2009 NHL Trade Deadline: The Rumors, Deals, and Analysis

The 2009 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting trade deadlines in a while. With several star players reported to be on the trade block, there are bound to be a ton of great deals today. This post will be constantly updated through 3PM EST with the latest deals and analysis.

9:56 AM EST
The Columbus Blue Jackets trade G Pascal Leclaire and a 2009 second round draft pick to the Ottawa Senators for C Antoine Vermette.

A great trade for both teams here. The Ottawa Senators are in desperate need of adding a goaltender, and they get a solid one in Pascal Leclaire. If he can stay healthy, he should play well for the Sens. Ottawa, in a rebuilding year, also add on another draft pick to their stable-they will be solid for years to come if they can utilize Leclaire and the draft pick well.

The Columbus Blue Jackets, in the midst of a playoff race, have added a solid second-line center with standout speed and skating ability. He should instantly become a top-six forward on the Columbus squad and will undoubtedly improve their offensive production.

11:39 AM EST
The Calgary Flames trade D Lawrence Nycholat, prospect D Ryan Wilson, and a second round draft pick (from the Montreal Canadiens) to the Colorado Avalanche for D Jordan Leopold.

The Flames got an incredible deal here. Nycholat was moved primarily for salary cap purposes, and Ryan Wilson is not among their top 20 prospects, according to hockeysfuture.com. The second round draft pick is the big piece in this deal, and it is not very much to give up for what could have been Colorado's top defenseman, Jordan Leopold. Calgary's blueline gets a significant upgrade, and they will seriously contend in the West after this trade.

Nycholat was just acquired off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks just one day ago. Ryan Wilson was a free agent prospect signing of the Flames. The second round draft pick that was traded was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in the trade for LW Alex Tanguay.

The Avalanche have been absolutely terrible this season, and trading Leopold does not improve their roster in the short term. Consider the Colorado Avalanche officially in rebuilding mode.

11:49 AM EST
The Pittsburgh Penguins trade D Danny Richmond to the St. Louis Blues for D Andy Wozniewski.

A minor deal for both teams, as they exchange AHL players. Neither player should make a major impact at the NHL level for the remainder of 2009.

12:04 PM EST
The Buffalo Sabres trade a 2010 fourth round draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes for G Mikael Tellqvist.

The Sabres acquire a solid backup goaltender in Tellqvist to back up starting G Ryan Miller, and they don't trade an awful lot to get him. Miller has been injured, so Tellqvist is solid insurance for him.

Meanwhile, the Coyotes open up some cap space to potentially swing another deal before 3PM EST. The draft pick will help, but fourth round picks will result in more developmental-type, mid range prospects.

I like the Sabres in this trade.

12:37 PM EST
The Anaheim Ducks trade D Steve Montador to the Boston Bruins for C Petteri Nokelainen.

The Boston Bruins got a solid defenseman from the Anaheim Ducks, in exchange for one of their young forwards in Petteri Nokelainen.

Though this is not a major trade, I do like this deal for the Boston Bruins, as they receive another pro-ready defenseman who is ready to contribute. He is a solid defenseman who should solidify the blue line.

12:40 PM EST
The Calgary Flames trade C Matthew Lombardi, LW Brandon Prust, and a first round draft pick (2009 or 2010-CAL choice) to the Phoenix Coyotes for C Olli Jokinen and a third round draft pick.

This is one of today's blockbuster trades, as one of the best centers in the league in Olli Jokinen gets traded to a contending team. The Calgary Flames paid a hefty price to get him, but they did not overpay. Jokinen has top-three forward skills, and he should compliment RW Jarome Iginla fantastic.

The Coyotes receive a solid center in return, as well as a talented younger player, and a top draft pick. The Coyotes are piling on the young talent, and look very solid for future years.

1:24 PM EST
The Boston Bruins trade D Matt Lashoff and RW Martins Karsums to the Tampa Bay Lightning for RW Mark Recchi and a 2010 second round draft pick.

The Boston Bruins keep on piling on the talent, acquiring veteran RW Mark Recchi from the Lightning. Recchi is an established right winger who will be a great locker room leader. The Lightning also trade a second round draft pick in 2010.

In exchange, the Tampa Bay Lightning have received a top D prospect in Matt Lashoff and a mid-range forward prospect in Martins Karsums. Lashoff should evolve into a stellar blue liner for the Lightning in future seasons. Essentially, the second round draft pick and RW Karsums seem awfully similar in value.

I like this trade for the Bruins. One of the youngest teams in the NHL, the Bruins will benefit greatly from the veteran presence Recchi will provide. In terms of value, it was a fairly even trade for both teams.

1:58 PM EST
The Pittsburgh Penguins trade a 2009 conditional draft pick to the New York Islanders for RW Bill Guerin.

Guerin is a great veteran add for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who get a reliable veteran goal scorer on the right side to assist Sidney Crosby.

The Islanders, in the midst of a massive rebuilding year, receive a guaranteed fifth round pick, which could turn into a fourth or third round pick, depending on how long the PIttsburgh Penguins last in the playoffs, if they make it.

Both teams make out well in this one.

2:45 PM EST
The Philadelphia Flyers trade RW Scottie Upshall and a second round draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for LW Daniel Carcillo.

2:47 PM EST
The New York Rangers trade a second round pick and conditional draft pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for RW Nikolai Antropov.

2:59 PM EST
The New York Rangers trade D Dmitri Kalinin, LW Nigel Dawes, and forward Petr Prucha to the Phoenix Coyotes for D Derek Morris.

3:07 PM EST
The Buffalo Sabres trade a second round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for C Dominic Moore.

3:08 PM EST
The Anaheim Ducks trade prospect Erik O'Dell to the Atlanta Thrashers for forward Erik Christensen.

Waiver Claims:
The Dallas Stars claim C Brendan Morrison.
The Toronto Maple Leafs claim G Martin Gerber and D Erik Reitz.
The Pittsburgh Penguins claim RW Craig Adams.