In about seven minutes, the NHL trade deadline takes effect. That means that players can no longer be traded until after the Stanley Cup playoffs. Non-playoff-bound teams unload players, and contending teams try to improve. There’s some debate about the value of deadline day moves, but it’s always an exciting day for fans.
I think the Canucks are probably done for the day, so here are their moves, courtesy of TSN:
- Acquire defenceman Keith Carney from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in exchange for a second-round pick and defenceman Brett Skinner.
- Acquire defenceman Sean Brown from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2006.
- Acquire goaltender Mika Noronen from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a second-round pick.
I think GM Dave Nonis has done a great job. He hasn’t made huge changes–the team doesn’t need them–but he has filled out our injury-riddled defence and obtained a decent goaltender. Under the salary cap system, draft picks are more valuable than they used to be, but in light of the dubious Edmonton deal (36-year-old Dwayne Roloson for a first round pick), the Noronen trade looks fantastic. Brent Skinner is a 23-year-old 3rd round pick, and was unlikely to see much pro ice time given the new depth at defence.
The best moves were probably the ones that Nonis didn’t make. This core of players gets one more Stanley Cup run before big changes are made. Nonis was wise to keep Bertuzzi, as the big forward’s trade value has never been lower. A lousy season, a lousy performance at the Olympics and an impending lawsuit don’t make for a killer deal.
All in all, it looks like the rookie GM Nonis weathered his first trade deadline without any Mike Milburyesque screw-ups. I’m sure that Uncle Weed will have plenty to say about the day on his Canucks Outsider podcast.
UPDATE: Apparently the Canucks weren’t done. They also acquired Eric Weinrich from the Blues for a third round pick and a prospect. They also dispensed with Steve McCarthy to Atlanta in exchange for a conditional draft pick.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
The Canucks rock, they are my favourite NHL team.. Wish the’d win the Stanley Cup again.
Indeed Rob, the Canucks win the Cup every year in my imagination but in reality the closest we’ve come is 2 appearences in the finals.
1982 vs Islander where we were dispatched in 4 games straight in an underdog story for the ages, and 1994 in a game 7 classic versus the Rangers.
Vancouver did gain the Stanley Cup as the Vancouver Millionaires in 1915 over the Ottawa Senators in the pre-NHL stewardship of the Stanley Cup era and just before the Spanish Influenza epidemic which cancelled the Cup (and the Seattle Metropolitans Cup defense) for the only other time besides the recent lock out debacle.