DESERT OUTLAWS

Wojtek Wolski joins the Phoenix Coyotes at the deadline. Photo credit: blogs.denverpost.com/avs

By Chris Carrano

The NHL trade deadline came and went yesterday and if you blinked once, you may have even missed it. Even though a record number of trades were made (31 in all), it surprisingly lacked any sizzle, as there were no blockbuster deals that took place. The Pittsburgh Penguins may have scored the biggest name out there not named Kovalchuk in acquiring Alexei Ponikarovsky but it was the Phoenix Coyotes who made out like bandits and set themselves up for a playoff run at this year’s deadline.

Phoenix acquired left winger Wojtek Wolski from the Colorado Avalanche for a pair of right wingers, Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter. This was a steal for Phoenix as Mueller has been on a decline since his rookie season. He scored 22 goals in 81 games in the 2007-08 season compared to the four he’s scored this season in 54 games. The Avs hope he can recapture his scoring touch. In Kevin Porter, the Avs get Phoenix’s fifth-ranked prospect and a former Hobey Baker Award winner with Michigan.

Wolski had been very productive this season as he brings his 47 points (17 G, 30 A) to the table, immediately becoming the Coyotes leading point-getter along with Shane Doan. Colorado fans are biting their nails wondering if this move will come back to bite them. It’s surprising that they would trade a good offensive player for what they got in return as they make a run at the post-season. The surprising Avalanche sit in sixth place in the Western Conference and the Coyotes are one point above them in fifth.

The Coyotes made a few more interesting moves yesterday that could bolster their position in the standings and make them a serious contender come April. They added a pair of defensemen to their blue line by reacquiring Derek Morris from the Boston Bruins and obtaining Mathieu Schneider from Vancouver. This was the third time Morris was moved at the trade deadline and he was second in scoring amongst Bruins defensemen with three goals and 25 points. He’ll bring immediate help to the Coyotes, and with the way he moves the puck, Phoenix can generate some prime scoring chances, especially with the newly acquired Wolski. Mathieu Schnieder, who according to THN.com, is a pure power play specialist who joins an intriguing defense corps which already includes Ed Jovanovski and Keith Yandle. Phoenix didn’t lose much in this deal either, giving up two draft picks (one in 2010 and one in 2011) and Sean Zimmerman. This will be an interesting team to watch down the stretch.

The Philadelphia Flyers stayed still yesterday as they didn’t make any moves to gear up for a run at the post-season. The Broad Street Bullies would have been a trendy pick to win the Atlantic Division had they made a move for Florida goalie Tomas Vokoun. Although they trail division leader New Jersey by ten points in the standings (its only five wins), a move for Vokoun would have them in contention. Ray Emery is out with a season ending injury and Philly is stuck with NHL journeyman Michael Leighton in net. Although Leighton had a bit of a hot streak going, he lacks big game experience. When asked if they tried to get a goalie, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren told ESPN.com, "A lot of teams called and were fishing around, but I wouldn't really say we really tried." The Flyers with Vokoun would have been a scary team and a team that no one would want to meet in a playoff series.

They Boston Bruins stayed relatively quiet at this year’s deadline also but they did add defenseman Dennis Seidenberg from the Florida Panthers. Seidenberg will replace Derrick Morris on the blue line and the Bruins were able to clear about $1.5 million in cap space. "We've been trying to get a scoring forward, and while there were a couple available, there wasn't a fit there," Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told ESPN.com. "Listen, it's not news to me that we're offensively challenged now, and for us to go out and do something on defense may not look like we're trying to address the problem but we felt that at the end of the day, if all we could do is improve the makeup of our defense, that would help our offense."

THATS WHAT HE SAID

“(It was) the best game I’ve ever played in” –Ryan Callahan of the New York Rangers when describing the gold medal game between the USA and Canada.

Unfortunately for Mr. Callahan and New York Ranger fans, that may be the best game he plays in for a while. With the lack of goal scorers and dead weight the Rangers have had this season, its going to be a long time before Ryan can say that again.

And for those who have ever wondered about how deals go down on Deadline Day, here is a Q&A from NHL.com http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=409700&navid=DLNHLhome

AROUND THE NHL

Washington @ Buffalo Ryan Miller’s homecoming in Buffalo last night opened with a 45-second standing ovation but ended with a crushing defeat as the Capitals offensive defenseman Mike Green broke a 1-1 tie in the third period. The Caps went on to win 3-1.

Vancouver @ Detroit The Canucks 14-game road trip continued last night with a 6-3 rout of the Red Wings. Ryan Kesler scored two goals and Roberto Luongo made 28 saves in his first game back since the Olympics ended.

Philadelphia @ Florida David Booth had a four point night (1G, 3A) and Michael Frolik had two goals for the Panthers in a wild 7-4 defeat of the Flyers. Both teams combined for 66 minutes in penalties and four power play goals.

Edmonton @ Chicago The Blackhawks scored three goals in the third period to put away the lowly Oilers 5-2 last night. Chicago out shot Edmonton 47-14 and sent the Oilers to their fourth straight loss.

Minnesota @ Calgary Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom upstaged his Finnish teammate Miikka Kipprusoff by stopping 29 shots in a 4-0 shutout over the Flames.

Colorado @ Anaheim The Avalanche scored four unanswered goals in a 4-3 comeback win over the Ducks last night. Newly acquired Peter Mueller tied the game in the second period and Paul Stastny had three assists.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

Toronto @ Boston 7 pm
Ottawa @ Carolina 7 pm
Pittsburgh @ NY Rangers 7 pm
Tampa Bay @ Washington 7 pm
NY Islanders @ Atlanta 7 pm
Los Angeles @ Nashville 8 pm
St. Louis @ Dallas 8:30 pm
Colorado @ Phoenix 9 pm (Intriguing game of the night)
Montreal @ San Jose 10:3o pm