one

San Jose/Colorado Trade:
San Jose gets: Daniel Winnik, T.J. Galiardi, a 7th round pick (2012)
Colorado gets: Jamie McGinn, Mike Sgarbossa, Mike Connolly
Winners:
Wexler: San Jose because Galiardi is a very underrated player especially because of his unknown scoring ability.
Kyle: San Jose because Winnik and Galiardi can add scoring to their already potent offence of Jumbo Joe and Marleau. McGinn doesn't score as much as either of those two and I haven't even heard of those 2 prospects.
Alson: San Jose. They barely gave up anything for two future studs.
Mahbod: Colorado, because Jamie McGinn is a guy who can be a grinder while being a full-on scorer. He's fast, young and great to play the 3rd line on the Avalanche with David Jones.
G Tai: San Jose because they added NHLers instead of possible NHLers

Tampa/Ottawa Trade:
Tampa gets: Brian Lee
Ottawa gets: Matt Gilroy
Winners:
Kyle: Who are these guys?
Alson: Another toss up. I don't know this one...
Mahbod: Ottawa. Matt Gilroy is a two-way player that sometimes plays 4th line left wing when there is an injury. Also, he's big which is always good right?
Wexler: Tampa for sure because Lee is a great player for penalty killing. He might have some good chemistry with other players in Tampa...
G Tai: Ottawa, Brian Lee is pretty much a draft bust and gilroy has more offensive on his stick

Vancouver/Columbus Trade:
Vancouver gets: Samuel Pahlsson
Columbus gets: 4th round pick (2012), 4th round pick (2012)
Winners:
Alson: Vancouver wins this one. I would have expected Pahlsson to be traded for something like a 2nd and a 5th.
Mahbod: Vancouver wins. Two 4th round picks won't do anything. You might land 2 Steven Reinprecht (who?) type players with them. Pahlsson is a veteran with a lot of experience to bring to the young Canucks.

Wexler: Vancouver because they added some more depth upfront as well as a veteran Stanley Cup winner.

Kyle: Vancouver because 2 fourth round picks wont get you 2 NHL calibre players.
G Tai: Vancouver because of his faceoff ability and the picks are pretty much worthless.


Chicago/Winnipeg Trade:
Chicago gets: Johnny Oduya
Winnipeg gets: 2nd round pick (2013), 3rd round pick (2013)
Winners:
Mahbod: Winnipeg because I think a second rounder would have been enough for Oduya. He's gonna end up on the 3rd line of defence, if he plays at all. Chicago already has 6 good defencemen: Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Leddy, Boynton, Lepisto and exciting rookie Dylan Olson who plays the first line with Keith sometimes. 
Wexler: Chicago because they are just adding to their already tough defense without giving up much, I thought Oduya was worth a bit more than a 2nd & a 3rd.
*which does not have any holes to fill in
Kyle: Chicago because they desperately needed more defencemen and Oduya fits the role.
Alson: Winnipeg. They already claimed Clitisome to replace him so by giving him up for picks they are just helping their future.
G Tai: Winnipeg because they are really growing as a young team and could use those picks in trades or draft.


Boston/NY Islanders Trade:
Boston gets: Brian Rolston, Mike Mottau
NY Islanders get: Yannick Riendeau, Marc Cantin
Winners:
Wexler: Islanders because they are rebuilding and it helps to bring in players in their early 2o's and ship players in their 30's. I can see them adding another young piece during the off season and doing well next year.
Kyle: Islanders because they freed up a ton of cap space by trading away Rolston and Mottau.
Alson: Neither. Boston gets old contracts while New York gets salary cap relief... But if I had to Boston wins because they get a veteran presence..
Mahbod: Boston. Rolston and Mottau are nice third and fourth liners while Riendeau and Cantin are just minor leaguers.
G Tai: Boston because they get what they wanted with Horton and Peverley and Boychuk out


