6. Montreal Canadiens...B+
a. The Canadiens have been on a tear since acquiring Mathieu Schneider from Atlanta. Sure, it's not technically a deadline deal, but it's close enough. Don't look now, though (Montreal is losing 4-0 to Buffalo as I type this).
7. New Jersey Devils...B-
a. The Devils didn't even have to trade anybody away and they got Marty Brodeur. But seriously, the team brought up Niclas Havelid from Atlanta. Havelid doesn't have the best offensive skills, but he's smart defensively and won't take too many stupid penalties. In other words, he's the same as most of the other New Jersey defensemen.
8. New York Islanders...C+
a. The Islanders managed to get ship Bill Guerin to Pittsburgh for a draft pick. Greaaat.
b. Dean McAmmond came in from Ottawa for Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli. However, far more important than McAmmond is the 1st round pick he brought with him. Because this team needs everything it can get in this rebuilding phase.
9. New York Rangers...C+
a. General Manager Glen Sather seems to have screwed this team up so much its beyond repair. But he still tried. And that starts with the arrival of Derek Morris. Morris's contract expires after this season, but he's far better defensively than Wade Redden and Michal Rozsival. Lundqvist should be happy to have him.
b. Nik Antropov came from Toronto in return for a second round pick. Antropov is big (6'6") and has decent hands (46 points in 63 games). He won't be able to carry the offense, but he'll definitely be able to help out.
c. The infamous Sean Avery returned to NY when Sather picked him up off of waivers. We have yet to see how the NHL's premiere agitator will fare under new head coach John Tortorella.
10. Ottawa Senators...B
a. Pascal Leclaire won't be the savior in net this season. However, he's an upgrade over whatever they've got in there now, and he may be apart of this franchise for years to come. Assuming he can remove his injury-prone tag.
b. The Sens received center Mike Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli from the Islanders. Comrie is a decent second line center who'll help provide some needed secondary scoring. Meanwhile, Campoli still has the potential to become a threat from the point on the powerplay. Campoli is far more important long term.
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