Article Written By: Adam Wible
- lya Bryzgalov #80 of the Edmonton Oilers is shown during an NHL game against the St. Louis Blues during an NHL game at Rexall Place on January 7, 2014 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
With the looming trade deadline tomorrow at 3pm, a slew of teams have broken open the trading period.
The Canadians got things going, as they acquired defenseman Mike Weaver from Florida, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2015 draft.
Weaver is having a subpar year in Florida, only scoring 6 points in 55 games this season. The 36 year old averages 18:47 of ice time, which is fourth on the Panthers.
The Minnesota Wild found their goaltender for their playoff push. Trading a fourth-round pick (2014) to Edmonton in exchange for Ilya Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov brings a .908 save percentage and a 3.01 goals against average, in 20 games with Edmonton this season.
“Bryzgalov is a quality veteran that adds depth to the goaltending position for our team,” Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher said in a statement.
The fourth-round pick originally belonged to the Buffalo Sabres, before the Wild acquired it in a trade along with Jason Pominville last season.
The Anaheim Ducks, seem to be one team that is on pace to make a plethora of moves before the deadline. Anaheim dealt forward Dustin Penner to Washington in exchange for a fourth-round pick (2014).
Penner has 13 goals and 32 points in 49 games this season, his first back with Anaheim. He began his career with the Ducks in 2005-06, and won the Stanley Cup with them the following season before signing an offer sheet with the Edmonton which the Ducks elected not to match.
The Ducks get back a fourth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft which they had previously traded to the Capitals.
The Ottawa Senators announced a deal today involving forward Jeff Costello, in exchange with Vancouver for defenseman Patrick Mullen.
Mullen, 27, has appeared in 46 games this season with Vancouver’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets, registering 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists). His 20 points lead Comets defensemen, while ranking seventh among Utica players in scoring.
Costello was selected by Ottawa with the team’s second fifth-round pick (146th overall) in the 2009 NHL Draft, and is completing his final season of collegiate eligibility with the University of Notre Dame (Hockey East), where he has recorded 19 points (11 goals, eight assists) this season.
Edmonton found a goalie to replace Ilya, trading for Viktor Fasth of Anaheim. The Oilers will send a fifth-round (2014) and third-round (2015) draft picks, in the trade.
The 31-year-old Fasth has made only five appearances this season because of injuries. He is 2-2-1 with a 2.95 goals-against average and .885 save percentage.
The move helps upgrade the hole the Oilers currently had at the goaltender spot.
UPDATE 3:58 EST
The Anaheim Ducks continue to make moves, acquiring veteran defenseman Stephane Robidas from the Dallas Stars, in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick (2014).
Robidas hasn’t played since November, because of a broken leg. He has four goals and an assist this season in 24 games played.
“Stephane is the consummate professional,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “He has set a great example for our young core, not only when he was playing, but in his recovery as well. We want to wish Stephane and his family the best and thank him for all that he’s done in his time here.”
UPDATE 4:23 EST
Philadelphia Flyers acquire defenseman Andrew MacDonald from the Islanders, in exchange for; center Matt Mangene, third-round (2014), and second-round (2015) draft picks.
MacDonald, 27, has four goals and 24 points in 63 games this season for the Islanders.
Mangene, 24, who has three goals and six points in 51 games this season for Adirondack Phantoms, of the American Hockey League.
UPDATE 5:21 EST- Martin Lee
Florida Panthers acquire Roberto Luongo and minor league winger Steven Anthony from Vancouver, in exchange for goaltender Jacob Markstrom and forward Shawn Matthias.
Vancouver will pay a portion of Luongo’s salary, according to Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada.
The deal ends a rollercoaster tenure for Luongo in Vancouver. He recorded 38 of the 65 shutouts in his career in a Vancouver Canucks uniform.
Matthias has scored 48 goals and 49 assists in 312 NHL games, all spent with Florida. The 26-year-old was originally a second round draft pick of Detroit in 2006.
Markstrom is 11-25-5 in parts of four seasons in Florida, with a 3.21 goals-against average and .874 save percentage.
UPDATE 5:53 EST
Phoneix Coyotes trade Defenseman David Rundblad and minor leaguer Mathieu Brisebois to Chicago, in exchange for a second-round pick (2014).
Rundblad is a first-round pick 17th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2009. Rundblad has split time between Phoenix, and their AHL affiliate. He has played 18 games, and has five points, in this injury filled season.
Brisebois is a high scoring defenseman. Dominating Juniors last season he had 73 points in 64 games. The 21 year old is still very young, he’ll have a good group to grow around in Chicago.
