NHL Trade Deadline Winners and Losers
Winner: The Rest of the Central Division
Each team within reach of a playoff position made a move before the trade deadline with the exception of the Nashville Predators -- they beat the rush with their acquisition of Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Blues added scoring depth with Olli Jokinen, who will slide onto the third line and help generate scoring depth. Jokinen averages 8.14 shots per 60 minutes, but has not seen the results one would hope for. This could be his last shot to make an impression on an NHL club -- Jokinen appears as desperate to win now as the Blues are.
If Zbynek Michalek can recover from his concussion issues, he will give St. Louis one of the better D corps set to be in the playoffs. This will be Jokinen's third team in less than two weeks, as he was traded from Nashville to Toronto in the aforementioned Franson-Santorelli deal.
Minnesota is scoring 2.81 goals per game, and only St. Louis is scoring more often than the Wild. Sean Bergenheim will fit in somewhere on the second or third line and provide a boost in the possession department. He averages 1.82 points per 60 minutes and is second on the Wild with a CF% of 54.8. If you’re a fan of intangibles, Bergenheim’s rough end in Florida may lead to a boost in production to show his former team what they’re missing. The late trade for Chris Stewart gives them more size and someone very familiar with the Central Division from his days with the Blues. His addition as the deadline approached could be one of the better acquisitions made if Minnesota continues their upward trend. Stewart is a former 28 goal scorer and a nuisance in the crease.
The Jets took the Rangers’ trash and are hoping it is their treasure. Lee Stempniak is traded what feels like every trade deadline and provides a spark for his new team. He isn't known as a possession-driver, but can be a streaky scorer. Jiri Tlusty could be one of the better minor deals made at the deadline. He's an efficient shooter who drove possession on a bad team in Carolina.
