Deadlne Day (Lack Of) Surprises

• By: pennucci42
• On: 2/27/2012 4:12:00 PM

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The Rick Nash trade never came to fruition and Columbus GM Scott Howson revealed Nash's trade demands to the media in a press conference. Kudos have already been passed out to the Rangers and Sharks for not blowing up their teams to acquire Nash's services, but it seems the Jackets will have another star forward on their hands that wants out. As it sits now, look for Nash to resume his endowed position on Canda's IIHF World Championship team in April.

As someone that owns Nash in a money league, it would have been nice to get 20 games from him on a quality, playoff-bound team like San Jose or the Rangers. With the off-ice issues in Columbus now being made public, Nash could respond well or he could fold. Considering his numbers this season, 43 points and a minus-23, are down from his usual hauls of the 65-75 point range. He's still an elite talent, just in Columbus until at least the draft this summer when the Jackets will hopefully, for their sake, add a goalie in a trade before snagging Nail Yakupov.

-Certainly surprised no goalies were shipped anywhere today. Usually you get the veteran back-up goalie going to a contending team (think the Devils acquiring John Vanbiesbrouck in 2001) but it was surprising to not see the likes of the Isles' Evgeni Nabokov or Toronto's Jean-Sebastien Giguere changing addresses. There were some rumors about Philadelphia inquiring about San Jose's Antii Niemi due to the train wreck that is becoming Ilya Bryzgalov, but Nabokov to the Flyers would have made sense. Of course Toronto fans tweeting into Trade Centre were screaming for James Reimer to be dealt, several months after they anointed him the latest savior.

-Teams like Washington could have improved their standing with a deal or two today, because, as they stand, it's not likely they'll get into the playoffs unless they overtake Florida and Winnipeg down the stretch. Likely the southeast is getting just one team into the playoffs.

-Equally surprising that Philadelphia did not do anything more than grabbing depth defensemen Nicklas Grossman and Pavel Kubina last week. Philadelphia had some pressing needs and discussed dealing James van Riemsdyk, notably the JVR to Toronto for Luke Schenn deal.

-While Colorado unloaded Kyle Quincey, T.J. Galiardi and Daniel Winnik, the surprising move was that they opted to keep David Jones. A big winger that could have fit in nicely on teams like Pittsburgh and Boston, Jones has 11 points in February and will be an UFA come the end of the season.

-Islanders appear to be sticking it out with Pierre Parenteau, as The New York Times' Chris Botta noted that the Isles may have been asking too much for the playmaking pivot, whom they now risk losing as a UFA this coming summer.

-Many teams stood pat on the trade deadline or made small depth additions like the Bruins did, acquiring Wild stalwart Greg Zanon to shore up the defense along with veterans Mike Mottau and Brian Rolston from the Islanders.

-Dan Pennucci @DVNucci42