|
A Hockeybuzz Mini-Series: The Trade Deadline Retrospective |
|
|
|
|
|
This trade deadline has taken some heat for being a disappointment. I don't get that at all...These past several weeks were full of more drama than any other deadline I can remember. Big Teams, Big Money, and BIG PLAYERS were all in play. Here is a look at some of the great stories that unfolded in no particular order.
The Flyers
There are many out there who wanted Paul Holmgren to blow this up. I think those who have followed the Flyers fully expected it. And all the historical markings were there. Plenty of triggers to remind us of deadline moves in the past.
1. The Flyers are playing terribly. Losing 10 of 11 going into the deadline and getting their only win in a shootout.
2. Mike Richards, the team's best and most consistent forward went down for three weeks with and injury 3 days ago.
3. Danny Briere was talking way too much heat for the Flyers. Briere is a star wide receiver without a quarterback. To get what you should get out of Briere you need to have a transition game to get him the puck on the move.
4. The Flyers bad play even cost them Peter Forsberg who was ready willing and able to return but wanted to return to a team that had a better shot.
With the ghosts of Adam Oates, Dale Hawerchuk and Paul Coffey lurking in the halls of the Wachovia, Holmgren didn't go there. And I for one commend him. What you love about being a Flyers fan is that they always go for it, and the Flyers did make 2 moves that were very solid picking up Modry and Prospal. But they didn't make the move that would stop forward progress.
The Flyers are guilty of looking too good too fast earlier this year, but it is important to remember that this team ran away with the worst record in hockey a year ago. When a team is THAT bad it is really OK to sit in a playoff spot at the deadline. You don't need to run away with the Conference.
Foppa's Follies
One of my favorite moments was breaking the story that Peter was still trying to come back despite his agent having told the team he wasn't coming back 24 hours earlier. It was like the lockout all over again.
Back and forth we went. Can he or Can't he? The images and articles were everywhere. Youtube videos of him skating in Sweden. Friends of Peter wanting him to stop the lunacy. Articles from Swedish papers were translates. Countless people writing WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT A GUY WHO CAN'T PLAY ANYMORE?
I will tell you why. I spent some time in the Predators locker room on Saturday night talking to Dan Ellis and Chris Mason, two of the nicest and least pretentious people in the sport. I asked Mason about Forsberg in Nashville last spring.
It would be safe to say that looking from the outside in many people look at Peter's time in Nashville as VERY non-eventful. An experiment that didn't work and wasn't worth the cost of all the young players and picks that Philly took from a Preds team that we would later learn was trying to win a Cup to literally save their franchise.
But don't tell that to Mason. As I asked him about Peter he kept pointing to the stall where Peter sat.
"Oh my God," he said, "He would be right there and he was in agony. You knew he was hurting...and he was like my favorite player ever to play before he got here so I was in awe. But he was such a warrior. He gave EVERYTHING and I mean everything he had every night. He came here late, but us winning was all that mattered to him. The guys were just in awe of him. It had a lasting impact. We learned from watching him. Watching his dedication."
That's why Peter mattered.
Hossa
Don Waddell deserves high marks for his handling of this impossible situation. Rarely has a team needed to make the playoffs and needed to trade one of its best players at the same time. I assure you Waddell is a happier man. He really got a ton for Hossa as a rental. And he really did create a market in a marketplace that was sitting around waiting for Sundin and Forsberg. A few days ago Waddell had nothing of substance on the table. He ended up with a great deal. He played Montreal, Ottawa, and Boston against one another quite well.
Jokinen
Hats off to Florida for not trading away this superstar. Olli Jokinen is a special player in a city that needs special players. You can't lose Luongo and Jokinen for very little in ANY town and expect to survive.
It did however provide for some great drama, as the star was indeed shopped around the NHL. In the end Minnesota, Toronto, Vancouver, Buffalo and San Jose all made run for Olli. I am just glad that Florida didn't make a bad deal, especially when you consider there are huge question marks about Martin's future in Florida. The last time that happened the GM traded away a superstar for very little.
Brian Campbell
Rarely has there been two parties that wanted to get something done more than Campbell and Buffalo. I am still extremely surprised that this situation ended so contentiously. I don't blame either side for that. This is a bitter pill for both sides to swallow and I get a sense from being close to both parties that Brian was a bit of a pawn in a game that may have had more to do with outside pressure for Brian to NOT accept a "home-town discount" than anything else.
Sabres fans need to look no further than Kelly saying that his "client" was playing his last game as a Sabre before the game even started. That was uncalled for and really put Buffalo into a spot. You can also tell that since the Sharks didn't have to give up too much get Campbell they are far from certain that he will be re-signing.
And yet the Sharks made a great move here showing their fans what I had written about prior. Sometimes you need to go for it and risk something for a shot at glory.
Montreal
They lost out on Hossa and had to essentially trade away their safety blanket in Huet or risk losing him for Nothing. Although the fans are disappointed today I think they should realize that in the end Gainey chose team chemistry over making a splash. Chemistry can be harder to get sometimes than a superstar rental. I feel that what we saw in the amazing comeback against the Rangers a few weeks back made that decision an obvious one for Fletcher.
Toronto
This deadline was the best and worst all at once, but it was dramatic. There is NO doubt that it was an exciting few weeks in Toronto starting with Cliff Fletcher's hiring up until the dramatic last few days for the Leafs. Not all dramas end with the boy getting the girl however, and Leafs fans are hurting today, but again I implore Leafs fans to step back from being armchair GMs and become fans again. Realize that these players that didn't waive their no trade clause did so they could stay here, and a few nights ago in Ottawa they showed that you shouldn't forget them yet. What a story it would be if Mats was to lead this team to something after what we witnessed the past week.
Ottawa
Although many were giving the Sens a hard time yesterday, you need to count the Commodore and Stillman trade as part of the deadline as well. That deal along with Lapointe were filling all the holes except the big one. For the Sens the trade deadline was almost the least of their worries. When a huge amount of TSN and Sportsnet's trade shows were dominated early with rumours of your coach's demise...well you need to sit back and figure some things out...
Tampa and Dallas
If there is one guy I feel sorry for in the NHL it is Jay Feaster. He truly must be beyond frustration answering to too many people and having no idea whose budget to work with. That he could get the players he got for Brad Richards and his contract is truly NOTHING short of amazing. The Lightning are a MUCH better team after that trade and signing Dan Boyle.
The Stars did something they needed to do as well. They needed to show their fans that they are going for it and needed to get a big time playoff performer who could make a huge difference moving forward.
Julie and I will talk to you all at 4pm today with our Buzzcast as we recap all that has occured and look forward to all that is to come.
Coming Next, Part 2: The best rumoured deals that almost happened.
Join the Discussion:
»