Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Winners and losers in the West

Yeah, yeah, we know that it’s far too early to know who really won the trade deadline. Still, a team’s moves (or lack of moves) can tell you a lot about their aggressiveness, confidence and overall plan. With that in mind, let’s discuss some of the deadline’s winners and losers in the Western Conference.

Winners

Anaheim

I was on the fence about the Ducks -- they still have a ways to go to reach the playoffs -- but one trade changed all that. Anaheim traded away the underperforming Ryan Whitney for Lubomir Visnovsky, a defensemen who will add some much needed firepower and stability to their blue line. They also added two goalies who will have the chance to battle out for the title of Jonas Hiller’s backup.

Phoenix

Yep, the Pacific Division got even stronger today. The Coyotes made a number of moves to improve their team, most notably adding Wojtek Wolski to the mix; he’s a guy that should really thrive under Dave Tippett’s tutelage. And I think the Coyotes were the only team that had any clue Mathieu Schneider still existed; he’s spent this season down in the AHL, so who knows what happens there. Derek Morris get’s another shot in Phoenix, and Jean-Luc Picard is playing hockey apparently.

Sorry, Alexandre. I won’t do that again.

More winners...

Colorado

The Avs and Coyotes swapped two players who are nearly the same but should do better in their new homes. If Peter Mueller can find a way to live up to his potential in Colorado, then a good team certainly improved immediately. They also added Stephane Yelle, who was merely a salary dump by the Hurricanes but will certainly help the Avs come playoff time.

Losers

Dallas

Whether it was by design, by financial insecurity or the right deal just never came along, but the Dallas Stars stood pat while the Pacific Division improved around them. The Stars are in a tough spot -- sell now and rebuild or try for the playoffs this season -- and did nothing to help either case.

Edmonton

Just as we expected, the Oilers made traded away some major players and received little in return. Dennis Grebeshkov was gift-wrapped and handed to Nashville and Lubomir Visnovsky was given up for Ryan Whitney. Nothing more is needed to be said.