Nashville/Buffalo Trade:
Nashville gets: Paul Gaustad, 4th round pick (2013)
Buffalo gets: 1st round pick (2012)
Winners:
Kyle: Buffalo because Gaustad is not worth a first round pick. He is an ageing forward with little scoring touch.
Alson: Buffalo wins this one. The reported asking price was a 1st rounder. They got their asking price minus a little bit. Not too often players get traded for asking price.
Mahbod: Nashville because Gaustad will play with the Kostitsyns and they will put up a lot of points.
Wexler: Buffalo!!! This is one of the trades that made me think they were the winners of the deadline. 
G Tai: Nashville because they get grit, offense and faceoff prescence

Boston/Minnesota Trade:
Boston gets: Greg Zanon
Minnesota gets: Steve Kampfer
Winners:
Alson: Minnesota won this one. I feel Kampfer will have a good career and that he will be a consistent top 4 defenseman in a year or two.
Mahbod: Minnesota. Kampfer is young and has a lot of potential. Good future ahead of him.
Wexler: Minnesota because Zanon & Zidlicky are now both out of the franchise clearing up a lot of cap space. The expensive Z's will take there contracts to teams in the playoff picture.
Kyle:Minnesota because Kampfer is a good puck moving defencemen and those are hard to come by in the NHL
G Tai: Minnesota because like what Kyle said, you need a defensemen who can contribute on the offense

NY Rangers/Chicago Trade:
NY Rangers get: John Scott
Chicago gets: 5th round pick (2012)
Winners:
Mahbod: John Scott is a nice tough guy defenseman that can play left wing. He is worth a 5th round pick. He will just add toughness to the already tough Rangers.
Wexler: John Scott is an exciting player to watch!!! Coming to my Rangers!!! Rangers are my winners in the blink of an eye.
Kyle: Never heard of John Scott... so Chicago for getting the 5th round pick.
Alson: Chicago. They get rid of an enforcer. They can use the 5th round pick to a good use.
G Tai: I know he's big but that's all I know about him. Can't comment on this


Toronto/Anaheim Trade:
Toronto gets: Mark Fraser
Anaheim gets: Dale Mitchell
Winners:
Wexler: Toronto because Dale Mitchell was getting boring over at the Ricoh Coliseum!
Kyle: Anaheim because Fraser can't score, even at the AHL level and has no NHL experience. Mitchell has some NHL experience and was decent last year for the NJ Devils (26 GP, 2A, +2)
Alson: Toronto. Even though they both wont be stars, Mark Fraser plays a more composed game with a good checking skill. Dale Mitchell has a better shot and better stability ,but lets his emotions get over him sometimes.
Mahbod: Toronto. Mark Fraser is a hard hitting defenceman that can fill in for injury prone players like JML and Komisarek.
G Tai: Going to go against the home team and say Anahiem. Dale Mitchell's been in the sysem for a long time and all he needs is a chance.


Vancouver/Buffalo Trade:
Vancouver gets: Zack Kassian, Marc-Andre Gragnani
Buffalo gets: Cody Hodgson, Alexander Sulzer
Winners: 
Kyle: Vancouver because they got a big forward in Kassian and a possible future all star in Gragnani. Although Hodgson is a great player, I think Kassian and Gragnani are better.
Alson: Oh, the big deal of the day. I think Vancouver wins this one. Even though Buffalo got the center they wanted to replace Gaustad, Vancouver got their tough winger, plus a defenseman that I feel will make a difference in Vancouver, especially with Ballard injured.
Mahbod: Buffalo. Hodgson is already at more than 32 points in his rookie year. Potential everywhere.

Wexler: Buffalo!!! Hodgson is going to become a star there and all that Buffalo needs is one more top 4 wing (Hint... on the Blackhawks...) and they will be a huge playoff contender for the next 5 years.

G Tai: Vancouver because Gragnani is young and if he plays like last year's playoff, this is a steal.

Vancouver/Anaheim Trade:
Vancouver gets: Andrew Gordon
Anaheim gets: Sebastian Erixon

Winners:

Alson: Anaheim wins this one. Erixon is a smooth defenseman that needs to show consistency if he shows consistency, he will be a good defenseman for the Ducks.

