Trade Deadline Day.

It was not as big a day as last year in terms of the number or names, but there is still enough activity this day in the NHL to make it worth a poolies while to understand any fantasy implications of the moves conducted today. So let’s get to it.

Calgary – in perhaps the biggest trade of the day, Phoenix moved Olli Jokinen to Calgary for Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Prust and a 1st round draft pick. This has been Jokinen’s worst year statistically and fantasy wise in X. It was pretty apparent that he wasn’t going to fit into the long term plans of the ‘Yotes and his move to Calgary should reinvigorate him and his fantasy value. He’s not the best fit to play with Iginla and Cammallerri, but he does provide excellent depth on the 2nd line playing with Moss and Bertuzzi. Jokinen is a better scorer than playmaker, and allowing Bertuzzi to play the role of set-up man should prove beneficial for both players. The fact that he’s going to play in the playoffs for the first time in his career will be a strong motivator as well. For Phoenix, Lombardi will get the chance to perhaps learn from the best player ever how to maximize his considerable talents. He should see his playing time remain about the same with a small bump in value as most players do when they are dealt. If he can actually gel with the ‘Yotes young guns in Mueller, Turris, Boedeker, he may finally realize more fantasy value.. The Flames were not done there, after getting Jokinen, they then turned to the Avalanche and picked up the oft injured Jordan Leopold for Lawrence Nycholat, Ryan Wilson and a second-round pick in 2009. Leopold has never developed into a fantasy relevant player and he’s not going to now.

Edmonton – after watching provincial rival Calgary acquire Jokinen, the Oilers shipped Erik Cole back to Carolina in a 4 team swap that saw Justin Williams go from the ‘Canes to the Kings, the Kings shipped Patrick O’Sullivan to Edmonton, the Sabres shipped Ales Kotalik to the Oilers and the Sabres received a 2nd round pick from the Oilers. All season Erik Cole has looked like a fish out of water and just not comfortable in Edmonton. His move back to Carolina should be a welcome addition to the team and to Cole’s confidence. The Kings get former 30+ goal scorer in Williams, who has not looked like the same player since coming back from achilles tendon surgery earlier this year. Williams’ talent has not abandoned him but it’s apparent that a change of scenery may be a good tonic to restart his game. Patrick O’Sullivan joins an Oilers team and becomes yet another smallish center for the team; but his talent is under-rated.. Kotalik is a former 20+ goal guy, that is not small but sometimes plays that way. Ultimately, the Oilers didn’t want to lose Cole for nothing, and O'Sullivan and Kotalik should help their offense if they get the ice-time and right team-mates.

Pittsburgh – after placing an ex-Islander in Miro Satan on waivers, the fact that the Pens went and acquired another one in Bill Guerin is confusing. Guerin is not as talented as Satan, but he is grittier and does add an element of toughness to a team of forwards that needs someone for them to lead by example. Guerin’s best days are behind him, but if he can click with either Crosby or Malkin he’d be worth a waiver pick of the next 20 odd games. It’s a low risk, high reward situation for the Pens and for you the poolie.

New York (Rangers) – the Rangers were active this trade deadline as they acquired Derek Morris from Phoenix for Dmitri Kalinin, Nigel Dawes and Petr Prucha. They then turn around and acquired Nik Antropov from Toronto for a 2nd round pick, and a conditional draft pick. From a poolies perspective, the Morris move seems to be a lot to give up for a guy that used to be a decent two-way defencemen, but is no longer an offensive threat. He’s a better puck mover than Kalinin, but not enough to part also with Dawes and Prucha. Anticipate a slight bump in Morris’s fantasy value, but not a lot. For Phoenix, the key to this deal is acquiring a steady defenceman and a diminutive, yet talented scorer (at least in junior) in Dawes. Dawes will need top 6 forward minutes to produce, but he another low risk – high reward guy that may blossom with the added ice time. In Antropov, the Rangers get another big bodied forward that has some offensive upside and may be relieved to be out of the fish bowl that is Toronto. Someone is going to place a lot fantasy value on him right now, and he’d be a guy that we’d move for a surer thing.

