Lots of Wheeling & Dealing
There's lots of notes on the NHL trade deadline below but I first want to write about the penalty minute category, especially when teams play back-to-back games against the same teamr.
Last week I wrote about the Capitals and the Flyers playing in the second half of back-to-back games and look at Tom Wilson and Troy Brouwer of the Capitals, as well as Zac Rinaldo, Steve Downie, Scott Hartnell or Wayne Simmonds of the Flyers.
Well, it was a wild one on Wednesday as Wilson had 17 minutes with Simmonds getting four. It doesn't always work out that the high penalty minute players will get the gate (Vincent Lecavalier had 15 minutes as he fought John Erskine and no one saw that coming) but you get better odds with enforcers than your skill players.
There are a couple of sets of back-to-backs this week so look for an advantage if you see one in your pool.
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Now to The Week Ahead.
WEEK OF MARCH 10-16
4 Games- Anaheim, Buffalo, Calgary, Carolina, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Florida, Nashville, New York Rangers, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, Winnipeg
3 Games– Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Montreal, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Tampa Bay
Toronto plays all four games on the road.
Carolina, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Washington and Winnipeg play three games at home.
Anaheim, Edmonton, Nashville, New Jersey, the New York Rangers, Phoenix, San Jose and Vancouver play three games on the road.
INJURIES
Daniel Sedin is out indefinitely after suffering a lower body injury Sunday at the Heritage Classic. (Click here to see the rest of the injury list.)
ANAHEIM
Games this week
vs. Toronto, @ Calgary, @ Colorado, @ Los Angeles
Rested team: None
Tired Team: @ Los Angeles (Saturday)
Notes
The Ducks play four times this week including three games in four nights as Fredrik Andersen should get one start for Jonas Hiller. The Ducks dealt Dustin Penner and Viktor Fasth away and picked up the injured Stephane Robidas in return. Robidas is hoping to return to action this week as he has been out since November 29th with a broken leg. Hiller continues to play well as he is 26-9-5 this season with a 2.29 GAA and a .917 save percentage. The Ducks have a lack of scoring outside of their top line with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf and this could hurt them come playoff time, despite their league-leading record. After scoring only once in the first 51 games, Francois Beauchemin has goals in each of his last two contests.
BOSTON
Games this week
@ Montreal, vs. Phoenix, vs. Carolina
Rested team: None
Tired Team: vs. Phoenix (Thursday)
Notes
The Bruins play three games in four nights so look for Tuukka Rask to miss a game as Chad Johnson should get one start. The Bruins picked up some blueline depth as they dealt for Andrej Meszaros and claimed Corey Potter off waivers from Edmonton as Adam McQuaid (core) and Dennis Seidenberg (knee) are out of action. They expect to get McQuaid back in two-three weeks but Seidenberg is out for the season. Jarome Iginla has six goals and 19 points in his last 13 games. Loui Eriksson has been a major disappointment with only seven goals this season.
BUFFALO
Games this week
vs. Nashville, @ Carolina, @ New York Islanders, vs. Montreal
Rested team: vs. Nashville (Tuesday), @ New York Islanders (Saturday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Sabres play three games in four nights so look for Jhonas Enroth to split the net with Michal Neuvirth. The Sabres were quite busy at the deadline as they picked up Neuvirth, Rostislav Klesla, Torrey Mitchell, Corey Conacher, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, Hudson Fasching and Nicolas Deslauriers while dealing Matt Moulson, Brayden McNabb, Cody McCormick, Steve Ott and Ryan Miller out of town. The Sabres have also been acquiring draft picks and have five firsts and six second round picks in the next three seasons.
CALGARY
Games this week
vs. Los Angeles, vs. Anaheim, @ Dallas, @ Phoenix
Rested team: vs. Los Angeles, (Monday)
Tired Team: @ Phoenix (Saturday)
Notes
Karri Ramo is still out of action so look for Joni Ortio and the recently recalled Joey MacDonald to split the net this week as the Flames play four times including three games in four nights. The Flames dealt rookie netminder Reto Berra to the Avalanche in exchange for a second round pick. It was thought that Michael Cammalleri was a sure bet to be dealt but Calgary held onto him and now hope that he will sign a long-term deal. They recalled Ben Hanowski, Markus Granlund, Max Reinhart and Corban Knight from the minors. David Jones is out three-four weeks with a shoulder injury.