Mahbod: Vacnouver. Andrew Gordon is an all in one package. He is a utility two-way grinding power forward who scores and makes plays. Just not at a large scale.

Wexler:  Vancouver because I can see Gordon to be the same type of players as a David Steckel but I really cannot see Erixon doing much.

Kyle: Vancouver because they get neither of them have a lot of NHL experience but Gordon has more and can be a fourth liner and add some grit to the Canucks
G Tai: Vancouver because they need more grit like last year. 

TRADE DEADLINE DEALS.

10:00

TO MONTREAL: TO NASHVILLE:

2013 2nd Round Pick Andrei Kostitsyn
2013 Conditional 5th Round Pick

12:57
TO TAMPA BAY: TO DETROIT:
Mike Commodore 2013 Conditional 7th Round Pick

1:06
TO MINNESOTA: TO EDMONTON:
Nick Schultz Tom Gilbert


1:43
TO TORONTO: TO TAMPA BAY:
Carter Ashton Keith Aulie

2:01
TO SAN JOSE: TO COLORADO:
Daniel Winnik Jamie McGinn
TJ Galiardi Mike Sgarbossa
7th Round Pick Mike Connolly

2:06
TO TAMPA BAY: TO OTTAWA:
Brian Lee Matt Gilroy

2:06
TO VANCOUVER: TO COLOMBUS:
Samuel Pahlsson Fourth round pick (2013)

Fourth round pick (2014)

2:12
TO CHICAGO: TO WINNIPEG:
Johnny Oduya 2nd round pick (2013)
3rd round pick (2013)

3:12
TO BOSTON: TO NEW YORK ISLANDERS:
Brian Rolston TBA
Mike Motteau

3:20
TO NASHVILLE: TO BUFFALO:
Paul Gaustad 1st Round Pick
4th Round Pick
3:26
TO BOSTON: TO MINNESOTA:
Greg Zanon Steve Kampfer

3:36
TO VANCOUVER: TO BUFFALO:
Alex Sultzer Marc-Andre Gragnani
Codyt Hodgson Zack Kassian

3:40
TO NYR: TO CHICAGO:
John Scott 5th Round Pick

3:49
TO TORONTO: TO ANAHEIM:
Mark Fraser Dale Mitchell

3:58
TO VANCOUVER: TO ANAHEIM:
Andrew Gordon Sebastien Erixon

TOTAL:
16 TRADES
31 PLAYERS
11 PICKS

Ben Bishop to the Ottawa Senators

It is believed right now that St. Louis has a deal in place with the Ottawa Senators that would send G Ben Bishop to the Ottawa Senators for an unknown return. He is a Group VI Free Agent this year. If he plays 15+ games, this year in the NHL, he will be a UFA if he plays less than 15, he will be a RFA. The main problem apparently, is that GM Bryan Murray wants to sign him to an extension before the trade goes through.

Bishop is a starting NHL goalie playing in the minor leagues due to the amazing season of both Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliot. All the people I have spoke to believe that Bishop has star quality. His big frame, (6'7) allows him to cover more space. Bishop also has good angles and knows where to stand.

Keep it here for updates.

Updates:
11:29 Appears to be done...
11:39 It's done. Awaiting confirmation.
THE OTTAWA SENATORS HAVE TRADED A CONDITIONAL SECOND ROUND PICK TO THE ST. LOUIS BLUES IN EXCHANGE FOR G BEN BISHOP. THE OTTAWA SENATORS HAVE ALSO RE-SIGNED BISHOP TO A ONE YEAR ONE WAY CONTRACT.

Winners:
Alson: Ottawa won this one. Bishop will be a star in this league.It depends on the condition though and what will the other pick be.

Wexler: Ottawa because they needed a goalie to cover in for Anderson. The Sens picked up a really underrated goalie in Bishop because of St. Louis' other star goalies. I think Bishop will lead the Sens into a deep round in the playoffs.

