Winds of Change

It's that time of year in the National Hockey League.  General Managers around the league are determining their team's most dire needs, and positioning themselves to make a splash before the February 28th Trade Deadline.  Already, teams have shown a willingness to make the bold, unconventional move.

Last Saturday, the St. Louis Blues traded 22-year-old defenseman Erik Johnson (a U.S. Olympian and first overall pick in the 2006 Draft) and checking forward Jay McClement to the Colorado Avalanche for winger Chris Stewart (who was on pace for a career season before suffering a broken hand in November) and first-year defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.  A lot of experts viewed this deal as a sign that few players are totally untouchable, and that teams will give up on highly-touted prospects if the price is right.

The Penguins have also wasted no time in making a move.  In desparate need of offensive firepower, the Pens acquired power forward James Neal (pictured above) and defenseman Matt Niskanen from Dallas in exchange for popular defenseman Alex Goligoski.  In my opinion, this move is a steal for the Pens.  They get a winger who could potentially post 30-goal seasons playing alongside Sidney Crosby, and a solid 5th or 6th defenseman, all while moving out some of their defensive depth, and perhaps paving the way next season for 2009 1st-rounder Simon Despres.  This is a win-win, both short term and long term, for the Black and Gold.

Rest assured, there will be more wheeling and dealing before Monday's Trade Deadline.  Will Dallas center Brad Richards be on the move?  Will Edmonton make forwards Dustin Penner and Ales Hemsky available?  Or will a wild card come into play?  Stay tuned, folks.