CAROLINA
Games this week
vs. New York Rangers, vs. Buffalo, @ Boston, vs. Edmonton
Rested team: None
Tired Team: vs. Edmonton (Sunday)
Notes
The Hurricanes recalled Justin Peters from the minors after he finished a conditioning stint and will go with three goalies the rest of the way. The Hurricanes play three games in four nights as part of a four game week, so look for Anton Khudobin and Cam Ward to share the net. Khudobin inked a two-year/$4.5 million contract extension. Carolina made one deal at the deadline as they picked up Andrei Lokitonov from the Devils and sent Tuomo Ruutu to New Jersey. Ryan Murphy was recalled from the minors. Justin Faulk is out 10 days with an upper body injury and could return for the weekend games against Boston and Edmonton.
CHICAGO
Games this week
@ Colorado, vs. Nashville, vs. Detroit
Rested team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
Marian Hossa will miss the next two-three weeks with an upper body injury so Brandon Saad will take over his spot on a line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks made a small deal at the deadline as they gave up a second round pick to Phoenix for David Rundblad and Mathieu Brisebois. I've always been a Rundblad fan and hopefully his third NHL stop in Chicago will finally be his lucky one. After not scoring in 11 games, Kris Versteeg potted his 100th career goal at Soldier Field Saturday. Brandon Bollig inked a three year extension.
COLORADO
Games this week
vs. Winnipeg, vs. Chicago, vs. Anaheim, @ Ottawa
Rested team: @ Ottawa (Sunday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Avalanche play four times this week but do not play any back-to-back games. Nevertheless, look for Jean-Sebastien Giguere to play once this week in place of Semyon Varlamov. The Avs picked up Reto Berra from Calgary as an insurance policy in case either Varlamov or Giguere get hurt. Nathan MacKinnon set up Andre Benoit's overtime winner on Thursday to extend his scoring streak to 13 games. It was thought that Colorado would deal pending UFA Paul Stastny if they could not sign him to a long-term deal before the deadline but they will continue to negotiate. Stastny has stated that he will give the Avs a hometown discount but what is considered a discount, remains to be seen.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
@ Dallas, vs. Detroit, vs. San Jose, @ Minnesota
Rested team: None
Tired Team: vs. Detroit (Tuesday)
Notes
The Blue Jackets play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Curtis McElhinney to play once for Sergei Bobrovsky. The Blue Jackets dealt the oft-injured Marian Gaborik to the Los Angeles Kings and received Matt Frattin back in addition to a second round pick and a conditional third that depends on the Kings going past the first round or Gaborik re-signing with the Kings. They also picked up Nick Schultz from Edmonton who will be a good defensive defenseman, and Matt Taormina and Dana Tyrell from Tampa Bay. Ryan Johansen continues to excel as he potted his 25th goal of the season Thursday.
DALLAS
Games this week
vs. Columbus, @ St. Louis, vs. Calgary, @ Winnipeg
Rested team: None
Tired Team: @ St. Louis (Tuesday)
Notes
The Stars play four times this week so look for Tim Thomas to play at least once this week for Kari Lehtonen. Thomas was the only acquisition by the Stars as they sent Dan Ellis to Florida in exchange. Rich Peverley missed Tuesday's game with a recurrence of an irregular heartbeat but returned on Thursday and played on the top line alongside Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. He had two assists and a plus-three rating while Seguin had the hat trick and two assists in the 6-1 win over Vancouver. Lehtonen is having a good season with a 25-16-10 record to go with a 2.46 GAA and a .917 save percentage.
DETROIT
Games this week
@ Columbus, vs. Edmonton, @ Chicago
Rested team: @ Columbus (Tuesday) vs. Edmonton (Friday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Red Wings are in big trouble up the middle as Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are out of action with Zetterberg out for the remainder of the regular season and Datsyuk out three weeks. As a result, the Red Wings dealt for Detroit native David Legwand, giving up Patrick Eaves, prospect Calle Jarnkrok and a third round pick. Legwand will start his Detroit career centering the top line with Gustav Nyquist and Johan Franzen on his wing. Speaking of Franzen, he has four goals and seven points in four games since returning from a concussion after the Olympic break. He was the NHL's first star of the week.
EDMONTON
Games this week
@ Minnesota, vs. St. Louis, @ Detroit, @ Carolina
Rested team: @ Carolina (Sunday)
Tired Team: @ Detroit (Friday)
Notes
The Oilers started the season with Devan Dubnyk and Jason LaBarbera as their netminders, used Richard Bachman in October for five games and then signed Ilya Bryzgalov to a deal. Not satisfied, they traded Dubnyk to Nashville (agreeing to pay half his salary) and picked up Ben Scrivens in mid-January. This week, they dealt Bryzgalov to Minnesota and traded for Viktor Fasth from the Ducks, while inking Scrivens to a two-year contract. By the way, they play three games in four nights as part of a four game week, so look for Fasth and Scrivens to share the net. Nick Schultz was dealt to the Blue Jackets for a draft pick as was Ales Hemsky to Ottawa, albeit for a pair of picks. Taylor Hall has 58 points in 58 games.
