Big Winners And Big Losers
With all the trades that have happened before the deadline this year, it’s always fun to look at who won which trades. These are all the major trades that have taken place so far this year and the winners of each trade.
To WASHINGTON: Bates Battagila and Jonas Johansson
To COLORADO: Steve Konowalchuk and 3rd round pick
Winner: Colorado
Why: Konowalchuk has been a very effective player for the Av’s this year. With
15 goals and 31 points, he has become a strong depth player for the Av’s and
will be a very important player for them in the playoffs. Battaglia has had a
rough year in Washington with only 8 points but Johansson could even out this
deal if the kid meets his potential.
To CALGARY: Millkka Kiprusoff
To SAN JOSE: 2nd round pick
Winner: Calgary
Why: This might be the best trade of the year, or biggest steal. Kiprusoff has
lead Calgary into a position to make the playoffs this year, with a 17-6-2
record. His stats of a 1.55 GAA and save percentage of .938 are Venzia type
numbers. Only problem he was injured for a while and hasn’t played as many games
as the Flames would want. Second round pick in a weak draft doesn’t seem like a
fair return.
To LOS ANGLES: Martin Straka
To PITTSBURGH: Martin Strbak and Sergei Ashakov
Winner: Los Angles
Why: I know he has only played 18 games for the Kings this year but he’s coming
back soon, and he is a solid playoff performer. In his previous 3 playoff years
he’s played 42 games and has 40 points. Strbak is a fourth liner on most teams
and Ashakov has potential but won’t be ready for the NHL for a few years.
To PHILLY: Danny Markov
To Carolina: Justin Williams
Winner: Carolina
Why: Williams is still young and has a bright future. He will become a solid top
six forward very soon in the NHL and Philly could of got more for this former
first round pick. Markov is a pretty solid defensemen, and should be a top four
defensemen for many years. Very close trade but I’ll give this one to Carolina.
To NEW YORK: Jaromir Jagr
To WASHINGTON: Anson Carter
Winner: New York
Why: They got arguable one of the top five forwards in the game, and got the
Caps to eat half his salary. Carter wasn’t doing much in New York and wasn’t
much of a loss at all.
To TAMPA BAY: Darryl Sydor and a 4th round pick
To Columbus: Alexander Svitov and a 3rd round pick
Winner: Tampa Bay
Why: Sydor is a very solid top 2 defensemen. He has plenty of playoff experience
and a Cup to go with that. He will be very valuable once Tampa is in the
playoffs, and is leadership should help out with the younger players on their
blue line. Svitov hasn’t lived up to his potential yet, but is still young.
To PHOENIX: Mike Comrie
To PHILLY: Sean Burke, Branko Radivojevic, and Ben Eager
Winner: Phoenix
Why: I think this a good trade for both teams, but Burke has been to hot and
cold lately. He needs to be more consistent. Comrie is a future number one
center, and will help out a lot in the future. Radivojevic is a solid third line
player, and Eager is still too young to judge.
To NASHVILLE: Steve Sullivan
To CHICAGO: 2nd round pick (04) and a 2nd round pick (05)
Winner: Nashville
Why: Sullivan has been an instant success in Nashville. 6 goals and 7 assist, 13
points in 7 games. He adds depth to this team, and should help them get into the
playoffs. This reminds me of how the Ducks picked up Thomas last year and how
well he did right away for them.
To OTTAWA: Peter Bondra
To WASHINGTON: Brooks Laich and a 2nd round pick
Winner: Ottawa
Why: Peter Bondra is one of the best playoff goal scorers in the NHL, and adds
more depth on an already deep team. Laich is a solid prospect and the Caps
didn’t get ripped off in this deal by any means, but I feel Bondra might be the
difference in a close series when Ottawa gets into the playoffs. Also Ottawa has
already said that they will pick up Bondra’s option for next year.
To PHILLY: Alexei Zhamnov
To CHICAGO: Jim Vandermeer, Colin Fraser, and a 2nd round pick.
Winner: Philly
Why: Zhamnov is a soft player, but he’s still a number one or two center in the
NHL. Philly needed this trade with their injury situation but they might have
gave up a lot for playoff rental and a player with such a large salary. Not a
bad trade for either team, but not a great trade for either team.
To DETROIT: Robert Lang
To WASHINGTON: Tomas Fleischmann, a 1st round pick and a 4th round pick.
