Props to the Following Teams

[I wanna be like Miikka]

Well with the trade deadline now behind us, I thought I would give a run through of the top 5 teams that I think handled themselves the best for the month prior to the deadline and through the deadline itself. If you aren't mentioned here then don't take it personal, if you think I'm an idiot then don't put any weight into what I'm saying!

1) Phoenix Coyotes
In the past month or so the Coyotes GM managed to turn a goaltending duo of Kolzig and Weekes into Jonathan Quick and Dwayne Roloson. I know Rolo is old but he will have a solid rating next year (assuming he doesn't retire) and could potentially be the perfect stop-gap until Quick is ready to take the reigns. Quick is a good young goalie having an excellent season for the NHL LA Kings. Sure he has to compete with Ersberg and Bernier but right now Quick has jumped out front and has proven he can compete at the NHL level so good on the Yotes for turning an atrocious goaltending tandem into 2 very good pieces.

In addition to those moves, the Yotes GM was able to ditch some UFAs and bring in a couple good young pieces. Both Pardy and Geoffrion are 2 good young players that hopefully will have bright futures in the NHL.

So thumbs up to the Yotes GM, I know this team isn't ready to surge to the top of the CPHL right now, but the decisions made over this past month have really turned this franchise around and given some hope to fans in the Desert.



2) New Jersey Devils
Yeah I know you missed the playoffs, but for Brandon Sutter you added half of a team and made a very strong push to the playoffs. Then you found out you missed hours before the trade deadline ended and you were able to send out every UFA that you wouldn't sign this summer and brought in several young prospects. Bringing in a 3rd 09, Wandell, Mckenna, Novotny, Ryan White and Peckham for a bunch of guys who had 0 value for you as they all had played their final game for you was a great move. Sure none of those guys are studs, some are crap, but some are good and have potential and since you gave up nothing of value to you to get them, I say good on ya! (And you did this all in like 20 minutes of trading to boot)

3) Oilers
Well that Oiler team deserves some props, I can't remember what city they play for but GM Chad has done a commendable job the past couple weeks. He traded NHL star Hank Zetterberg for 2 great depth pieces in Cammy and Bieksa. Both of those 2 have nice contracts for next year and will also have good ratings, not to mention Cammy sim performance is solid so this move bodes well for the Oil heading into the playoffs. On top of that, Chad added a veteran forward in Brendan Shanahan who should really bolster the Oilers attack. I think both of these trades greatly improved the chances for success in the sim for the Oil, whether or not it ends up in a 1st round win, who knows!



4) Atlanta Thrashers
The GM with no youthful assets manages to continue to find and sign prospects. Neil made several moves leading up to the deadline and on deadline day which bolstered an already very talented Atlanta lineup. Adding Jochan Hecht and Hal Gill via last minute trading and picking up Smolinski and Kapenen for free GM Neil did some great manouvering to improve the depth of his squad. Everytime I think Neil is done, he finds some more youth, some magical cheese space and adds some more talent to that squad. Great job over this past month making several moves that hopefully will pay off with a long playoff push.



5)Philadelphia Flyers
If only I got a penny for every time you msned me to trade.... Several times I thought you were done dealing in the last month, you were out of cheese space and had a roster packed with great young players looking for solid rerates. Yet in the days leading up to the deadline you manage to pick up Zetterberg and then flip him for a great return in Boyes, Parent, Suter and a 2nd 09. You have constantly been flipping players and slowly increasing the value of your franchise, I think now it is becoming quite clear just how much better these Flyers are now then a few months ago.




Honorable Mention:
Pittsburgh Penguins - I know they were quiet after adding Gonchar, but I don't think I saw a team post their trade block as much as Goffie did in the final 3 weeks, you definitely get an A for effort!

[OILFAN #81]

Thanks for the kind words Ravi. I appreciate it. Yeah we feel we did a good job at the deadline and hopefully it helps in the playoffs.

PS.....we think we just found a diamond in the rough and sent in a ufa signing request to the league today. Hopefully we get the player.

[I wanna be like Miikka]

I should add, the top 5 isn't in order or anything. Just the 5 teams that I liked what they did the past few weeks.

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah, the Coyotes have done a nice job of sorting out what looked to be an awful goaltending situation.

I was pulling for Steve and the Devils to get in too since thats another one of my former teams. It was too bad that they just came up short.

Neil and Joe always do good jobs with their teams. No doubt I'd rather have Parent, Suter, and Boyes than the players I got, but really it's my fault for not doing a better job of shopping my player. No doubt Joe Messages everyone a lot, but thats how you make deals. And to be honest the guy who initiates trade talks...usually gets the deal that he wanted.

[Hanna Sniper]

Great job Ravi and a wonderful read.

Nice to see the teams involved taking the steps up, outside of Oilers and the Thrashers the other organizations have been really craving to have a GM to raise their levels like they did.

PS... glad to see I had a part of putting two teams on this list

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

No doubt I'd rather have Parent, Suter, and Boyes than the players I got, but really it's my fault for not doing a better job of shopping my player. No doubt Joe Messages everyone a lot, but thats how you make deals. And to be honest the guy who initiates trade talks...usually gets the deal that he wanted.

Not sure thats the deal he wanted, more the deal he got! it was just a matter of him not saying yes too quickly

[nyrcrisfer]

Nice article, and I definitely agree. The Yotes improving their goaltending situation was extremely important for that team's future. And I also agree with the Thrashers being up there as they picked up some nice pieces without giving up too much or having to make drastic moves.

[Da_Chief]

Well basically what Doug said, I had my eye on good young players, I started the talks, Doug threw an offer I countered and we agreed on something.

Anyways, thanks for the kind words. It comes down to what we do next year and using the young talent we've acquired.