Kyle: Ottawa for sure, since they are high up on the Eastern Conference, the pick will be a late one. In Bishop, they got 2 NHL future all star goaltenders in Bishop and Lehner. In my mind, the Blues could've gotten him for a first round or another prospect.

Mahbod: I actually think St. Louis won. They can use that 2nd round pick to get a John-Michael Liles level player that can boost their play. Ben Bishop is only currently a minor's goalie and Ottawa has countless backup goalies including Auld, Lehner, Leclaire and Mike Brodeur. Ben Bishop just falls in. Although Ben Bishop is expected to be really good; a second round pick is a nice tradeable asset.

Wojtek Wolski traded to Florida

Wojtek Wolski has been to Florida in exchange for young defenceman Mike Vernace and a third round pick.
Wolski, 26, only played 9 games this year for New York and had 3 points. He spent the rest of the season in the minors.

Winners
Alson: I have to go with the Rangers. Wolski is in the minors for a reason and a third round pick was all he was really worth. However, I still give Wolski credit. He is absolutely amazing in shootouts and this move gives him a fresh start. I am also hearing maybe the Wolski trade is only a precursor.. Time will tell.

Wexler: I think Rangers won this deal only for one purpose. The fact that they dumped Wolskis's contract on another unlucky team, Florida!!!

Mahbod: Rangers are the winners. Wolski just wasn't fitting in and I don't see how he would fit in with Florida either. Vernace is a good puck-moving offensive defenceman and that third round pick is a nice tradeable asset.

Kyle: Florida, since this could be Wolski's wake up call. His ice time has dwindled ever since he arrived at MSG. A change of scenery and more ice time will do Wojtek good and he will put up more points with the Panthers.

Marek Zidlicky trade to New Jersey Devils Imminent.

Marek Zidlicky was asked to waive his no trade clause today. It is widely believed that the New Jersey Devils are the ones who are most interested in him. We expect a trade imminently. He has been benched multiple times this season and has expressed his displeasure towards coach Mike Yeo and the Wild organization.

Keep here for the latest updates.

Update:
7:53 Hearing Kurtis Foster + Pick for Zidlicky?
8:00 Kurtis Foster scratched before the game.
8:01 Sounding like a done deal.
8:45 DONE DEAL. OFFICIAL.

TO NEW JERSEY:
D MAREK ZIDLICKY

TO MINNESOTA WILD:
D KURTIS FOSTER
W STEPHANE VEILLEUX
W NICK PALMIERI
2012 2ND ROUND PICK
CONDITIONAL 2013 3RD ROUND PICK
CONDITION: IF THE DEVILS MAKE THE CONFERENCE FINALS AND ZIDLICKY PLAYS 75% GAMES THE WILD GET A 2013 3RD AS WELL.

Analysis to come:

Winners:
Alson: Minnesota won this one for sure. Zidlicky is a big name yes, but he's old, complaning, and on the moonlight of his career. The Devils gave up a NHL D man, an average winger, a future second line winger, and a second. That's too much for me.

Kyle: Minnesota because Zidlicky is sort of a rental for the New Jersey Devils. He is in the twilight of his career and won't be a huge impact like Adam Larsson for the Devils. In Zidlicky, the Wild got an offensive d-man in Foster (he has a booming slapshot), Nick Palmieri and other players and a second and possible third round pick. In my mind, Zidlicky was only worth the second and third round pick.

Mahbod: Im going to go ahead and say Minnesota won this deal. Marek Zidlicky is a big name, but he hasn't been doing much this year with only 14 points. Kurtis Foster is a smooth skating defenceman that can chalk up some points. Kyle Palmieri is a young gun with plenty of potential and lastly, Stephane Veilleux is a nice little Utility Forward for the 4th line or an injury filler. Plus all of this Minnesota got a 2nd round pick. Basically New Jersey traded for the name Zidlicky rather than the player.

