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the other press Sports march 19, 2003 http://otherpress.douglas.bc.ca HHL Teams load Up for Playoffs Jordan Cripps Sports Editor

Now that the madness of the NHL trade about rebuilding. Avery is a hotheaded agitator. Aren't these defense but don't do much for developing deadline is over, NHL teams have final- The "Why'd they do that?" Award goes attributes that could come in handy dur- an intimidating back line. ized their rosters for either the playoff run to the Oilers for trading ing the playoffs? As well, Detroit further I don't know exactly why, but I like the or, in the case ofJL few teams, the next sea- and Ales Pisa to New York mortgaged its future by giving up first moves Ottawa made. They've definitely son. I'd like to offer, for what it's worth, for Radek Dvorak and . I and second-round draft choices in the begun to build their nasty side, something my opinion about the deals that have been know Dvorak has had better seasons than deal. that will come in handy during the play- made, or not over the past week or two. Carter ever has, but those were three or As for teams that did well, I think the offs. Vaclav Varada is definitely a good First, there are a few teams that seem to four years ago. Basically, it seems like Flames have set themselves up addition although the opposition won't have decided to enter a rebuilding phase. Kevin Lowe is saying to his owners, nicely for the future. Getting rid of Rob think so. Bryan Smolinski is a versatile As expected, the were "We're going to make the playoffs so we're Niedermayer for two players with some two-way player who will see time at center busy getting rid of everyone that made guaranteed at least two extra home games. NHL experience was a good move. Trying and on the wing. The effect of adding Rob more than the average CFL salary. There Let's see what happens." Unfortunately, to get Dean McCammond back was also Ray won't be seen on the ice (unless some- are now only seven players with the team the upstart Nashville Predators are getting shrewd until the league realized the trade one tries to take out Daniel Alfredsson) that started the season there. At the same pretty close to putting an end to this the- couldn't happen. Although he's definitely but his presence in the dressing room time, I think the Penguins should be given ory. Getting Dvorak certainly doesn't not an All-Star, Shean Donovan will give should give the Senators a boost whenev- some credit for at least one trade, trading make the Oilers better and, probably, does the Flames a speed upgrade. All three er they're facing adversity. Jan Hrdina and others to Phoenix for the team more harm than good. I think trades resulted in the Flames losing only Finally, our home team wasn't exactly Ramzi Abid and others. Hrdina certainly that getting , who's from draft picks and fringe players. Of course, busy during the Trade Deadline, but per- has more than the 20+ games of experi- Edmonton, may prove to be a good trade all the Flames have, aside from their big haps that is the way to approach things. ence that Abid has gained over this season, in the long run but, as for this season, the three of Iginla, Conroy and Drury, are Although, the Canucks roster is becoming but for a team that is going to rebuild, it Oilers will miss Niinimaa. Even if they fringe players. more and more depleted every game, it is important to start with talented young make the playoffs, they're no longer a Doing his best Glen Sather impression, seems. Adding Brad May could have the players. Abid is just that. In his 31 games threat to upset anybody. ' Coach and General same effect as the Senators' addition of in the NHL, Abid has 10 goals to go along The Carter trade makes little sense for Manager tried to buy his way into a cham- Ray, the results won't be evident to people with 8 assists, solid numbers for a young the Rangers as well. On that particular pionship, acquiring some high-priced tal- watching the game, but will play an inte- player. On a team that is made up of jour- team Carter's relatively young, but he's ent while giving up Alyn McCauley and gral role in the dressing room. neymen and minor-leaguers, he may also due for a new contract this off-season. draft picks in making these changes. The Unfortunately, the Canucks will have to prove to be a solid addition in a year when As always, the Rangers will pay the player biggest change is, obviously, the addition wait and see just what kind of a presence the Penguins were looking to subtract. way more than he's worth and screw up of Owen Nolan. Nolan will give the Leafs May has since he suffered some sort of In a similar boat were the Buffalo the whole economic system of the NHL. another (as if they need it) physical pres- injury against the Maple Leafs. Sabres, who moved out pretty much While everyone seemed to think that ence up front. Unfortunately for the With all this said, I think the favourites everyone except the one player that had Detroit made a good acquisition getting Leafs, they'll have to wait for the reacqui- at the beginning of the season are still the asked to be traded, Alexei Zhirnik. Mathieu Schneider from LA, it seems that sition of Doug Gilmour to pay dividends, favourites. Ottawa will finish their regular Gratton for Briere is a decent trade Detroit doesn't have much of an eye on as he was hurt during his first game as a season strongly but won't get too far in the because the Sabres get younger and more the future. Schneider will help the team Leaf. The only concern with the Leafs is playoffs. Ditto for Toronto. Here, the skilled. Trading fan favourite Rob Ray and more this year than either Maxim that they've got so many players that play Canucks should be able to make it past Stu Barnes, and getting nothing in return, Kuznetsov or Sean Avery would have. with an edge that half of their team could the first round unless they face Colorado. are not the best ways to indicate to a However, Kuznetsov is a behemoth conceivably be suspended in one game. sparse fan base that the team is serious defenseman with a huge upside while Adding Housley and Wesley improve the

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