For a while there, it certainly looked like the 2013 NHL trade deadline might come and go without much fanfare, with teams opting to hold onto assets in hopes of making deep playoff runs. But as the day crept closer, teams started making big moves and deadline day saved some of the best for last.
Perhaps the most surprising trade of the day involved the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers, who connected on a deal last year that saw Rick Nash move to Broadway in exchange for Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov
. The two teams combined again for a blockbuster trade, this time with the Rangers sending goal-scorer Marian Gaborik, Steven Delisle and Blake Parlett to Columbus in exchange for forwards Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett, defenseman John Moore and a sixth-round draft pick in 2014.
“I was surprised, but it’s a challenge and I’m looking forward to it,” said Gaborik, who had to waive his no trade clause for the deal. “I had some time to think about and I talked to some guys who played there and I talked to John Davidson. I decided that they are a young team going in the right direction.”
The Blue Jackets also dealt goaltender Steve Mason to Philadelphia in exchange for goaltender Michael Leighton and a third round draft pick in 2015, and acquired Blake Comeau from Calgary in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick and Patrick Killeen from Pittsburgh in a pair of separate moves.
The Rangers had previously nabbed gritty forward Ryane Clowe from the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday in exchange for a second round pick in 2013, a third round pick in 2013, and a conditional pick in 2014.
Another major trade on deadline day saw the Buffalo Sabres deal forward Jason Pominville and a fourth-round draft pick in 2014 to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Johan Larsson, Matt Hackett, a first-round draft pick in 2013 and a second-round pick in 2014.
Boston added defensive depth by acquiring Wade Redden from the St. Louis Blues, who previously acquired defenseman Jay Bouwmeester from the Calgary Flames several days ago. The Bruins were also active before deadline day, picking up forward Jaromir Jagr from the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were relatively quiet, despite their best efforts. The team tried to woo goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff out of Calgary to no avail, and was unable to reach an agreement with the Vancouver Canucks regarding goalie Roberto Luongo. The Leafs did pick up defenseman Ryan O’Byrne from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2014 fourth-round pick.
GM Steve Yzerman of the Tampa Bay Lightning made a surprising move and acquired goalie Ben Bishop from Ottawa in exchange for forward Cory Conachar and a fourth-round draft pick. Conachar has scored nine goals and added 15 assists in 35 games with the Lightning this season and currently ranks second in rookie scoring.
The Phoenix Coyotes sent forward Raffi Torres to the Sharks, who also acquired defenseman Scott Hannan from Nashville. Phoenix also dealt forward Matthew Lombardi to the Anaheim Ducks and Steve Sullivan to the New Jersey Devils.
The Pittsburgh Penguins were also active once again, this time dealing for Jussi Jokinen from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a conditional draft pick. The Penguins had already been incredibly active prior to the trade deadline, adding Brenden Morrow from the Dallas Stars, Jarome Iginla from the Flames, and defenseman Douglas Murray from San Jose.
Lastly, in a last-minute deadline deal, the Nashville Predators acquired prospect Filip Forsberg from the Washington Capitals in exchange for forward Martin Erat and prospect Michael Latta. Forsberg was selected 11th overall by the Capitals in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
