Trades Headline NHL Draft

By Scott

Trades are the one thing that rescues the NHL Draft from total obscurity. The draft really turns into a difficult watch after the top 5 and your favorite team picks, but when names like Bouwmeester, Heatley and Kessel are lingering around trade rumors, the draft picks up plenty of intensity. Although Heatley and Kessel weren't moved (yet, anyway) defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Chris Pronger were moved, and both deals headlined the weekend.

Florida Panthers Interim GM Randy Sexton pulled off the impossible by sending the negotiating rights of defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to Calgary for defenseman Jordan Leopold and a 3rd round pick (Josh Birkholz). Obviously, there's no guarantee JayBo will sign an extension with the Flames, but they have 5 days to convince him to do so. Bouwmeester has openly expressed a desire to play in Western Canada, particularly for his hometown Edmonton Oilers. But you have to wonder if Calgary's serious talent will lure him in. Imagine Bouwmeester playing next to Dion Phaneuf or Robyn Regehr, plain scary. Calgary's offense is ready to win a cup, Bouwmeester is the missing piece.

As for the Panthers, they just traded a ghost for a serviceable defenseman and a draft pick. Jordan Leopold isn't a top-4 defenseman, but expect the Panthers to try and sign him to add some much needed defensive depth. Calgary is going to be under ton of pressure to sign Bouwmeester, and if he's smart, JayBo will be putting on a red and black sweater come October.

Before the Panthers and Flames pulled the trigger, the Flyers and Ducks did some business of their own. Anaheim sent defenseman Chris Pronger and prospect Ryan Dingle to Philly for forward Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, 1st round draft picks in 2010 and 2011, and a conditional third round pick in 2010 or 2011. The Flyers may have overpaid for a 35-year-old defenseman, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Philly tried desperately to land Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, but they appear to have settled with Pronger as the man who will lead a defense that struggled throughout the season. Philly is under huge pressure to compete for the cup this year, and Pronger might be the missing piece. If he doesn't pan out the Flyers will be in big trouble.

While Pronger drew all of the attention from the trade, the Ducks continue morphing into a sleeper pick for next season. Stockpiling another scoring threat in Joffrey Lupul gives Anaheim even more upside to a lineup already consisting of stud prospects Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, and Jonas Hiller.

There should be some movement before the start of free agency on Wednesday. Reports have a handful of teams inquiring about Detroit's Marian Hossa. Because of the massive contract Hossa will expect, his suitors will probably be limited to a large market. If the Rangers can't strike a deal for Danny Heatley, expect them to make a run at Hossa. As for Danny Heatley, Phil Kessel, and others, the possibilities are endless, and the next few days should bring about plenty of movement.