Music: {allcanada} Predators, Canucks show the most improvement

Monday, February 27, 2012

{allcanada} Predators, Canucks show the most improvement

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Although Monday was trade deadline day, the trading season has been happening for the past two weeks. USA TODAY hockey reporter Kevin Allen ranks the teams that have helped themselves the most:

1. Nashville Predators: Added a defenseman with size (Hal Gill), a forward for their top six (Andrei Kostitsyn) and a coveted checking center (Paul Gaustad). No team improved their playoff readiness more than the Predators.

2. Vancouver Canucks: GM Mike Gillis wanted to make his team tougher up front, and he accomplished that by acquiring 228-pound Zack Kassian, a tough, rugged young forward who can run over opponents. There is some risk here, because Kassian isn't fully developed. But the reward potential is great, Plus, offensive-minded defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani could fit nicely into the Vancouver mix. Samuel Pahlsson, picked up from Columbus, is a proven role player.

3. Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres needed a center, and they landed a quality young center in Cody Hodgson. He's a skillful player who could immediatley upgrade Buffalo's offense. Then, GM Darcy Regier made the Predators overpay with a first round pick for Gaustad.

4. Philadelphia Flyers: Although the Flyers did nothing on deadline day, they added Pavel Kubina and Nicklas Grossman recently to give themselves a very sound defense heading toward the postseason. Although some fans might have wanted them to add a goalie, that wasn't a feasible option.

5. Boston Bruins: Maybe Brian Rolston, Greg Zanon and Mike Mottau don't register on the Richter scale, but those are all the kind of players that premium contenders want to add at the deadline. The hope is that Rolston could be this year's Mark Recchi. Plus, his big shot could help the power play. Zanon is a first- rate shot blocker. Mottau is a seasoned veteran with 307 games of NHL experience.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning: The emphasis at the deadline is always on the contenders adding pieces, but you can't forget about non-playoff teams preparing for the future. The Lightning were eight points out of the playoffs when GM Steve Yzerman started moving his veterans. Since then, he has moved Dominic Moore, Pavel Kubina, Steve Downie and Matt Gilroy, and now his team is only six points out of the playoffs. Plus he has added a first-round pick, two seconds and former first-round pick Brian Lee. Plus, he traded a quality prospect forward (Carter Ashton) for a 6-5 quality young defenseman (Keith Aulie).

7. Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings were quiet on trade deadline day, only moving Mike Commodore for a seventh-round pick, but last week they added Kyle Quincey who will play 20-plus minutes for them. Given the lack of major deals, the Quincey deal looks even more impressive

8. Los Angeles Kings: Ranked 30th in scoring, the Kings added proven scorer Jeff Carter. Although his 11-season contract might seem excessive, his $5.27 million salary cap is reasonable for a scorer of his level of accomplishment. GM Dean Lombardi certainly addressed his issue in a major way.

9. San Jose Sharks: Needing to add some grit and toughness, the Sharks acquired Daniel Winnik, a rugged third-liner who can also can chip in offensively. T.J. Galiardi's speed will give the Sharks an energy surge.

10. Colorado Avalanche: The addition of Steve Downie has added a spark to the team's forward group, and Jamie McGinn has had a breakthrough season with 12 goals.