Marian Hossa Traded to Penguins
At NHL Trade Deadline the Dallas Stars pick up Brad Richards
The Dallas Stars trade for Brad Richards, and the Pittsburgh Penguins trade for Marian Hossa, although that does not guarantee success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In a day that netted an NHL record-tying 25 trades, the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins solidified their teams for a long playoff run. Playing almost all season on cellar-dwellers, both Marian Hossa and Brad Richards were dealt to the Penguins and Stars, respectively, and both players will be asked to use their offensive prowess to lead their teams to hockey's promised land.
If one could make a list of things never to believe, what an NHL team general manager has to say at the trade deadline would have to be near the top. Pittsburgh Penguins' General Manager, Ray Shero, had intimated that that the Penguins would not be a big player at the trade deadline. So what did his team do? It made the biggest trade of the day, getting Marian Hossa from Atlanta in exchange for three players and a first-round draft pick. The Penguins also got Pascal Dupuis in the deal.
This should make the rest of the Eastern Conference very nervous. The Penguins, currently ranked fourth in the conference, already have a high-flying offense, led by superstar Sydney Crosby and the NHL's leading scorer, Evgeni Malkin. Now, their offense is even more potent with Hossa, a five-time all star, jumping on board.
In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars made the big splash, getting Brad Richards from Tampa Bay in exchange for goaltender Mike Smith, Jeff Halpern, shootout wizard Jussi Jokinen, and a fourth-round draft pick. The Stars also got goaltender Johan Holmqvist, who will backup Marty Turco. The Stars are hoping that Richards, the 2004 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, will add some offensive punch to an already-strong offensive team, but one that lost in the first round of the playoffs last season, despite three shutouts by Turco.
So what do these trades mean? Only time will tell. Teams like to think that making a trade for a big-time player will result in playoff success. History is replete, however, with examples of big trades not translating into success during the playoffs. The reverse is true as well. The Anaheim Ducks, winners of last season's Stanley Cup, made only one trade at the deadline, an insignificant move to acquire bit player Brad May.
These deals do, however, boost both teams' chances of making a big run come playoff time. The Stars, barring a monumental collapse, should win the Pacific Division and get at least the second seed in the playoffs. In a tightly packed Eastern Conference, the Penguins are currently one point out of first place.
These deals prove once again that the NHL trade deadline is always an exciting time. It signals the beginning of the run to the playoffs. It is a time when the contenders solidify their stance among the league's elite (Pittsburgh and Dallas), and when other teams dump some major talent in order to save a few bucks (Atlanta and Tampa Bay).
Whatever the success of the Penguins and Stars in the playoffs, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner, and that is music to the ears of hockey fans everywhere. So, find your favorite chair, grab your favorite beverage, and get ready for some high-stakes hockey.
