Arnott for Steckel

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Washington	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Jason Arnott	Forward	36	62	13	11	24	$4.5 million	0	UFA
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To New Jersey	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
David Steckel	Forward	29	57	5	6	11	$1.1 million	2	Same
2012 2nd Round Draft Pick

If you were watching the Trade Deadline coverage all day on Monday, you would have heard most analysts say that the Capitals were in dire need of a second line centre and with one of the last few deals of the day, it looks like they found one with Jason Arnott, acquiring him from the Devils for David Steckel and a 2012 2nd rounder.

This looks like an expensive deal for the Capitals, but in Arnott, they receive the centre they were looking for, as well as a veteran player that has won a Stanley Cup before and should be able to play with most of the rugged wingers that the Capitals have on their roster.  Anott has not had a great season with a poor Devils team this year, but he could just as easily turn it around with these new surroundings.

The Devils, on the other hand, get a little bit more defensive depth in their line-up with a faceoff specialist like David Steckel.  Steckel, who has been a staple defensive player for the Capitals in the past couple seasons, had his name whispered around  in the rumour mill, which was somewhat surprising seeing as though the Capitals were trying to be more defensive as a whole.  Nevertheless, the Devils were also able to cut some salary for the remainder of this season, plus they'll have Steckel for another couple years.

Not much doing salary cap wise, as the Devils sorted out all of their early season problems and they are the team cutting salary today, while the Capitals have found some LTIR discounts that were able to fit the remainder of Arnott's salary under the cap.  Both sides are good this year.  In the 2012 season, the Devils are sitting with 14 players and two buyouts for $47.6 million, which gives them at least $12 million for nine players.

In the draft, Arnott belongs to Chris M., who goes into the new week in 3rd spot, one of the money spots, 15 points out of 2nd, 35 points out of 1st and 19 points up on 4th, so it might take some time to make a move in the standings.  Arnott's move to Washington, a team that is having trouble with their offense, may be a bit of a wash for points, but we shall see.

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Canucks Add Lapierre

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Vancouver	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Maxim Lapierre	Forward	25	59	5	6	11	$900,000	0	RFA
MacGregor Sharp	Forward	25	0	0	0	0	$875,000	0	RFA
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To Anaheim	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Joel Perrault	Forward	27	7	0	0	0	$510,000	0	UFA
2011 3rd Round Draft Pick

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Modin to the Flames

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Calgary	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Fredrik Modin	Forward	36	36	7	3	10	$800,000	0	UFA
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To Atlanta	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
2011 7th Round Draft Pick

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Vancouver Acquires Higgins

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Vancouver	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Christopher Higgins	Forward	27	48	3	11	14	$1.6 million	0	UFA
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To Florida	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Evan Oberg	Defense	23	2	0	0	0	$1.6 million	1	Same
2013 3rd Round Draft Pick

At the beginning of the day, the Canucks were believed to be looking for some bottom-six help, thinking about moving prospects and picks to achieve this.  This was one of two deals done by the Canucks to achieve that goal, acquiring Christopher Higgins from the Panthers and their fire sale for a young prospect in Evan Oberg and a mid-round draft pick in 2013.

Higgins figures to challenge for a 3rd or 4th line spot with the Canucks and with the way the Canucks cycle a lot of their bottom six players around, some earning top six shifts, Higgins may figure in a bit better with some good efforts.

Oberg will likely finish the season with the Panthers farm system, but he could contend for a job next season, especially if he fits into their scheme.

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John Mitchell to the Rangers

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To New York	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
John Mitchell	Forward	26	23	2	1	3	$725,000	0	UFA
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To Toronto	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
2012 7th Round Draft Pick

The Maple Leafs only made one move on Deadline Monday, sending John Mitchell to the Big Apple for a late-round pick.  Mitchell failed to make a regular spot with the Leafs and the team has allowed him to try his hand at another club.  Not much to this, but Mitchell is a selection sheet player, so it is worth noting.

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Penner Traded to the Kings

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Los Angeles	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Dustin Penner	Forward	28	62	21	18	39	$4.25 million	1	Same
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To Edmonton	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Colton Teubert	Defense	21	0	0	0	0	$975,000	1	Same
2011 1st Round Draft Pick
2012 Conditional 3rd Draft Pick

In what was the biggest deal on the Trade Deadline on Monday, the Oilers found an offer for Dustin Penner that they felt was complimentary to what their rebuild process was about, receiving former 1st round pick Colton Teubert, the Kings 1st round pick in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012 that starts as a 3rd round pick.  It was an awfully steep price to pay, but the Kings are feeling that they have a window for a Stanley Cup win and the acquisition of Penner was going to help them move them to that next level.

