Trade Deadline

Some thoughts watching the trade deadline throughout the afternoon

The Dallas/Tampa Bay deal for Brad Richards was huge for the Stars. I knew Tampa was going to shift one of their superstars by the deadline. We'll also get to see how good Mike Smith really is in net for Tampa Bay as a potential starter in front of a poor defense.

Colorado's Foote/Forsberg reunion is kind of amusing. Colorado has always been active at the deadline. Both players' contracts expire at the end of the season and Colorado has to give up even more picks if Foote resigns with them for next season, so this might hurt them in the future. But they've always been a team that tries to win through trades rather than their own system. I'm surprised Joel Quennville didn't get traded to Atlanta for Hartley or Los Angeles for Crawford

Thank God Fedorov went to Washington. All the rumors of him coming back to Detroit were scaring me.

I was most surprised by Montreal's trade of Huet to Washington. Not that he's amazing, but do they really think young Carey Price is ready to lead them in the playoffs?

San Jose's acquisition of Brian Campbell continues to prove that the Sabres' front office likes to piss of its fans on a yearly basis (Drury and Briere last year). San Jose is gonna be tough to beat in the playoffs this year.

Wow....the Penguins made a big impact at the last minute by getting Gill from Toronto and Hossa from Atlanta. They will be a dangerous offensive team, but I don't think this move was necessary for them. Armstrong had a great chemistry with Sidney Crosby and they will have a hard time signing Hossa after this season.

Hey, the Wings did make a move! After I turned of the NHL Network coverage at 3:10, I thought they did nothing. But checking back at yahoo sports later on I saw they added Brad Stuart for a 2nd and 4th round pick. I can live with that. Stuart is an excellent defensemen and they didn't give up any players on their current team. Good move Kenny.