Sports Garth McLennan sports @theotherpress.ca Deadline Da By Garth McLennan Garth McLennan sports editor baa Tuesday, February 26, marked the trade deadline in the NHL. Highly anticipated by fans and dreaded by players, the trade deadline provides the last opportunity of the season for teams to upgrade before the playoffs. This year saw a record 25 deals involving 45 players and 23 draft picks, with many of the deals being of the blockbuster variety. Here we break down some of the bigger trades. The Pittsburgh Penguins trade Colby Armstrong, Erik Christenson, Angelo Esposito and a first round draft pick in 2008 to the Atlanta Thrashers for Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis. Synopsis: In Hossa, the Penguins obtain yet another offensive weapon to go along with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the rest. While Hossa started off the year slow, he has really picked up lately. With such tremendous skill, he is easily one of SSS =" the league’s top snipers. On the other hand, the trade was costly for the Penguins. Esposito is a top-shelf prospect while Armstrong and Christenson are excellent young players. Armstrong and Sidney Crosby are also close friends, so it is unclear how the move will affect team chemistry. In order for this deal to be worthwhile, Pittsburgh needs to sign Hossa to an extension, or else he’ lI just be a very expensive rental. Winner: Tie The Buffalo Sabres trade Brian Campbell and a seventh round draft pick in 2008 to the San Jose Sharks for Steve Bernier and a_ first round draft pick in 2008. Synopsis: San Jose acquires one of the = premier offensive defenseman in the NHL, while Buffalo gets a budding power forward in rising prospect Steve Bernier. With his slick passing and keen offensive instincts, » Campbell, a two-time all- _ ® star, will most definitely add another element to the Sharks’ attack. Bernier had a superb game in his Buffalo debut, and only time will tell if he can become an elite NHLer. Winner: San Jose The Tampa Bay Lightning trade Brad Richards and Johan Holmquist to the Dallas Stars for Jeff Halpern, Mike Smith, Jussi Jokinen, and a fourth round draft pick in 2009. Synopsis: Dallas have made their Stanley Cup aspirations clear with this trade. Richards, who is one of the best playoff performers around and the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2004, has three years remaining on his monstrous $7.8 million per season contract, and is currently at the bottom of the league with a -25 rating. However, Richards does provide elite level scoring, so he could be considered a bargain. Goalie Mike Smith wasn’t going to get the needed playing time to further develop behind Marty Turco, and Tampa desperately needs a starting goaltender. Jeff Halpern isn’t much of a loss, and while Jokinen is a terrific young player, if Richards can keep scoring then Dallas fans won’t miss him too much. Winner: Dallas ew lc The Carolina Hurricanes trade Andrew Ladd to the Chicago Blackhawks for Tuomo Ruutu. Synopsis: This was a surprising swap of good young players. Ruutu, who the Hockey News named the “best player in the world not in the NHL” a few years ago, hasn’t really attained the levels expected of him. Injuries have hampered him, taking away his tremendous hitting y brings bold trades ability, though he still has the potential to become a Star. Ladd, taken fourth overall in the 2004 draft, has progressed well in Carolina, winning a Stanley Cup in 2006. That is what makes his trade so peculiar. He will develop into a good, secondary scorer. Winner: Carolina The Columbus Blue Jackets trade Sergei Fedorov to the Washington Capitals for Ted Ruth. Synopsis: Ted who? Washington clearly makes a statement that they are gunning for the Southeast division crown by picking up Fedorov, who is a multiple Stanley Cup winner but has fallen on hard times recently. He has clashed with Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock, and his scoring has tailed off considerably. Yet at the same time he hasn’t played a playoff game since leaving Detroit, so who knows what could happen? Winner: Washington The Columbus Blue Jackets trade Adam Foote to the Colorado Avalanche for a conditional first round draft pick in 2008-2009, depending on if the Avalanche advance Pin the playoffs f and a conditional m fourth round pick sin 2009 depending " on whether or not ..8 Foote re-signs with Colorado in the off- season. Synopisis: In one of the more confusing | deals of the day, Colorado continued their drive to re- accumulate their old Stanley Cup winning teams of their heyday. Foote may have some gas left in the tank, but at 36 is he worth a first round draft pick? On the other hand, the Avalanche are looking to go deep in the playoffs this year, and bruising blueliners like Foote are a necessity. These were the major deals of the NHL trade deadline. The day before, Colorado signed free agent Peter Forsberg to a one-year, five million dollar pro- rated contract. Forsberg will receive one million of that amount, as the season is 80 per cent over. The Canucks traded Matt Cooke, but otherwise stayed quiet.