Every trade deadline we talk about it. There are the big players that move, but so rarely are those big players the ones that really make a difference. Instead, it tends to be the mid-range players picked up at the deadline who make the biggest difference.
Here are my top 5 pick ups these year.
#5 The Kings get Lecavalier Vinny has been all you'd expect at this point in his career. He has 11 points in 26 games including 4 power play goals and his leadership is always welcomed.
#4 The Ducks get Jamie McGinn The Ducks have only lost once in regulation in their last 20, so his actual impact is hard to measure but Jamie did score goals in each of his first two games as a Duck and has been logging quality minutes.
#3 The Hawks get Andrew Ladd back Ladd has three points in four games for the Hawks and it feels like he never left. He will be huge come playoff time.
#2 The Penguins get Carl Hagelin Hagelin has 13 points in 21 games but honestly his pick up and the formation of a line with Malkin and Kessel may have saved the season in Pittsburgh.
#1 The Bruins get Lee Stempniak When the hell will we all just accept the fact that Stempniak is a VERY good player? His 6 points in 4 games with the Bruins, including an OT winner, have helped the Bruins go 3-0-1 and solidify a playoff spot for now.
Meanwhile, the bigger names moved this year....Staal, Boedker...even Jones and Johansen haven't played as big of a role so far...it is still early of course...
What do you think was the best pickup?
We will discuss all this and more on today's show at 1pm Live