Hoc-key? Hell yes

After spending all day following it and talking about it with the three remaining hockey fans I actually know, I figured I'd write about the things that surprised me about Trade Deadline Day for the NHL, other than the fact that the Bruins are still in line for a playoff spot.


THE BIG ONE: Of course, for weeks the biggest name expected to be on the move was one Marian Hossa. I resisted the urge to curl up in the fetal position when I read rumors today that the Montreal Canadiens might be the front-runners for two months of his services. Thankfully, that was only a nightmare, and when I woke up in a cold sweat, Hossa was on his way to Pittsburgh. Now it is only opposing Eastern Conference goaltenders that need to fear, though it remains to be seen if they pair Hossa with Crosby and Malkin to make the most dangerous line in the NHL, or opt for scoring depth over two lines. Either way, the Pens may have just become the toughest 'out' in the East.


THE HEAD SCRATCHER: In what many people thought was a precursor to the Horrible Habs picking up Mr. Hossa, they traded away their most proven goaltender, Cristobal Huet. Huet was set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, but still, the Canadiens seemed to be poised to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup this year, coming into tonight three points out of the Northeast Division lead. Now they're pinning their playoff hopes on solid-prospect-but-unproven Carey Price. I understand the desire not to lose Huet for nothing, but at the cost of this season it seems...a little too future-focused. But then again, they do a lot of things oddly in French Canada.


THE NON-MOVE: Phil Kessel is still a Bruin. Milan Lucic is still a Bruin. These are very good things. I am very glad the Bruins didn't sell out for a rent-a-player this year, because this year isn't about winning the Cup, it's about setting the franchise up to be in position to win the Cup for as many years as possible in the near future. And who knows, with this team so built around its defense and goaltending, it may not take more than Tim Thomas being this year's "Goaltender who gets on a ridiculous hot streak in the playoffs, thereby carrying his team about two rounds further than they should have gone" (Sidenote: should we name that award after J.S. Giguere from '03 or Kiprussoff from a couple of years ago?)


THE SIDE MOVES OF NOTE: The Avalanche picked up Peter Forsberg off the street, as well as Adam Foote from Columbus, in hopes of reuiniting their 2001 Cup Champion team for another run at the title. Ray Bourque was apparently unavailable. Sergei Fedorov, who I was surprised to learn was still in the league, also moved to Washington, who are clearly hellbent on winning the Southeast Division away from the Hurricanes. (Sidenote: that division really doesn't deserve to get a playoff spot...the winner should get a bye in the AHL Playoffs) Also, former Bruins Martin Lapointe (Ottawa), Hal Gill (Pittsburgh) and Brad Stuart (Detroit) were moved today. Also Brad Richards was traded, but I didn't care, so he gets final billing.

In summation, I think following the Trade Deadline Day has officially gotten me back into hockey on the whole, just in time for the playoffs.