Winner: Detroit
Why: Detroit got the NHL’s leading scorer for a pretty good prospect and 2
picks. The first rounder will be low and it’s a weak draft to go along. Detroit
gave up Fleischmann a good prospect, but with Filppula having such a good WJC
tournament, they have another future star prospect so they could afford too.
Lang fits the Wings style of play and is pretty good in his own end. Always had
the talent but is just starting to show it.
To NJ: Viktor Kozlov
To FLORIDA: Christian Berglund and Victor Uchevatov
Winner: NJ
Why: A lot of people will disagree with me on this but Kozlov is full of
potential and talent. If NJ can get him to play the way he can, this will end up
being a steal. Has problems with injuries but when this guy is on his game he’s
hard to stop.
To MONTREAL: Alexei Kovalev
To NEW YORK: Jozef Balej and a 2nd round pick
Winner: Montreal
Why: Kovalev was one of the top 5 scorers in the NHL before he went to the
Rangers, and went downhill from there. He needed a change and he still has the
potential to be a top NHL scorer if he can get his game back. Rangers did a real
good job getting Balej who should become a second line player soon. If the
Canadians can resign Kovalev this trade would look better for them.
To BOSTON: Sergei Gonchar
To WASHIGTON: Shaone Morrisonn, a 1st round draft pick and a 2nd round draft
pick
Winner: Boston
Why: They got the best defensemen on the market. Not only will this be good for
the team but it will also be good for Boston fans that haven’t had a good
defensemen since Bourque left. This should make them real contenders now.
Gonchar didn’t come cheap at all. Shaone Morrisonn is big pickup for the Caps.
17 Responses to Big Winners And Big Losers
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Why is it that the team who got the name was the winner?
Washington won the deal with the B’s. Too much for them to pay in my opinion!
And the if Kovy doesn’t resign with Montreal, NY will be the winner.
So basically what you are saying is that you have no judge of the future. Of course the instant winner is going to be the team that got the now guys. You can’t judge most of these trades for years to see who the true winner is. You should have just said at the outset that the team that go the player wins every time in a deal that involves prospects or picks. Now Admittedly deals like Kiprusoff and Sullivan are wins and if they draft someone great it will be kind of a luck thing becuase it was an unknown at the time of the trade, but there were some pretty good propsects that got traded that we have to wait on.
Additionally, Strbak is a defensemen, and there is usually not a fourth line of dmen, and he played quite well when he came over before getting hurt, I think he could be in a third d pairing on about half teams. Anshakov outplayed Ovechkin in the WJC in some scout’s eyes. He was second in points on the team, so don’t be too quick to judge on that one, but you are right that Straka is a great playoff performer, trust me, that is the truth!
Where are you getting that Bondra is a great playoff goal scorer?? 30 in 76 games. Sure it’s good to have 30 playoff goals on your resume, and 76 games is nice experience, I just don’t know what led you to say he was one of the best….?
Look at the four big teams in the East and see how many players you can name that are better goal scorers then Bondra in the playoffs. Mognily is close and Sundin is about the same. I’m not saying that I have no judge of the future, but most prospects don’t work out.
How in the world can you decide NOW who has won these trades?? most of the trades came with draft picks, and unless I fell asleep for a couple of years…the picks haven’t been selected yet!!
Maybe rangers told kovalev to sign with them next summer and not montreal so the rangers would get that 2nd rounder! Besides, who wants to be in Queerbeq anyway? Ribbit ribbit.
STONED! lol. Yeah, I tottally agree with you on this comment. What if they get a rookie of the year for a shitty player?
Dymd3z-Why don’t you go suck another dink you piece of feces! Obviously you are the same loser posting as Bamboo, Kuntakintai, and now Dym. I usually come on here to offer hockey opinions with those whom know something regarding the sport & are interested in speaking on a forum ABOUT HOCKEY. But a tiny brained biggot like you will always be part of society I guess. As both French and English, I can usually ignore comments like yours, but my wish is that you would pull this shit in front of a crowd of french men and see how quickly your little biggot ASS would get beaten to a pulp LOSER!!! Say what you wish, but your obviously a stupid biggot!