FLORIDA
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, @ Tampa Bay, vs. New Jersey, vs. Vancouver
Rested team: vs. Phoenix (Tuesday)
Tired Team: vs. New Jersey (Friday)
Notes
The Panthers now have Roberto Luongo as their starting netminder, so look for him to play at least three times this week with Dan Ellis playing once. The Panthers completely renovated their goaltending as Tim Thomas was dealt to Dallas in exchange for Ellis, while Luongo returned to the Panthers after being away for eight seasons as Florida sent Jacob Markstrom and Shawn Matthias to Vancouver. Goalie Scott Clemmensen was sent to the minors. The Panthers got Brandon Pirri from Chicago and send Mike Weaver to Montreal for a pick. Scott Gomez cleared waivers and the Panthers decided to keep him in Florida rather than sending him to the minors.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
@ Calgary, vs. Toronto, vs. Anaheim
Rested team: vs. Anaheim (Saturday)
Tired Team: @ Calgary (Monday)
Notes
The Kings provided one of the big splashes at the trade deadline as they picked up Marian Gaborik in exchange for Matt Frattin, a second round pick and a conditional third. They also picked up defenseman Brayden McNabb from the Sabres for prospects Hudson Fasching and Nicolas Deslauriers. Gaborik will start his Kings' career on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams while Dustin Brown moves to the second unit with Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. Brown has two goals and five points in five games since the break after picking up only 10 goals and 16 points in 58 games before the Olympics. Linden Vey was sent to the minors.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
vs. Edmonton, vs. New York Rangers, vs. Columbus
Rested team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Wild were busy at the deadline as they acquired Ilya Bryzgalov from Edmonton for a fourth round pick and then picked up Matt Moulson from the Sabres, along with Cody McCormick, sending Torrey Mitchell and drafts picks back to Buffalo. Moulson is projected to play with Mikko Koivu and Charlie Coyle on the second unit to start his Wild career. The Bryzgalov trade was needed as Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding, Minnesota's two goaltenders to start the season, are likely out for the remainder of the season. Darcy Kuemper has been very good but Bryzgalov will provide a veteran presence and could steal the job if Kuemper slumps. Mikael Granlund has a goal and four points in three games since returning from the Olympics.
MONTREAL
Games this week
vs. Boston, vs. Ottawa, @ Buffalo
Rested team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Canadiens surprised everyone by being the winners in the Thomas Vanek sweepstakes and the final price was surprisingly low as they gave up prospect Sebastien Collberg and a conditional second round pick. They also picked up Mike Weaver for a fourth round pick. Carey Price is still out of action with a lower body injury so the Canadiens picked up some insurance as Devan Dubnyk was dealt from Nashville. Max Pacioretty hit the 30 goal mark and now has 43 points in 56 games with a plus-one rating. Lars Eller has been in a huge slump with only one assist in his last 22 games. The Canadiens made him a healthy scratch on Wednesay but he returned to the lineup on Thursday against Phoenix. He still did not score.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
@ Ottawa, @ Buffalo, @ Chicago, vs. St. Louis
Rested team: @ Buffalo (Tuesday) vs. St. Louis (Saturday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Predators play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Carter Hutton to play at least once for the returning Pekka Rinne. The Predators sent Devan Dubnyk to the Canadiens after picking him up in mid-January from the Oilers, and then dealt David Legwand to Detroit for Patrick Eaves, Calle Jarnkrok and a draft pick. Colin Wilson could end up being the big winner for the Predators as he is expected to take over Legwand's spot on the top line after seeing third line minutes most of the season. Eaves should take over a third line spot in Nashville. Rinne has lost both games since returning to action from a hip infection earlier in the week. He has given up five goals in the two games, but on only 41 shots.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
@ Philadelphia, @ Florida, @ Tampa Bay
Rested team: @ Florida (Friday)
Tired Team: @ Tampa Bay (Saturday)
Notes
The Devils are on the road for all three this week. They did not deal Martin Brodeur as rumored but did make a nice deal for themselves, picking up Tuomo Ruutu from Carolina in exchange for Andrei Lotionov. Ruutu will provide the Devils with more grit and is a great playoff performer, if the Devils get that far. New Jersey got Bryce Salvador and Damien Brunner back this past week from injury. Jaromir Jagr is now in sole possession of ninth place on the all-time career assists list with 1,041. The Devils lucked out when they were given the 30th overall pick in the 2014 Draft. They were supposed to forfeit their pick for their part in the Ilya Kovalchuk contract negotiations a few years ago but the NHL reversed their stance somewhat and awarded them the final pick of the first round. The Devils are not allowed to trade the pick.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
