Dan’s Daily Links: The Aftermath, NHL Trade Deadline Anger & Joy

The NHL trade deadline is like Christmas morning with untold presents waiting beneath the GM tree. But not every good boy gets what he asked for and the NHL general managers had to scrap over a couple of prized possessions, including Pittsburgh native Vincent Trocheck who has a new address in Carolina. The Pittsburgh Penguins made a couple of deals, as did their rival Washington Capitals and the other Eastern Conference powers.

First, Jim Rutherford dished on Conor Sheary, and Patrick Marleau’s desire for “the ultimate prize,” (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

As I re-read Rutherford’s sentence about the ultimate prize, I could only think of Highlander references.

We also did an exhaustive analysis of the Penguins trade deadline and big picture analysis. I like to think pieces like this are why readers subscribe! (PHN+)

One of the big NHL trade deadline losers on Monday was the Montreal Canadiens. That is NOT a city that takes fumbling well or forgives mistakes. Montreal didn’t do much selling or buying.

*There’s Nothing for Canadiens Fans to Get Excited About (Montreal Gazette)

• Canadiens Fail to Give Fans Clarity After Confusing Deadline (Sportsnet)

The Penguins rivals did pretty well for themselves. The New York Islanders snagged J-G Pageau and inked him to a new contract. Just take a look at the new Islanders lines (Daily Faceoff)

When Casey Czikas and Cal Clutterbuck return to that lineup… lookout.

Full trade deadline recap, analysis, and some fandom, too: Respect No Longer an Issue on Long Island (Lighthouse Hockey)

The Islanders almost acquired Zach Parise. ?! (New York Post)

I can’t fathom a deal for Parise which would have made the Islanders a better team beyond this season, but good on Bill Guerin for almost getting it done. “Lou Lamm” is a tough customer at the negotiating table, unless you’re a Russian winger.

There isn’t much analysis and none which is free, about the Washington Capitals deadline day. They did pretty, pretty well over the last couple of weeks (The Athletic)

The Capitals also got Daniel Sprong for Christian Djoos. I’m not even having that debate anymore.

Perhaps the big winner at the trade deadline was the Edmonton Oilers. Mike Green and Tyler Ennis are OK, but Edmonton also got Andreas Athanasiou for two second-round picks and light-scoring Sam Gagner. Wow. (Edmonton Sun)

Yes, count me in the troop who believes Athanasiou would have flourished in Pittsburgh.

Aside from Montreal, the other big loser at the NHL Trade Deadline was the Chicago Blackhawks. Everyone else got a premium price. Chicago…didn’t when then they dealt Robin Lehner to Vegas and Erik Gustafsson (Chicago Sun-Times)

Lehner to Vegas is interesting. Marc-Andre has some competition. Lehner is legit and was had for peanuts.