Dustin Penner is the newest member of the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings, who are fifth in the Western Conference standings with 74 points, are my pick for biggest acquisition. Penner is a legitimate goal scorer with 32 this season and 105 in 343 NHL games.
This was the biggest deal on a rare slow last day for the NHL trade deadline. The Kings are 8 points behind the division-leading Sharks and are ready to make a push. Los Angeles gave up prospect Colton Teubert and draft picks in 2011 and 2012.
The Devils parted ways with Jason Arnott, who went to the Capitals for David Steckel. Steckel is the No. 1 enemy around Pittsburgh for being primarly responsible for Sidney Crosby's absence in the Penguins' lineup. He will fit right in with New Jersey.
I don't think the deal helps the Capitals too much. They need some good blue liners if they want to take that next step.
Pittsburgh didn't do anything, which is fine. I like the additions of Neal, Niskanen and Kovalev.
Don't underestimate the addition of Arnott to the Washington Capitals. If his presence at Center can stablize their 2nd line, that will be a big step forward for the team. Marco Sturm is another solid addition they made of the waiver wire. The Dennis Wideman pickup is the one that puzzles me a bit. They needed a solid, stay-at_home type defensemen, instead they picked up another puck mover who is a career -38 in plus/minus. Its not quite the big shakeup that I thought the Caps needed, but lets give them some time to see how the new additions fit into their puzzle.
ReplyDeletePenner is a great pickup for the LA, but came at a very costly price in terms of high draft picks. For his sake and the Kings I hope he produces for them right away in the brutally tight race for the Pacific division title.