@ Vancouver, vs. San Jose, vs. Buffalo
Rested team: vs. San Jose (Friday)
Tired Team: vs. Buffalo (Saturday)
Notes
What are the New York Islanders doing? They made a questionable trade for Thomas Vanek earlier in the season in which they gave up Matt Moulson, a first and second round pick and then can only get a prospect in Sebastien Collberg and a conditional second round pick in a trade with Montreal. The Sabres dealt Moulson (with fourth liner Cody McCormick) to Minnesota and got back two second round picks. Garth Snow must be on the hot spot on Long Island. Snow also dealt Andrew MacDonald to the Flyers for a second and a third. Anders Lee has been quite the surprise as he has four goals and five points in five games. The 23-year-old was a sixth round pick in the 2009 Draft.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
@ Carolina, @ Minnesota, @ Winnipeg, vs. San Jose
Rested team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Rangers play three games in four nights as part of a four game week so expect to see Cameron Talbot play once for Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers were one of the big wheelers and dealers on Wednesday as they picked up Martin St. Louis from Tampa Bay with UFA to be Ryan Callahan going the other way. The Rangers threw in a first rounder in 2015 and a second rounder in 2014 that will turn into another first round pick if the Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference Final this season. The Rangers also picked up Raphael Diaz from the Canucks to give them depth on the blueline. J.T. Miller was sent to the minors. Mats Zuccarello should return to action this week.
OTTAWA
Games this week
vs. Nashville, @ Montreal, vs. Colorado
Rested team: None
Tired Team: vs. Colorado (Sunday)
Notes
The Ottawa Senators picked up Ales Hemsky for a third and fifth round pick and he'll be a top-six forward the rest of the way. Chris Phillips was drawing interest from plenty of teams especially Boston, before he signed a two-year extension. Joe Corvo was sent to the minors. Clarke MacArthur suffered an injury on Wednesday and missed the third period. He will be evaluated on March 7. There were plenty of trade rumors swirling around Jason Spezza but he remained in Ottawa.
PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
vs. New Jersey, vs. Pittsburgh, @ Pittsburgh
Rested team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Flyers play the Penguins in a home-and-home series so expect to see Zac Rinaldo, Steve Downie, Scott Hartnell or Wayne Simmonds get involved in a fight if there is any trouble on the ice. The Flyers made a nice pickup on Tuesday in getting defenseman Andrew MacDonald from the Islanders for a third round pick in 2014 and a second rounder in 2015. The Flyers sent Michael Raffl to the minors and recalled him as they want him eligible for the AHL playoffs if Philadelphia does not advance during the NHL playoffs. Jacob Voracek has five points in his last two games.
PHOENIX
Games this week
@ Tampa Bay, @ Florida, @ Boston, vs. Calgary
Rested team: @ Boston (Thursday) vs. Calgary (Saturday)
Tired Team: @ Florida
Notes
The Coyotes play three games in four nights on the road before returning home for a matchup with the Flames. Look for Mike Smith to play three games with Thomas Greiss playing once. The Coyotes picked up Martin Erat from the Capitals on Wednesday as well as John Mitchell as they sent Chris Brown, Rostislav Klesla and a fourth round pick the other way. They traded David Rundblad (who they picked up in a trade for Kyle Turris a couple of seasons ago) and Mathieu Brisebois to Chicago for a second rounder. It's not a very good return for Turris overall. Radim Vrbata has five goals in his last nine games and is now paired with fellow Czech Erat.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
@ Washington, vs. Washington, @ Philadelphia, vs. Philadelphia
Rested team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Penguins play two home-and-home series this week against the Capitals and the Flyers so expect tempers to flare. As a result, look for Robert Bortuzzo, Deryk Engelland and Brooks Orpik to become involved if there are any fisticuffs in either home-and-home series. The Penguins picked up some offensive depth by acquiring Lee Stempniak and Marcel Goc for draft picks. Olli Maatta continues to impress and the defenseman's two goal performance on Thursday gives him nine this season. The rookie has 27 points and will definitely garner consideration in Calder voting. Kris Letang has been placed on the injured list and is likely out for the season after suffering a stroke.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
vs. Dallas, vs. Edmonton, @ Nashville
Rested team: vs. Dallas (Tuesday) @ Nashville (Saturday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Blues made their blockbuster trade a week ago when then acquired Ryan Miller and Steve Ott from Buffalo for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a first in 2015 and a conditional third in 2016. It makes the Blues one of the favorites to win the Cup as Miller is one of the top goalies in the world. Vladimir Sobotka is out with a knee injury but could start skating on Monday. He is expect to be out another 10-14 days. Patrik Berglund has only 11 goals and 27 points in 59 games this season but has three goals in his last three games.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
