Taking a closer look at the big movers in the NHL.
After a very quiet morning, there was a late flurry of activity ahead of the NHL deadline on Wednesday, with 17 trades being made in the final hours.
Amongst the most significant, was the New York Rangers’ decision to trade Marian Gaborik, who joins the Colombus Blue Jackets as part of a six-man package going either way and a sixth-round pick in 2014 for the Rangers.
Gaborik hit the 40-goal mark in his first two seasons in New York, but has struggled to replicate that form this season with just nine goals and 19 points in 35 games after undergoing shoulder surgery in the off-season. That disappointing run has also seen him score just twice in his last 22 outings.
The 31-year-old also had his issues with coach John Tortorella, and waived a no movement clause in his contract to allow the deal to go through. He will now be hoping to recapture his goal-scoring touch for the Blue Jackets in their bid for play-off action this season.
The Rangers gained around $1.7m under the salary cap as a result of the deals, allowing them to make further movements at the end of the season.
Elsewhere, the Buffalo Sabres traded Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild for Johan Larsson and Matt Hackett, as well as a first-round draft pick in 2013 and second-round pick in 2014.
The former Buffalo captain is an eight-year veteran and a six-time 20-goal scorer, and will undoubtedly provide a huge push for the Wild for the remainder of the season.
Amongst the other big moves on deadline day was Martin Erat’s switch from the Nashville Predators to the Washington Capitals.
The 31-year-old has spent his entire 12-year career in Nashville, and has four goals and 17 assists in 36 games this season.
He will hope to add another dimension to their play as they prepare for their next game just two points behind the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the Southeast Division.
There were various other deals finalised on what was a slow deadline day until the final hours. Teams around the NHL will now be hoping that they have the pieces in place to either maintain or improve their current situation down the final stretch of the season.
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