Wexler: New Jersey wins this because they acquired a "big name" defenseman without giving up much. Zidlicky could also help with the inconsistency of New Jersey Defenseman Anton Volchenkov.

Preds - Florida trade.

Jerred Smithson of the Nashville Predators has been traded to the Florida Panthers for a 6th Round Pick.

Analysis:
Jerred Smithson is just your average dime a dozen fighter/ third or fourth liner. He has one goal and four assists and 30 PIMS in 53 games.

Winners:
Alson: Calgary wins this one. Even though Jerred Smithson is average, he has shown at times that he can score. The 6th round pick is well. Just a 6th round pick. It's not worth much.
Mahbod:
Kyle:I agree with Alson, a sixth round pick is useless and is probably going to be a career minor leaguer. Jerred has a chance of staying in the NHL if Calgary needs some grit.
Wexler:

Jeff Carter to LA

It is exploding all over the media that Jeff Carter to the LA Kings is a REAL possibility. The deal may finsih within the next 24 hours ,unless something big happens.

Refresh for updates when they come!

Update:
6:30 Jonathan Bernier will NOT be involved in the trade talks.
6:34 Jeff Carter for Jack Johnson and a 1st is a real possibility.
6:40 Pierre LeBrun of ESPN is saying that if the LA deal gets done that pretty much leaves the NYR and the SJ Sharks for Rick Nash.
6:42 Rumblings are that the main thing stopping this deal is that the CBJ wants a roster player as well.
6:52 Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period is reporting that Carter's attitude may be the problem.

6:56 Jeff Carter is trending Worldwide on Twitter and Jack Johnson is trending in LA as well.
7:26 Helene Elliot of the LA Times via @NHLWiki has said that the trade is waiting to be confirmed.
7:49 Both Leafs' GM Brian Burke and Assistant GM Dave Nonis are nowhere to be seen 10 minutes into the game. I assume its to make one last push for Carter.
7:54 @The_Creasy is reporting that CBJ is waiting for one more phone call before finalizing the deal. Perhaps it's the Leafs? Dave Nonis and Brian Burke are no where to be seen...
8:00 Hearing the problem is that Leafs' GM Brian Burke is refusing to include the Leafs' 1st Round Pick.
8:37 CBJ GM Scott Howson will address media within the hour, we will catch that and post some updates on that.
8:37 OFFICIAL JEFF CARTER HAS BEEN TRADED. DEAL IS PENDING PHYSICAL.


TO LA KINGS:
F JEFF CARTER


TO COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
D JACK JOHNSON
CONDITIONAL 1ST ROUND PICK.
CONDITION: IF LA MISSES PLAYOFFS IT EITHER BECOMES 2012 1ST ROUNDER OR 2013 FIRST ROUNDER. IF LA MAKES THE PLAYOFFS IT BECOMES A 2013 FIRST ROUNDER.


Winners:
Mahbod: Los Angeles is your winner. Carter was unhappy and unmotivated in CBJ, which may be the reason for his scoring slump. With the addition of Jeff Carter, LA will soar because now they have the previously stacked chemistry between Carter and Mike Richards from Philly on the Power Play. Add Kopitar, Brown and Gagne to that and you have a dangerous team.

Kyle: I'm going to go with LA because they got a proven goal scorer who should mesh well with Mike Richards since they were former teammates. Jack Johnson's play hasn't been that great this year and if Carter wakes up from his slump, the first round pick will become a late one and not worth it for Carter.

Alson: LA wins this one. In 11 years (when Carter's contract ends) a fourth liner will probably make as much as Carter makes now. The 1st round pick will probably a late round pick anyways. Carter and Richards' chemistry is unmistakable and now with another threat like Carter, LA is a team to be feared. But on that note, I think its a matter of time before they get caught doing something stupid...