vs. Toronto, @ Columbus, @ New York Islanders, @ New York Rangers
Rested team: vs. Toronto (Tuesday)
Tired Team: @ New York Islanders (Friday)
Notes
The Sharks play three games in four nights this week and you should expect to see Alex Stalock play at least once in place of the struggling Antti Niemi. The Sharks did nothing at the deadline. Brent Burns scored for the first time since January 5 on Tuesday but is now seeing third line minutes as he was replaced on the top line by Matthew Nieto. Martin Havlat is now seeing fourth line minutes as he has only 11 points in 32 games. Tommy Wingels is seeing second line minutes with Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture and that is good news for his fantasy owners.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
vs. Phoenix, vs. Floriday, vs. New Jersey
Rested team: vs. New Jersey (Saturday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The big news out of Tampa Bay was that Martin St. Louis requested a trade and only to the New York Rangers. GM Steve Yzerman, with his hands tied, got Ryan Callahan in return for the diminutive forward, along with a first round pick in 2015 and a second rounder in 2014. The great news in Tampa Bay was that Steve Stamkos returned to action on Thursday. It was his first game since November 11 as he broke his leg on that day. Callahan played with Valtteri Filppula and Nikita Kucherov in his debut while Stamkos skated with Teddy Purcell and Alex Killorn. The Lightning dealt Dana Tyrell and Matt Taormina to Columbus for Dalton Smith and Jonathan Marchessault.
TORONTO
Games this week
@ Anaheim, @ San Jose, @ Los Angeles, @ Washington
Rested team: None
Tired Team: @ San Jose (Tuesday)
Notes
The Maple Leafs play all four on the road including three in four nights in California so expect to see James Reimer in goal at least once. Jonathan Bernier will play the other two or three games but he should be in goal on Thursday when he returns to Los Angeles for the first time since he was dealt in the off-season to play the Kings. The Maple Leafs were very quite at the deadline as they stood pat. The Leafs made a bunch of up and down moves with Frazer McLaren and Trevor Smith going to the minors while Peter Holland and Carter Ashton were recalled. The top line of Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk have been one of the top lines this season in the NHL.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
vs. New York Islanders, @ Winnipeg, @ Washington, @ Florida
Rested team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
It should be interesting on Sunday when the Canucks are in Florida for the first time since Roberto Luongo was dealt there in exchange for Shawn Matthias and Jacob Markstrom. It was one of the big surprises of the trade deadline, but the final straw for Luongo had to be not playing in the Heritage Classic as John Tortorella thought that Eddie Lack gave the Canucks the best chance to win. Lack with now share the net with Markstrom. The two were teammates in 2009-10 with Brynas Gavle of the Swedish Elite League with Markstrom the starter and Lack the backup. The roles are reversed for now. Ryan Kesler was thought to be headed out of town but GM Mike Gillis rejected all the offers. Do not be surprised if Kesler is gone in the off-season. Raphael Diaz was sent to the Rangers.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
vs. Pittsburgh, @ Pittsburgh, vs. Vancouver, vs. Toronto
Rested team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Capitals play a home-and-home series with the Pittsburgh Penguins so look for Tom Wilson and Troy Brouwer to become involved if there is any rough stuff. The Capitals picked up Jaroslav Halak from the Sabres on Wednesday and sent Michal Neuvirth the other way. They are hoping that Halak can solve their goaltending woes that they have suffered through most of this season. The Caps picked up Dustin Penner from Anaheim in exchange for a fourth round pick. Jack Hillen was recalled after a conditioning stint in the AHL. Dmitry Orlov will return to the lineup on March 8 after being suspended two games for boarding the Flyers Brayden Schenn.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
@ Colorado, vs. Vancouver, vs. New York Rangers, vs. Dallas
Rested team: vs. New York Rangers (Friday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Jets play four times this week so expect to see Al Montoya play at least once for Ondrej Pavelec. The Jets received bad news when their top rookie Mark Scheifele injured his MCL and is expected to miss six-eight weeks. Michael Frolik will replace Scheifele as he will center Devin Setoguchi and Matt Halischuk after Frolik had been centering the top line with Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd. The Jets did nothing at the trade deadline but did sign Mark Stuart to a two-year extension. The Jets had only 18 shots on goal against the Kings Thursday with Evander Kane leading the way with seven.
