Trades Trades Trades Pt. 1

Did you survive?

I’m guessing if you’re reading this now, you made it through the day that will go down in infamy as Trade Deadline 2012. If you missed any of it, I’m here to help you sift through the Twitter insanity and figure out who came out on top and who’s going to be making up for their choices for years to come. Some teams made themselves cup contenders and some are looking toward next year. I’m going to take you through the breakups…

and the shakeups from yesterday’s melee. I’m gonna warm up with a transaction from Tradmas Eve. and get into yesterday’s meat and potatoes. So like a man calling for his dog to bring him a beer, here we go!

Ben Bishop to Ottawa for a 2nd Round Pick in 2013 to St. Louis
Less than 72 hours ago, I told a friend that if any team was looking to pick up quality net-minding, they should go for Ben Bishop. When I got the text the next morning that Ottawa picked him up, I was not surprised. Bishop has been trapped in the AHL behind two solid goaltenders in Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak. I had the pleasure of watching him play at the 2012 AHL All Star Classic and he not only won the award for most saves in the Skills Competition, but he walked away with the All Star Game MVP award. (Keep in mind, since that game at least 10 of the players who played in that game have been called up to play with their NHL affiliates. Bishop has sat one NHL game since) Ottawa was so impressed with Bishy that they opted to sign him to a one-way deal. Big Ben’s playing with the big club! This works out especially well for the Senators because, in short, Craig Anderson is an injury ninja who does not know how to properly use kitchen cutlery. As long as Bishop is kept away from steak knives, he should thrive in the NHL.
Winner: Ottawa

Andrei Kostitsyn to Nashville for a 2nd Round and conditional 5th round pick to Montreal
This trade, the first move on the morning of the Trade Deadline had Bob McKenzie, King of all that is Hockey Dealings, questioning the reunion of the Brothers Kostitsyn. The two of them played together in Montreal from 2007-2010. Neither proved to be fruitful during that time. Currently Andrei is suffering from one of the worst slumps in his NHL career with only 24 points on the season (12G/12A). A change of scenery could be what the doctor ordered.

Winner: Currently, a warm body is better than nobody, Nashville.