Associated Press
The NHL notebook …
The biggest names stayed put as the NHL trade deadline came and went Wednesday with a flurry of activity, but not a great deal of star quality.
After top defensemen Chris Pronger, Jay Bouwmeester and Tomas Kaberle made their way through the rumor mill leading up to the deadline, none were sent packing. St. Louis held on to forward Keith Tkachuk, and Ryan Smyth remained with sliding Colorado.
Whether that was due to the state of the economy, the hard salary cap, or unwillingness by teams to give up prime assets for rental players, the dealing that was done took on more of a second-tier feel.
There were 22 trades and a record 47 players moved in the final six hours of dealing Wednesday. This marked the sixth consecutive season that 20 deals were made.
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As far as marquee value, Bill Guerin was the closest to a household name that changed addresses. After being in trade limbo since Saturday night when the Islanders yanked him out of the lineup after warmups, the 38-year-old former New York captain waived his no-trade clause and was dealt to Pittsburgh.
Now instead of being a part of a youth movement, that so far has landed the Islanders at the bottom of the NHL standings, he can be part of the Penguins’ playoff push on a line with Sidney Crosby. All Pittsburgh paid was a conditional draft pick that won’t be any higher than a third-rounder.
Guerin, once one of the NHL’s top power forwards, was the Islanders’ second-leading scorer with 16 goals and 20 assists in 61 games.
“I think it’s worth a chance with a Billy Guerin, that playing with good players he will be able to score goals,” Penguins general manager Ray Shero said. “I’m hoping he can re-energize his career here in Pittsburgh. I think it’s a good move for both of us.”
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The New York Rangers sent a second-round draft pick and a conditional choice to Toronto for 6-foot-6 forward Nik Antropov.
Those trades were made on the day Sean Avery rejoined the Rangers for practice after he was claimed off waivers from Dallas on Tuesday.
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There were four other waiver claims Wednesday as Toronto grabbed goalie Martin Gerber from Ottawa and defenseman Erik Reitz from the Rangers; Dallas took center Brendan Morrison from Anaheim; and Pittsburgh plucked right winger Craig Adams from Chicago.
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Boston acquired veteran forward Mark Recchi from Tampa Bay but had to give up Latvian forward Martins Karsums, defenseman Matt Lashoff and a second-round draft pick. The Bruins also traded forward Petteri Nokelainen to Anaheim for defenseman Steve Montador.
-Columbus sent goalie Pascal Leclaire and a second-rounder to Ottawa.
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The Avalanche sent defenseman Jordan Leopold to Calgary for defenseman Lawrence Nycholat, forward Ryan Wilson and a second-round pick.