Analysis: Injuries have taken a toll on the Blues'
lineup, and the addition of Colaiacovo and Steen should fill
the immediate need for bodies with experience. Steen, a
two-way forward, is likely to have a long-term role in
St. Louis. What kind of impact Colaiacovo will have is more of
a question mark. The responsible, poised defenseman has never
been able to overcome an injury prone career that has
ulimately limited his numbers. Stempniak is a solid addition
to Toronto's roster. The winger's speed and offensive ability
will provide the Leafs, a team with a scoring-by-committee
mentality, another option for goals.
Analysis: Tampa Bay's rebuilding experiment has yet to
show results and moving Carle -- one component of the summer's
Dan Boyle trade -- ended up being necessary to free up
approximately $3.4 million over the next three years. The
former Hobey Baker winner will have an immediate impact in
Philadelphia, where the Flyers are still hurting on the blue
line. He's got the ability to be a workhorse, blocks lots of
shots and has offensive upside. Eminger, a former
first-rounder, has the skills of a puck-moving defenseman, but
has yet to put up numbers which show this. The Bolts get a
future agitator in Downie, whose most notable incident at the
NHL level -- hitting Ottawa's Dean McAmmond -- resulted in a
20-game suspension.
Analysis: Alberts failed to earn a slot among Boston's
top six defenseman, and the move helps the Bruins free up
$1.25 million in salary. He brings a physical style and
experience to Philadelphia, where the blueline has been
decimated by injuries. The move also buys time in the
development of 18-year-old Luca Sbisa, who earned a roster
spot because of injuries, but needs a little more seasoning in
juniors. In return, the Bruins receive Lukacevic, a
22-year-old winger who has spent the last two seasons in the
ECHL.
Analysis: Zigomanis found himself pushed off the
Coyotes depth chart following the influx of young talent. He's
still capable of centering a checking line and it appears
he'll be suiting up with Pittsburgh for the time being. But
given the fact he's played for several NHL and AHL teams over
the past couple seasons, the pivot will probably see a fair
amount of time with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), too.
Analysis: In O'Brien, the Canucks get a tough, physical
defenseman who isn't afraid to drop the gloves. Ouellet
struggled to earn a roster spot on the new-look Lightning, but
is capable of putting up 15-20 goals. The move doesn't improve
Tampa Bay on the ice, but frees up about $1 million in salary
cap space to make future moves. Krajieck is a workhorse-like
defenseman, but doesn't put up many points and tends to make
errors in his own end. Simek, a Swiss import, struggled in his
pro debut with Manitoba (AHL) last season, registering just 17
points in 66 games.
Analysis: This move works out to be a salary cap
adjustment for both teams. The Ducks, give themselves a little
breathing room by shedding O'Donnell's $1.2 million cap
hit. On the flip side, the addition brings Los Angeles's
payroll closer to the required minimum. O'Donnell, who played
for the Kings from 1994-2000, will provide leadership and
experience to a relatively young squad. He doesn't have much
offensive upside, but could be valuable from the point given
his powerful shot.
Analysis: It was only a matter of time before the
Lightning, who picked up a lot of offensive help this summer,
started trimming their long list of forwards. Tarnasky is a
versatile forward, switching between center and wing, and will
bring grit to Nashville's checking line. If Tarnasky plays at
least 55 games with the Predators, Tampa Bay will receive a
fifth-round pick in 209. Otherwise, the Bolts will receive a
sixth-round pick for the deal.
Analysis: Getting Schneider off the payrolls was a
necessary move for the Ducks, who are over the salary cap and
trying to free up money to re-sign Teemu Selanne. Schneider is
a reliable defenseman who brings veteran leadership to the
Thrashers blue line, and will give a boost to the team's power
play. Klee provides the Ducks with a defenseman who focuses on
his own end. Larsen, a fourth-liner, will be a fitting
addition to a big, physical Anaheim squad. Painchaid, a
fourth-round pick in 2004, has yet to make the NHL.
Analysis: Desperate to dump salary, the Maple Leafs rid
themselves of McCabe and his $5.75 million cap hit. But it
also cost them a draft pick to do so. McCabe is a hard-hitting
defenseman who is also capable of putting up points. He fell
out of favor in Toronto after injuries, defensive errors and a
dip on production drew the ire of fans. He's in a less
critical market now, which gives him the opportunity to start
anew. In return, Toronto receives Van Ryn, once viewed as
having the potential to become one of the league's better
offensive defensemen given his hard shot. But the defenseman
has undergone four wrist surgeries in the last two years and
may not pack the same punch from the point.
Analysis: Shannon is a versatile forward who can play
rhe role of a pivot or wing. He has split time between the NHL
and AHL throughout his career, which is likely the same
scenario he will face in Ottawa. A good showing in camp,
however, could earn Shannon some time on the Senators' fourth
line. An offensive-defenseman at the AHL level, Nycholat will
have a tough time cracking a packed Canucks blueline. He'll
bring depth to Vancouver's minor-league affiliate and can fill
the role of a veteran should the injury bug hit the Canucks
defensive corps again this season.
Analysis: A restricted free agent, Meszaros appeared on
the verge of holding out after turning down a couple contract
offers from the Senators. He'll step in as Tampa Bay's power
play quarterback and should at least match his offensive
numbers playing behind Vincent Lecavalier and Martin
St. Louis. But the Lightning gave up quite a bit to get
him. Kuba is an older version of Meszaros, while Picard, 23,
is a young puckmover capable of developing into an offensive
defenseman. All three players are somewhat flawed defensively,
however, which doesn't help either team in their own end.