If the Habs don’t re-sign Kovalev, it will certainly be disapointing. Balej will be a great 2nd line winger in the near future. I’ve seen this guy play, and aside from a case of the severe nerves, he may have made the Habs roster this year. I am glad Komisarek hasn’t been traded (knock on wood) because the guy will be a physical presence on our blueline along with Souray for years to come. Rivet as well, has certainly picked it up big time in the second half. Bouillon surprises the HELL out of me! The guys 5’8, and the other night I watched him on the inside steer O’neil away from the front of the net to the corner! He has WHEELS as well! I still think the team needs another big centre till some of the other guys in the system develop. One guy I am eagerly waiting for is Cory Urquart. 6’3 200 lbs already, a little raw, but apparently will be an excellent two way centre. Having said all this, other than a cup of coffee with the Habs for 11 or 12 games, why isn’t Hainsey on the team? The guy had a goal and an assist, and was plus 3? Is it because he isn’t physical? Someone let me know more regarding this.
I also think Boston paid a steep price… but you got to give to get!! Washington was not going to take nothing for Gonchar! Heck they robbed the Flyers two years ago when they sent Oates to Philly for Oullete, a 1st, 2nd, and a 3rd round pick.
But as long as Boston keeps Gonchar(and O’Connell said they are going to try) then Boston won this trade. It also depends on how well Washington uses the picks!
I agree with you. If Kovalev doesn’t re-sign with Montreal, then they gave up ALOT for nothing. A second rounder is nothing to snicker about, and Balej is ready to be given the opportunity to show what he’s got at the NHL level. I watched this guy play, and although I don’t think he’ll be another Kovalev, he’s got speed to burn, a great shot, and the right attitude to be an excellent 2nd line NHL’er. I am happy for all those Ranger fans out there though. They are picking up early round draft picks like MAD, and receiving some decent young talent as well. I for one think that they should continue the fire sale and follow the example of teams like Ottawa, and Montreal whom have and are currently building a team through talented youth on a cheaper budget. NY may have the coin, but the example they are setting in unloading their underacheiving talent laden squad, is something the NHLPA should pay close attention to.
Yeah, cuz livin’ in the USA has gotta be soo much better! I mean, Montreal is a whole 4 hour drive from NY, so the weather is soo much nicer in NY, and not to mention that the people of NY are so nice, while us Montrealers are complete assholes, I mean, If I was Kovalev, of COURSE i’d wanna return to NY and lose with them rather than make the playoffs with the Habs! And since NY is such a nicer place I mean, with your oh so great US dollar, which has done nothing but drop ever since the Amazing Dubya took over the world… ermm… I mean Country!
And since we’re all queer here in Quebec, qell you can just suck on my french d..k you sh..face!
I apologize for my crude language to anyone else who might read this message!
Well I think the Toronto Maple Leafs did very well so far with the aquisitions of Pronger and Gonchar. I think They have really solidified their Blue line even though it cost them a little too much in my mind, I mean Aki Berg and Nik Antrapov will be stars in this league, becuase as we all know the Leafs are amazing for developing their players through the system, even though we did trade for Aki Berg. This deal works for the two d men as well because, as we all know, it is every boys dream to play for the home town Maple Leafs and when Gonchar pulls on that Maple Leaf I think there will be a tear in his eye as his boyhood dream will finally come true.
Wow record time, those guys from the sports shop are amazing, I already got mt Leaf Gonchar jersey, this will go great with my Leaf Lindros jersey.
what sort of friggin drug are you on my friend? cuz it looks like some pretty powerful stuff!
I mean, Gonchar is in BOSTON, not in TO, and Pronger is still a Blue!
so, care to share the name of your dealer? I wanna meet him! 😉
Cheers
What is the point of this article exactly? “This team won this deal because they got the best player.” If you didn’t know that, then you shouldn’t be talking about hockey! Don’t get me wrong Wills, I know the idea was nice, but after you sized up all the deals and realized the team with the best player won every deal, you should have scrapped the article. Phoenix probably does win that deal, but they overpayed for Comrie. Eager and Rado should have returned Phoenix Jimmy Vandermeer or AT LEAST a second rounder.
I dont agree with the Burke-Comrie trade. Burke is a #1 goalie anywhere he goes. What would you rather have: a #1 goalie or a top 6 forward? Eager is got a very bright future, he’s got potential up the ass. Philly won that trade.
Excellent article; I agree on every points. Of course, we’ll see how good will be all the prospects and draft picks involved. For those bashers complaining about this early review, well, repeat after me: short-term-analysis.