Trades: Dealine or Lifeline?

By Abe

As the dust settles after the NHL trade dealine, we finally get a good look at how the teams will look for the playoffs. Some teams made more trades than others because they could afford to do more, or simply because the team didn't feel they needed to make changes. Those who can afford to make changes gain an advantage in the fact that they can improve their team and give themselves a much better shot at making the playoffs if they are in contention.

The most active team during this years trade deadline was the Phoenix Coyotes, making seven different trades on this very busy day. They have added defensemen Derek Morris and Mathieu Schneider. They also added fowards Wojtek Wolski, Lee Stempniak, Petteri Nokelainen, and Alexandre Picard, as well as Goaltender Miika Wiikman and a few draft picks. This is a team that took full advantage of the trade deadline and made changes that they feel will help them either clinch or make the playoffs.

For teams like the Phoenix Coyotes, who are currently sitting in 5th place in the West and are only ahead of the 6th place Colorado Avalanche by 1 point, this deadline is more of a lifeline.

However, take a minute and think about this: these trades deeply change the players, yes for the fans they are fun to watch and you are happy, but not so much for the players. Some players want to get out off the organization and look forward to the trades, others are just traded. These players have to say goodbye to friends/teammates, and relocate including their family's which can be very hard, especially in the middle of the year. Think about this, your a player on one of the top team's in the league, or a team in major playoff contention. Next thing you know you get a phone call from your GM telling you that you have been traded. So instead of being on a top team, one that you have helped get there, you are now an a team that may not even be in playoff contention. I don't know about you but this would frustrate me; however, you can't do anything about it, other than try and help your new team. On the flip side, you could go from being on a non-contender to a top team, simply because that team feels you could help them go the distance.

In the end, for some team's this can be a lifeline and help them win a championship, or it can take you out of the playoffs. For players this can be a great thing and help you to win a championship or it can take you out of the hunt.