Boston – the Bruins have had a very good season and have played above most pundits expectations. As a result, they tinkered with their line-up by adding veteran Mark Recchi and Steve Montador at the deadline for a group of young prospects that were not going to be unseating any of the young guns on the Bruins any time soon. Recchi should likely play on the 2nd line with Krejci and Lucic. He’s a much better playmaker now than he is a goal scorer but that’s just what those young guys will be looking for. He’s also likely to see 2nd duty on the PP. He likely to be decent for the next two weeks and a good filler for another guy that might be injured.

Ottawa – in a move to try and shore up the team goaltending, the Sens acquired Pascal Leclaire and a 2nd round pick from the Blue Jackets for consistently inconsistent Antoine Vermette. Leclaire has been injured a lot this season and when healthy, he has not looked like the same goaltender from last year. Expect him to be back sometime in April, but he’ll be the team’s #1 guy come next season. Vermette gets a change in zip code, and the new start should be helpful. He’s better than what he’s displayed this season, but one has to wonder how he’ll flourish under even tougher coach Ken Hitchcock?

Trade Deadline - T Minus 5 hours

Here's the latest -

Anaheim - there are reports that the Anaheim Ducks have told all NHL brass that Chrtis Pronger won't be traded today and he is off the market. This impacts teams looking for d-upgrade as this leaves Kaberle, Kuba, Kubina, Boumeester and Morris moving up the depth chart.

Toronto - Tomas Kaberle left last night game after injuring his recently recovered hand. This is likely to quash any chance that he'll be moved if the injury can be verified to be anything more than day to day.

Ottawa - the Sens are trying to re-sign Chris Neil and Philip Kuba this morning but it appears that both may be moved today if they are unable to reach an agreement with the team. Look for Kuba to garner the most attention, particularly if Pronger and Kaberle are off the market for different reasons.

Trade Dealine - T Minus 24 hours

With less than 24 hours until the NHL's trade deadline, here's the latest rumors we're watching:

Toronto - Domink Moore and Nik Antorpov reportedly did not play tonight and speculation is rampant that the two forwards will be moved tomorrow. Moore is rumored to be headed to the Red Wings to anchor their 3rd line. Antropov appears to be headed to Columbus or Florida. We're not believing the hype on Moore - this is his season to get lots of ice-time and capture lightening in a bottle. With Antropov, C-Bus would welcome the offensive upgrade from Antropov, and he would help them. Tomas Kaberle left tonight's game after apparently re-injuring his hand that had kept him away from the roster for the last 3 weeks.

Minnesota - with the signing of Nik Backstrom today to a long term extension, the Wild can focus on moving Gaborik for at least another roster player and a prospect.

Tampa Bay - Gary Roberts was placed on waivers, while Mark Recchi did not play tonight indicating that both are likely to be moved tomorrow. Recchi appears destined to land back with the Penguins for a playoff push, and Roberts was rumored to be landing with the Sharks or the Flames. Recchi still has some fantasy value, particularly if he sees some time on the PP. Roberts best days are way behind him as is his fantasy value.

Phoenix - Derrick Morris is going to be moved t0morrow, it just remains to be seen where. His fantasy value however is pretty minimal. Oli Jokinen is also on the block, and the list of potential suitors includes Edmonton, Columbus, Minnesota and Vancouver. Asking price will be a prospect and a pick for the cash strapped 'Yotes.

Trade Deadline Day: T minus 3 days (udpated)

Sunday March 1 - with only 3 days to go until the trade deadline, the rumors are really heating up. Here is the latest:

Chris Pronger - St. Louis has reportedly been inquiring about Pronger's availability. St. Louis certainly has the cap space and young talent that the Ducks may be interested in acquiring. The Blues are only 6 points out of a playoff spot and Pronger's appearance would certainly assist them in making a push for that last playoff spot.

Jay Boumeester - with the Panthers apparently unable to re-sign Boumeester, it looks as though they are seeing what they'd be able to get for the pending UFA. The latest is the Flyers dangling Briere, Coburn, van Riemsdyk and Nittymaki for Boumeester and Craig Anderson. This would certainly lighten the salary cap load on the Flyers and finally allow them to get the puck moving defencman that they are desparate to acquire. Anderson is an upgrade for the Flyers as well. For the Panthers, they'd get decent return on Boumeester.

Bill Guerin - has been pulled from the Islanders line-up, in preparation of moving. The mystery team invilved is rumored to be the Boston Bruins. The hang up, is the Bruins not wanting to part with both Matt Hunwick and a 2nd for Guerin.