Kaberle Signs in Carolina; Bruins Bring in Corvo

Today has been an uncharacteristically busy day for free agency. I know this because I've been working the Ducks2Nucks twitter today, and it is blowing up with signings rumors and trades. Two of the most impacting transactions of the day have been Tomas Kaberle's new contract in Carolina, and Joe Corvo being moved by the Hurricanes to Boston in exchange for a 4th round draft pick.


It's no secret that Kaberle didn't work out the way fans wanted him to in Boston, and we knew he wasn't resigning there, so maybe playing in Carolina will click better for him and show an upgrade in stats. As far as Joe Corvo and the Bruins go, Boston was just looking for an avid replacement for Kaberle on the blueline, and Corvo could very well be that replacement.

Corvo hasn't ever put up as many assists as Kaberle, and usually doesn't match his point totals, but as of late he's stepped up as a veteran defensive leader who can put the puck in the net.

Flyers Make Major Shakeups Before The Draft

Earlier today the Philiadelphia Flyers turned their salary cap standings and team roster upside down by shuffling some of their bigger names off to other teams and bringing in a bonafide goaltender with a huge price tag.

First the Flyers sent scoring winger Jeff Carter to Columbus in exchange for Jakub Voracek, a first round pick, and a third round pick. Carter was recently signed to a huge multi year contract that will last until the 2021-2022 season

Later in the day the Flyers sent their captain, Mike Richards, to LA for forward Wayne Simmonds and young star Braydon Schenn.  Richards is set to be in LA until the end of the 2019-2020.

Finally, with their newly freed cap space GM Paul Holmgren signed superstar goaltender Ilya Brygalov to a huge 9 year 51 million dollar deal (too high a price tag for Ilya in my opinion).

NHL TRADE DEADLINE TRADES

A list of the trades to happen today, Monday the 28th:


The Atlanta Thrashers acquire Radek Dvorak and a 5th round pick in next years draft from the Florida Panthers for forwards Patrick Rissmiller and Niclas Bergfors. Bergfors may be the largest asset in the exchange. 


They also dealt Fredrik Modin to the Calgary Flames for a 7th round draft pick in next years draft.

Niclas Bergfors

3 Big Impact Players that MIGHT be Moved at the Trade Deadline

Let's take a look at 3 players that will certainly help any team with their playoff push.  All 3 of these players are still available as of now.  There are just over 24 hours until the 2011 NHL trade deadline.

#3) Ales Hemsky

Although health is a constant issue with Hemsky, he is a fantastic playmaker and a great scorer.  He has very good hands and if he can stay healthy has the potential to first line on any team.  Statistically, he is a point per game scorer, and is in the top ten in "points per 60 minutes".  Interested teams include Washington and Los Angeles, but a trade is not necessarily imminent.

McCabe to NYR

TSN's Bob McKenzie reports that Florida has traded star defenseman Bryan McCabe to the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Tim Kennedy and a third round draft pick.

(He's coming for you...)

McCabe, in the last year of his 5 year $28.75 million dollar contract, will have to waive his no-trade clause to come to the Big Apple.  He has reached out on twitter stating that he is willing to do that so the trade seems imminent. 

The former Florida captain has 5 goals and 17 assists in 48 games.  This trade is a huge pickup for the Rangers as it gives them a veteran presence that they currently did not have.  All of their top 6 defensemen are under the age of 26.

In addition to todays trade, multiple waiver claims were made.  Washington picked up Marco Sturm, Philadelphia picked up Nick Boynton, and Los Angeles claimed Craig Rivet.  The New York Islanders also waived Rob Shremp and goalie Nate Lawson.

Click here to check out the rest of the trades to go down.

Pens Trade Goligoski; Recieve Neal and Niskanen

Just minutes ago, Penguins GM Ray Shero pulled the trigger to acquire forward James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen in exchange for defenseman Alex Goligoski. This move helps out Pittsburgh who is in desperate need of help after losing roughly 10 players due to injury within the past month or so. "O" face.

The biggest player in the deal for the Penguins is left winger James Neal who has 21 goals and 18 assists in 59 games. Neal will provide a scoring punch to a team who hasn't been completely healthy in a long time.

In addition to Neal, the Penguins receive Matt Niskanen, who in my opinion is more solid defensively than Goligoski, but lacks the point production that Goligoski brings to the team.

Touch the stars kid.

As for Dallas, Goligoski is a solid puck moving defenseman with a bright future ahead of him, but I really feel like they overpaid on this one. He's having a career season for sure, and he has a good amount of skill, but I just have a bad feeling about the way this trade will pan out for Dallas.

Nonetheless, this is an interesting trade, and it'll be fun to see if the Pens or Stars are looking to make any more moves in the near future.

My instincts say they are.

Stewart to the Blues: Blockbuster Trade #1

Early this morning, The St. Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche worked out a deal that surely goes down as the biggest trade to date this year.  Heres how it broke down:

Colorado Receives:
- (F) Jay McClement
- (D) Erik Johnson
- A 2011 or 2012 First round pick

St. Louis Receives:
- (F) Chris Stewart
- (D) Kevin Shattenkirk
- A 2011 or 2012 Second round pick

That's a lot to handle.  Let's take a look into things a little bit further...