Wexler: In my opinion this is diffidently a win for Columbus. Jeff Carter did not have any chemistry in Columbus an he wasn't going to preform at his full potential there. Meanwhile the Blue Jackets have gotten a younger top 2 Defensman in Johnson and a 1st round pick which may become very important if the Kings do not make the playoffs. I really don't know what these guys are talking about but Columbus is at a rebuilding stage, where Carter would not have not fit in with and may have up to 4 first round picks in the 2012 draft if they deal Rick Nash as well.

Segal to Tampa; Fornataro to Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks have traded Brandon Segal to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Matt Fornataro. Segal, 28 has played over 70 NHL games and totals 20 points while Fornataro, who is 26 has no NHL experience.

Winners
Mahbod: I think the Lightning came out on top on this deal. Fornataro is 26 and still hasn't made his NHL debut and will most likely spend the rest of his career in the minors. Brandon Segal is a nice little mid-aged player to have scratched or in the minors so that when he comes up to fill in for an injured player, he can play with more confidence because of his prior experience.

Kyle: I Agree with Mahbod since Segal can be the emergency call up if there is an injury to any player on the NHL roster. He has NHL experience so that makes him get picked earlier for a call up than an untested rookie.

3 Team trade.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded F Steve Downie to the Colorado Avalanche. In return, the Colorado Avalanche gave up F Kyle Quincey. Lastly, Quincey has been traded to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for D Sebastien Piche and a 1st Round Pick in 2012.

Steve Downie is a gritty 2nd or 3rd liner that can fight, grit, and score every so often. He is a pending UFA earning $1.85Million this year.

Kyle Quincey is talented 2nd line defenseman that is good all around ability. He can score and do it all, but is inconsistent at times. If he becomes consistent, the Red Wings win this trade for sure.

Sebastien Piche is a projected depth defenseman that has a good slap shot, and ok defensive skills. I expect him to be a minor leaguer all his career.

Winners:
Wexler: In my opinion the winner was Tampa because they are adding more and more picks to go along with their already youthful team. Also adding a young defenseman, Sebastien Piche who is currently playing in the AHL but has some potential. Also I do not think that Kyle Quincey will make a big impact on Detroit during their playoff run.

Mahbod: I believe that the Colorado Avalanche won in this deal. They have a decent defensive core including players such as Eric Johnson, Shane O'Brien and Ryan O'Byrne. The Avalanche are in 11th place in the West, but only 3 points out of the playoffs and with the addition of Steve Downie -a grinder who also lights up the score board- they have a much higher chance of making the playoffs, because now they have stacked offense. With Matt Duchene, Paul Stastny, Peter Mueller, Milan Hejduk, Gabe Landeskog and Steve Downie, not only do I think that they will make the playoffs, but they are probably going to have a deep run too.

Kyle: Red Wings because Quincey adds scoring to their defence. Downie is really only used as an enforcer and the first round pick of Detroit will be low in the draft because they are leading the Western Conference.

Pavel Kubina traded.

Citing multiple twitter feeds, I can confirm that Pavel Kubina HAS indeed been traded to the Philadephia Flyers for a 2nd round pick and a 5th round pick. The problem now is that the Flyers has 51 players on contract and the limit is 50. A player WILL be moved along with that or a new trade will happen.

Updates:
7:08 Instead of a fifth it will be a fourth.
7:22 It will be Florida's 2012 2nd round pick from the Kris Versteeg trade and a 2013 4th round pick.
11:20 Jon Kalinski has been added along to reach the 50 contract limit. Kalinski is a projected fourth liner that can score every so often. However, his fists are pretty strong and will be a good enforcer.

Winners:
Wexler: I'm gonna go with Tampa on this one because we now know that they have no intention to make the playoffs this year and are adding picks for the upcoming draft. The 2 picks today give Tampa 3 in the past two days adding to the youth on their team.
Kyle: It really depends on the picks, but I would say Philadelphia because they will go far in the playoffs and their picks are going to be late ones. Kubina can help stabilize their blue line along with Grossman.

Hal Gill traded.