In Penner, the Kings receive a talented power forward that can occasionally pick a team up and carry them on his shoulders for wins.  Penner was having an okay season with an Oilers team that was having stringing wins together, but will join a more potent offense with the Kings and will have a little less pressure to perform every night, making his job a little less stressful and more conducive to playing well.

Teubert, a prospect in the Kings organization for a few seasons now, is a big young defenseman who has a decent scouting report, saying that he moves quite well for his size, but decision-making with the puck can hurt his play.  Nevertheless, he should come around as a decent defenseman down the road, especially if the Oilers are patient with him.

The Kings will be taking on an extra year on Penner's deal, but if he can perform to a level that is worthy of his $4.25 million hit, there will be few complaints about taking on that extra year.  With Penner on board for the 2012 season, I now have their figures in at $46.9 million for 15 players (eight forwards, five defense and their goaltending tandem).  That's a pretty good core group of players for a reasonable cost, with some cap flexibility to it.

In the draft, Don D. currently holds onto Penner this season and is currently going into Week Twenty-Two in 7th place in the overall standings, only 25 points out of 4th place.  That's not bad shape and if Penner can capitalize with his new teammates quickly, Don may be able to close the gap a bit with this trade.

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Winchester to the Ducks

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Anaheim	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Brad Winchester	Forward	30	57	9	5	14	$700,000	0	UFA
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To St. Louis	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
2011 3rd Round Draft Pick

A minor deal on Monday saw the Ducks pick up Brad Winchester from the Blues for a mid-round draft pick, as the Blues continue to sell off a few assets that they were likely going to let go of in the Summer as free agents.  Winchester will provide a good bottom-six presence for the team.

This deal would turn out to be a stepping stone deal for another deal done for the Ducks, shipping and receiving some depth through their line-up in the end.

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Allen for Samsonov

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Carolina	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Bryan Allen	Defense	30	53	4	8	12	$2.9 million	1	Same
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To Florida	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Sergei Samsonov	Forward	32	58	10	16	26	$2.5 million	0	UFA

The Carolina Hurricanes addressed a need on their blueline by acquiring defenseman Bryan Allen from the Florida Panthers on Monday, sending Sergei Samsonov the other way, who was being used as an extra forward on their roster of late.

In Allen, the Hurricanes shore up some of their defense with a good stay-at-home presence with decent size.  Allen doesn't come with a particularly high cap hit and another season with that reasonable cost.  There won't be a great deal of extra offense from Allen, but as long as he helps to keep the puck out of the net, his presence will be felt in a positive way.

Going the other way, the Panthers do receive a player that was made expendable my the Hurricanes depth, but does have a good scoring touch, when he wants to play.  The Panthers shed a little bit more cap space in this deal, plus they have the flexibility of Samsonov being a free agent at the end of the year.

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Campoli to the Blackhawks

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Chicago	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Chris Campoli	Defense	26	58	3	11	14	$1.4 million	0	RFA
Conditional 7th Round Pick
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To Ottawa	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Ryan Potulny	Forward	26	3	0	0	0	$500,000	0	RFA
Conditional 2nd Round Pick

The Blackhawks needed to fill a gap in the bottom pairing on the blueline and they did so with the acquisition of Chris Campoli from the Ottawa Senators and doing so for a minor-league forward who needs an opportunity with a big club in Ryan Potulny.

The Blackhawks take on a defenseman that had a bit more potential a couple of years ago, but has played on a pair of poor teams in the Islanders and the Senators, getting a chance with a better team with much better surroundings.  With a couple of injuries to the blueline in Chicago, Campoli should get a chance to make an immediate impact with his new team.

The Senators get a very good draft pick and a minor-league forward that has seen some good days in the NHL and he might get a shot at a regular spot over the next season or two.

Both players are involved in the selection sheet pool, but neither are very popular.

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Klesla for Upshall and Lepisto

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Phoenix	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Rostislav Klesla	Defense	29	45	3	7	10	$2.98 million	3	Same
Dane Byers	Forward	25	0	0	0	0	$500,000	0	RFA
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To Columbus	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Scottie Upshall	Forward	27	61	16	11	27	$2.25 million	0	UFA
Sami Lepisto	Defense	26	51	4	7	11	$800,000	0	RFA

The Phoenix Coyotes added a little bit of size to their blueline with the acquisition of Rostislav Klesla and he should be able to give the desert dogs some more stability with some injuries going on at the moment.  The Blue Jackets get a little bit younger and add a bit more offensive pop with the acquisition of Scottie Upshall.  Both sides should actually benefit well from this deal, but neither team gets put over the top with where it's going.

