DR Hook’s… TD-DAY ANALYSIS

• Columbus sent Goalie Pascal Leclaire and a 2nd-Round Pick to Ottawa for Center Antoine Vermette

Good trade by Scott Howson? pretty nothing for Bryan Murray (who is on his last legs) in Ottawa.? Columbus gets the center they needed especially with others rumored to be on the market were signed.? Vermette was played primarily at the wing in Ottawa and should see a a vast improvement back to his center spot.? Leclaire is one of the many ?band-aid? players in the NHL.? A good (high paid) goalie when he?s healthy? which isn?t often.? I go against the grain and call this one a winner for Columbus.

• The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed Martin Gerber off waivers from the Ottawa Senators.

A pick up more than likely setting-up a trade of Vesa Toskala… most likely to the Capitals.

• St. Louis Blues trades D, Andy Wozniewski to Pittsburgh for D, Danny Richmond.

Nothing more than the Penguins giving-up on Richmond and trying someone else.

• Buffalo Sabres acquired G, Mikael Tellqvist from Phoenix for a fourth round pick.

This is losing out on Leclair and finding a warm body to fill-in until Miller is healthy.

• Flames acquire D, Jordan Leopold from the Av?s in exchange for defensemen Lawrence Nycholat and Ryan Wilson.

I seriously believe that Francois Giguere?s days as a GM are history.? I think unless he got cold feet from Boston that Peter Chiarelli had to be offering more.? Nycholat is a lifer AHL player.? Wilson has put up a ton of assists in the OHL but really what’s he thinking.? Hey who knows… it’s not like Colorado is going anywhere.?

• Flames acquiring C, Olli Jokinen Coyotes for C, Matthew Lombardi, RW, Brandon Prust and a first-round pick.

This is huge.? For both teams.? Jokinen has never been one of my favorites (I?ve always questioned his team play) but he?s seen as a major first line center throughout the NHL.? Phoenix in money problems and getting really nothing from Jokinen add a replacement center and Prust is a replacement for Danny Carcillo who’s brains are turning to mush and another first round pick.? The YOTES dispite money problems are building a young, decent crop of players before they move back to Winnipeg.

• The? Ducks acquired W, Petteri Nokelainen from Boston for D, Steve Montador.

Good trade for Boston bringing in some toughness that can play either as a defenseman or a wing.? Nokelainen is no big loss to the Bruins? nor much of a gain for the Ducks.? It looks like both Niedamyer and Pronger are staying put.

• ?Penguins have claimed Craig Adams off re-entry waivers.

Adams is basically a PK player with a lot of energy.? It makes me wonder if something isn?t in the works in regard to moving Pascal Dupuis or Max ?superstar? Talbot.

• The Bruins have acquired none other than PKrundle?s FAV Mark Recchi and a second rounder from the Lightning for? Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums.

Pkrundle is crying right now but what the heck is Peter Chiarelli thinking.? Well, I guess he got that 2nd round pick which is almost like a late first round pick.? Lashoff will probably play right away in Tampa and may put Cory Murphy up for trade bait yet this season.? Karsums has a good chance of making the BOLTS next season.? I hate to break Pkrudles heart but Boston needed some size and midget Rechhi ain?t it.

• The Stars claimed C, Brendan Morrison from the Ducks off of waivers.

Morrison is a 2nd line center who been on the decline.? He not a good 2nd line center anymore and is a fill-in for the injured Brad Richards

• The Flightless Birdies get Billy Guerin for a conditional draft pick (a third to fifth) depending on where they finish.

Where to go with this one? I?m not a big Guerin fan.? But, I like it much more than bringing back Recchi.? Guerin does have size and speed and maybe, just maybe he clicks with Crosby.? He for sure he isn?t hesitant to shoot the puck.? But, here?s my real take? ?IF? Guerin is going to the third line which would mean the Pens aren?t done yet.? It could get really explosive in the next half-hour.? I?m getting FIRED-UP.? Guerin brings the GRIT Satan never brought to the table.? See what I meant by getting Dupuis and Satan shoved to the 4th line now?? Of course you do.