Five lopsided trades from 2013 NHL trade deadline

    The NHL trade deadline. The last day of the year a General Manager can make moves to ensure his team is a contender for Lord Stanley; and/or move assets of which are set to become a UFA.

    Once maybe twice at each deadline; one can look back and ask themselves what were they thinking.  The week leading up to April 3, 2013 left hockey people scratching there heads on many fronts. 

How desperate were you?

    It started March 25, 2013 Pittsburgh and San Jose made the following trade. Penguins surrendered (2) 2nd rounders for rugged defenseman Douglas Murray. A hefty price for the Penguins to pay. Murray played 29 games (14 regular season, 15 playoff games) never was the physical presence like in San Jose. San Jose used both 2^nd rounders to move up in the 2013 draft.

    Eight days later the Sharks moved another pending UFA Ryan Clowe to the Rangers for a 2nd, 3rd & 5th round picks. After playing 12 regular season games & 2 playoff games for the Rangers, Clowe signed with the cross town rivals New Jersey Devils. 

     So to recap..... Murray & Clowe were UFA's at years end; and in moving them both to the east; the Sharks obtained (3) 2nd rounders, (1) 3rd rounder and (1) fifth rounder.

Prime example of selling for the right price

     Washington was in a buying mode looking for a winger for Ovechkin & Backstrom. In Nashville they were not in selling mode; but looking to add prospects if the right deal came around. The Caps acquired Martin Erat & Michael Latta in exchange for Filip Forsberg. 

     This year in Forsberg’s rookie season, the Swede has 48 points in 53 games and is considered one of the best young players in the NHL. Erat on the other hand went onto score TWO times in 63 games played with the Capitals before being moved to Arizona. 

Your scouts seen what in who?

    At the time Ottawa had three goalies; without question number one goalie Craig Anderson; top prospect Robin Lehner and a good quality backup in Ben Bishop; who was scheduled to be a UFA at years end. There was no point in hanging onto Bishop; & Tampa was looking for an upgrade in net. The Lightning acquired Bishop for a 4th rounder and a speedster in Cory Conacher. Bishop since has become one of the leagues top goalies. Conacher in 72 games with Ottawa scored 4 goals before being put on waivers.

How bad do you want to get rid of him? 

    In 2013 the Carolina Hurricanes wanted to get rid of Jussi Jokinen in a bad way. He went unclaimed off of waivers; and finally at the deadline; the Penguins did the Canes a favor. In exchange for a conditional 7th rounder; the Pens got Jokinen but it didn't stop there. The Canes also agreed to pay for 50% of his remaining salary. The following season Jokinen scores 21 times & gets 57 points for the Penguins