In Lou We Trust

Tomorrow, at 3 PM EST, all trades must be submitted to the NHL offices. After then, no more trades will be allowed for the rest of the season. That's a trade deadline and we have plenty of action already.

Patricia and Joe at 2 Man Advantage have a huge round up and plan to have as such all day tomorrow. I highly recommend it, a big list that clearly states who is going where and for what is very useful. Unlike the NBA, no one in the NHL is scared to make a deal. Again, the big round up post at 2MA is this link.

Tomorrow is big day among the Canadian sports media, as James Mirtle attests to. This particular post is a good round up of who's covering what, where Eric Duhatschek will be, and when Mirtle will be on XM tonight. Keep scrolling down at his blog and you'll find meaty analysis of some of the major trades that have already happened.

If you like a little snark, sarcasm, and mutterings of anguish with your trade analysis, Big Body Presence has plenty of that as well. Some are a bit subtle, some more sarcastic, and some with a bit of sadness inherent.

Rumor is that the Devils may be interested in a veteran defenseman; but given that Richard Matvichuk is sitting right there not medically cleared to play and the Devils are up against the salary cap limit as it is, I wouldn't hold my breath for any trades involving New Jersey. In the meantime, let me analyze some of these deals as it relates to the Devils.

Atlanta's acquirement of Alexei Zhitnik and Keith Tkachuk. The Thrashers were challenging New Jersey for the second spot in the conference about a month or so ago and now they are falling through the conference. Giving up a defenseman with a good future (Braydon Coburn), a character center (Glen Metropolit), and three draft picks for some veteran help is a good way to stop that for Atlanta. Zhitnik will stabilize their blueline and hopefully improve their defensive play and Tkachuk may be an excellent replacement for Marc Savard at a center position. This is not good for the Devils. The Thrashers are intent - and rightly so - at making the playoffs and their team addressed two needs by not just getting veteran help but good veteran help. Tkachuk was once a perennial all-star and Zhitnik is a good defensive defenseman. If all goes to plan and Atlanta rights the ship, they should be able to make it into the playoffs and give whoever they are facing in the first round some trouble. If the Devils fall out of the Atlantic Division lead, a team that traditionally knows what to do against NJ may be the Devils' first round opponent. The Thrashers, I think, just got more talented and that will make any future encounters with the Thrashers that much more difficult.

Montreal giving away Craig Rivet, but getting Josh Groges in return. I'm glad a possible Devils first-round opponent pretty much gives away a veteran defensive defenseman for a young defenseman, a bunch of cap space, and a first round pick. First round picks and cap space don't play in the playoffs; and I don't know whether Gorges will crack the Montreal lineup right away. Clearly, this was a move for the future for Montreal in that I don't see how it helps them now. Now more than ever do I want the Devils to play Montreal in the first round.