* Pre-Skate *
The NHL resumed the swapping of players again. Fairly busy day for trades. We'll start with Pittsburgh. The injury bug hit them again today as Brooks Orpik is out for four to six weeks with a broken finger. That has to narrow down the depth on defense after their trade of Goligoski. They're actually very exposed at this point on every position. On Thursday they added Alex Kovalev for a seventh-round draft pick in 2011. The pick has the potential to become a sixth-round draft pick if Kovalev plays in half of the Penguin's first round playoff games and Pittsburgh is able to make the second round. Regardless if it's 6th or 7th, it's a superb addition for the most part. Kovalev is older and a lot of people question his desire so it's not like Pittsburgh found someone to save their season. If Pittsburgh had Crosby and Malkin on the roster rather than injured then this move would make them extremely dangerous. They still could be, especially if Crosby can return, but Pittsburgh still has their work cut out for them.
Here are the other trades for Thursday (comments, if any, follow the trade info):
- Anaheim Ducks acquire Dan Ellis from the Tampa Bay Lightning for Curtis McElhinney. Just a simple goalie swap. Tampa Bay had to move one of their goalies after they traded for Dwayne Roloson. Mike Smith and McElhinney will back him up. McElhinney, unlike Ellis, would be more willing to accept that role. Dan Ellis will back up Jonas Hiller in Anaheim but won't have any immediate competition for that job. This gives the Ducks some goaltending depth.
- Carolina Hurricanes acquire Cory Stillman from the Florida Panthers for Ryan Carter and a fifth-round draft pick in 2011. The Hurricanes bring back a familiar face in Stillman who was around when Carolina won their Stanley Cup in 2006. Stillman isn't an enormous talent but brings veteran leadership as well as experience. He'll easily slide in with a team he's very familiar with. Florida is just moving some players and getting what they can in return.
- Montreal Canadiens acquire Brent Sopel and Nigel Dawes from the Atlanta Thrashers for Ben Maxwell (prospect) and a fourth-round draft pick (year not listed). Montreal adds a defenseman with Stanley Cup experience (with Chicago during last year's Cup winning season). Sopel brings a lot to the defensive side of the puck. He can block shots and kill penalties efficiently which is very valuable.
I'm sure there is plenty more to come. A lot of rumors flying around. We'll see what sticks.
* Results *
Another fairly mediocre showing for me as I come out even again. A few upsets and one expected loss. Dallas gave Detroit a run for the money and broke out of their funk. Philly just barely escapes with a win against the Islanders. The Kings beat the Wild as I have a feeling would come back to bite me. Let's take a look.
2/24/2011 - Thursday
Islanders at Flyers : Pick - Flyers : Result- 4-3 Flyers : Correct (OT/W) : 62-52
Stars at Red Wings : Pick - Red Wings : Result- 4-1 Stars : Wrong : 62-53
Maple Leafs at Canadiens : Pick - Canadiens : Result- 5-4 Maple Leafs : Wrong : 62-54
Blackhawks at Predators : Pick - Blackhawks : Result- 3-0 Blackhawks : Correct : 63-54
Blues at Canucks : Pick - Canucks : Result- 3-2 Canucks : Correct 64-54
Wild at Kings : Pick - Wild : Result- 4-2 Kings : Wrong : 64-55
=Dumbest Pick of the Night=
Maple Leafs at Canadiens : Just figured Montreal would show up. I would normally associate them as a pretty good team. They just haven't had it going for them lately. I chose them over the Maple Leafs thinking they would get things rolling against the Leafs. Looking at Toronto's record, I didn't realize their climb in the standings. Oh well, can't always be right.
=Hardest Pick of the Night=
Wild at Kings : As I suspected. Just wasn't sure who was going to show up. Psssst....it was the Kings.
=Easiest Pick of the Night=
Canucks at Blues : Canucks good. Blues bad. Easy explanation, easy pick.
* Picks *
When it comes to picking games, I always hate when there are tons to choose from. Friday offers plenty of matches. A lot of games have that Wild/Kings appeal for me. Just not sure which way to go on some. As always, I'm sure the Edmonton game will come back to haunt me. I picked them again which means they'll lose. Here's what I'm showing.
2/25/2011 - Friday
Penguins at Hurricanes ==> Hurricanes
Rangers at Capitals ==> Capitals
Coyotes at Blue Jackets ==> Coyotes
Senators at Sabres ==> Sabres
Devils at Lightning ==> Lightning
Panthers at Thrashers ==> Thrashers
Sharks at Flames ==> Sharks
Blues at Oilers ==> Oilers
Wild at Ducks ==> Ducks
Night!
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