TRADE DEADLINE: WINNERS AND LOSERS

Now that the wheeling and dealing has slowed (minutes after the 3:00 deadline), let's take a look at the winners and losers of the 2009 trade deadline. Keep in mind, some trades can be announced a bit after the deadline, so this may change if anything major is announced.

WINNERS
Calgary Flames- The Flames added Olli Jokinen and former Hobey-Baker award winner Jordan Leopold. They've added both offense and defense and the only significant piece they moved was Matthew Lombardi. Calgary currently sits third in the west and is in prime position to make a long playoff run.

Boston Bruins- Boston, the top team in the Eastern Conference, has been struggling recently. At just 3-5-3 in their last 11 games, the Bruins needed a bit of a shakeup, and they got one from GM Peter Chiarelli. Chiarelli dealt young players Matt Lashoff, Martins Karsums, and Petteri Nokelainen, and picked up Steve Montador from Anaheim and Mark Recchi from Tampa Bay. Both players should boost the Bruins' strong core, and Recchi will almost certainly replace PJ Axelsson on the power play.

LOSERS
Colorado Avalance- Lawrence Nycholat, one of the defenseman the Avs acquired from the Calgary Flames in the Jordan Leopold deal, was recently waived by the Flames. Why pass on him and then trade a solid defenseman for him? I understand the need to deal Leopold from a financian perspective, but come on. The Avs could have gotten more than Nycholat, Ryan Wilson, and a 2nd round pick.

Anaheim Ducks- The Ducks offense stinks. Why trade forward Chris Kunitz for defenseman Ryan Whitney? Clearly the Ducks aren't straight up sellers, deciding to hold on to Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermayer. So why trade another defenseman, Steve Montador, for a very young player looking for playing time in Nokelainen. It seems like Anaheim couldn't decide if it wanted to sell or stand pat. I don't like their moves.