Deadline Day Looms.....

The NHL trade deadline is rapidly approaching and a few teams have already got things started.
 
Last week Ottawa acquired Mike Comrie (again) and Chris Campoli from the Islanders - who undoubtedly were massively disappointed to be leaving such a well supported franchise - for San Jose's 1st Round pick and Dean McAmmond.  It is actually a very good trade for Ottawa.  Despite lots of protest about re-acquiring Comrie, a potential UFA, he helps solve the secondary scoring problem in Ottawa and the word is Murray and Comrie are already discussing a new contract.  Campoli brings some much needed mobility on defence and has a super cheap contract for next season, giving Murray extra cap space to work with.  It also turns Ottawa into the hot bed of Celebrity gossip.  Comrie dates Hilary Duff and Mike Fisher is currently dating Carrie Underwood.  Has Sean Avery dated either of them?
 
Today, Pittsburgh shipped out Ryan Whitney to Anaheim for Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangredi.  Whitney's arrival puts Pronger and Niedermayer's futures in doubt.  I expect one of them to be traded before the deadline.  My money is of Niedermayer returning to the swamp in New Jersey.  The move does not free up a ton of cap space for the Penguins - so I expect someone like Ruslan Fedotenko or Miro Satan to be traded as well for a draft pick.
 
It will be most interesting to see what teams like Montreal, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and the Rangers do.  All 4 of them are still in the playoffs or in the hunt - but have all struggled lately.  Buffalo has lost Ryan Miller for an extended period of time and need help in the goaltending department.  Enter Martin Gerber - who was placed on re-entry waivers today by Ottawa.  Gerber and Lalime as a tandem?  There are lots of Senators fans chuckling right about now.  I have a feeling Bob Gainey is going to do something big.  Could Lecevalier really get traded to Montreal?  That would be a blockbuster deal to say the very least.  Pittsburgh got a little scoring help today with the addition of Kunitz - but lost some scoring on defence.  I'm not really sure what Pittsburgh can offer to teams at this point, Ray Shero has made a few questionable moves in my opinion in the past and since he got burned on the Hossa trade (Hossa not re-signing) he might be hesitant to make a big impact move again.  The Rangers need scoring badly...I expect them to be shopping Gomez. 
 
What is going to happen with Jay Bouwmeester?  Florida is playing well and are currently in a playoff spot.  Surely if they trade Jay-Bo they will need roster players who can step in and fill the void now - not later.  That being said - I can see them not trading him and moving him to a team before free agency.
 
Trade deadline is always one of the most exciting days for a hockey fan and I expect this one to be no different.
 
Enjoy!