Hal Gill of the Montreal Canadiens has been traded to the Nashville Predators along with a conditional fifth round pick (2013). In return, the Nashville Predators have given up Robert Slaney, Blake Geoffrion, and a second round pick (2012).

Analysis to come.

Winners:
Kyle: Canadiens because Gill is really only good for 1-2 more seasons. They also get Geoffrien, Slaney and the second round pick. In the end, Nashville must've been very desperate to obtain Gill because they gave up a lot to acquire him.
Wexler: Preds because bringing in Gill adds to there already tough defense. They are going into the playoffs with one of the strongest and underrated defense in the league and adding Gill makes their defense a lot  stronger.

Another trade. Here it goes.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded C Dominic Moore and a 7th Round Pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2012 Second Round Pick.

Moore has been named in a lot of rumors and now that he has been traded, it seems that there's another highly sought after player off the market.

Winners:
Kyle: Sharks because Moore is a gritty player that brings toughness to the San Jose Sharks. Since the Sharks are third in the Western Conference, the second round pick will be a late one.
Wexler: The Sharks were the winners because the addition of Moore helps bring depth upfront to another playoff team. Also the pick is not an early one so it is not a big loss.

Breaking: Two Trades.

The Dallas Stars have traded D Nicklas Grossman to the Flyers for their 2012 2nd round pick , and a 2013 3rd round pick.
Grossman is a stay at home defender that the Flyers wanted very desperately. He will anchor the blue line and try to fill some of the void that Chris Pronger has left.

Winners:
Wexler: Flyers because they needed a defensive defenseman to fill the void from Pronger. The two picks wont do much because the flyers are a high ranked team looking to make it deep in the playoffs.
Kyle: Flyers needed a shutdown defender after Pronger was declared out for the season with post concussions syndrome. The picks won't get good unless the Flyers breakdown and fall out of playoff contention

The Anaheim Ducks trade D Bryan Rodney to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for C Ryan O'Marra.
Rodney is Defender that has played rather well for the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, I expect him to only be called up when there is an injury. O'Marra is a good bottom six center, that can be physical but needs to get more of a scoring punch. He is a good gritty physical player though.

Winners:
Kyle: Edmonton, they need defencemen and I believe he should get called up soon. Anaheim already has gritty forwards like Perry and Parros so they basically gave up an NHL Defencemen for an AHL forward.
Wexler: I'm gonna say the Ducks because the addition of O'Marra is going to help during the offseason when the contracts of three veteran forwards expire (Sealane, Blake, Koivu)

The Minnesota Wild have traded W Casey Wellman and a 2012 7th Round Pick to the New York Rangers in exchange for C Erik Christensen.

Analysis:
Casey Wellman is a good winger that has good hands. He excels at the AHL level but after multiple stints in the NHL, he hasn't been able to excel there.

Erik Christensen is a third line center. He's amazing on shootout goals but has been bouncing around the AHL and the NHL.

Trades

Trade 1:
Washington Capitals have traded W Matthew Ford to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for D Kevin Marshall

Marshall is a good stay at home defenseman that reminds me of a Dion Phaneuf type player. Not as good ,but has a strong shot with good checking technique. Good third defensive pair in the future.

Ford is a proven goal scorer that loves having the puck. He needs to be able to get in to open space and work a bit harder on his skating. Good third line for the future.

Trade 2:
Washington Capitals have traded D Danny Richmond to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Mike Carman.

Danny Richmond is a player I actually like a lot. Small player, but is very tough. Drafted in the second round, he plays very smartly. However, needs time to build up muscle due to his size. If he plays up to potential I think he could quarterback the powerplay easily.

Mike Carman is a former defenseman turned center. Is amazing on faceoffs but doesn't have the creativity needed for most offensive players. Reminds me a lot of David Steckel and his faceoff ability.

Minor League Trade.

The Calgary Flames have traded defenseman John Negrin to the Winnipeg Jets for winger Akim Aliu.

Negrin and Aliu are considered draft busts. Negrin has had one point in 26 games in the AHL. Aliu has 5 points in 13 games.