In Klesla, the Coyotes get a rugged defenseman who hasn't developed into the offensive force that his 1st round selection may have projected him to be, but he can be a very valuable player in tough games and in good systems.  He may be able to help anchor some of the more mobile defensemen on the team and provide some veteran teachings to some of the youth.

The Blue Jackets get a couple of players that can help their team today in Upshall, a speedy winger with decent touch, but has some injury concerns, and Sami Lepisto, a medium-sized Finnish defenseman that skates fairly well and does have some offensive upside, albeit limited.

Both Columbus and Phoenix are in the bottom half of league scoring and the cap hits going either way are kind of a wash, so there are no cap concerns there.  For Phoenix, they get an extra three seasons out of Klesla, which has some potential to go either way, good or bad, depending on how well he blends with the team.  For the 2012 season, I have the Coyotes now with 12 players signed on for only $24.9 million, so they are poised to be a flexible team this Summer.

Not much play here in either pool.  Klesla is the only one of the three players that are available between the two pools and he may figure into the playoff pool as well before it's all said and done.  I don't think this trade will raise Klesla's value enough to get picked up, but if he plays well, it is an audition for the Spring Dance.

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Red Wings Extend Howard

The Red Wings have announced that they have signed their number one goalie Jimmy Howard to a new 2-year contract extension, reported to be worth $4.5 million, a $2.25 million cap hit each season.  The Red Wings do not have a history of signing goaltenders for too long or too much and that is rather evident with this deal here today.

With the Red Wings in the 2011 season, Howard has a 30-12-3 record, with 2 shutouts and 1 assist for 65 points in the pools, which has him ranked 13th in overall pool scoring.  He has been a goalie good enough to get the job done and will likely be relied upon to do the same sort of thing over the next couple seasons when the deal kicks in.

As of right now, I have the Red Wings projection for the 2012 season at 15 players for $46.8 million, which should give them plenty of wiggle room for some quality depth to stay competitive.

Waiver Claims

The Atlanta Thrashers claimed Robbie Schremp off of waivers from the New York Islanders, who were looking for some flexibility in their line-up. The Thrashers are looking for some more offensive help for their playoff push, already acquiring Radek Dvorak from the Panthers on deadline day.

The Ottawa Senators will now be able to send prospect goaltender Robin Lehner down to the minors for some valuable playing experience after claiming Curtis McElhinney off of waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning acquired McElhinney from the Ducks earlier this season, but the logjam meant he was going to be forced out. McElhinney will now back-up Craig Anderson in Ottawa.

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Wideman to the Capitals

			2011 Season				2011	Remaining
To Washington	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Dennis Wideman	Defense	28	61	9	24	33	$3.9 million	1	Same
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To Florida	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Cap Hit	Years	Cap Hit
Jake Hauswirth	Forward	23	0	0	0	0	$545,000	1	Same
2011 3rd Round Draft Pick

The Washington Capitals made a move to improve their blueline for the stretch run, as they acquired Dennis Wideman from their division rivals, the Florida Panthers, for a prospect and a mid-round draft pick this Summer.

In Wideman, the Capitals will get a some more offensive help from the back end, plus a little bit more experience for their young defensive players.  Wideman has shown some good flashes in some of his stops in the NHL and the Capitals may need some extra help with Mike Green on the shelf at the moment.  This could be a very good move for him, potentially playing with some of the most dynamic offensive players.

The Panthers get some more assets for the future and that's about it.  There's lots to say about Hauswirth's size, but there isn't a great deal of upside being noted for him.  The pick may be the key part for the Panthers, who are stockpiling at the moment.

The Capitals may have worked themselves into a tough spot with their salary cap situation, which suggests that they are far from being done making moves on deadline day.  This will be a very interesting day for them.  Players in and players out still have to be decided, but the easiest way out may be to drop one of their young, more expensive players, back into the minors right away.

Well, this gives Allan S. another tool that increases his point potential will likely help him run away with the pool championship.  Wideman should be getting a boost out of this deal, the teams chasing Allan will now hope for a boost or three for their teams now.

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