MONTREAL GAZETTE
Some big moves were made by the Canadiens on Deadline Day
March 21st, 1996
The NHL Trade Deadline has ended and teams can no longer make any trades until the offseason. Here's a recap of everything that went down and some analysis for the major trades
Major Trades
New Jersey Devils Acquire
Adam Oates C, 33
1996 2nd Round Draft Pick
Devils Analysis
The Devils really go all in to try and become the next repeat champion since the Penguins in '91 and '92. The add Adam Oates to a already loaded roster and it's hard to argue he isn't a good addition. He's one of the best passers in the game and is still a point a game player (68 points in 63 games) at the age of 33. Oates will become the Devils new #1 center and get to work with John MacLean who has 34 goals this season which leads the team. It adds a big offensive player to a team that is one of the best defensively. Losing Patrik Elias will sting down the road but when you have a championship calibre team you have to go for the Cup every chance you can get.
Boston Bruins Acquire
Patrik Elias LW, 19
1996 4th Round Draft Pick
Bruins Analysis
Boston is currently 4th in the Northeast divison and still had a chance of making the playoffs, but it would have probably resulted in a first round exit. Instead GM Harry Sinden decided to gain assets for veteran Oates. They got what looks like a future 1st line playmaker in Patrik Elias which will be huge for them when he reaches his potential. However this does leave their star defenseman Ray Bourque on an island in Boston. He's still one of the best in the NHL but has no other star players to work with. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the five time Norris winner.
Montreal Canadiens Acquire
Craig Janney C, 28
Kevin Miller C/RW, 30
Igor Larionov C/RW, 35
Canadiens Analysis
The Canadiens make a huge splash as they get three different forwards, the biggest being Craig Janney who has 65 points this season with the Capitals. It's an interesting trade in that we'll have to see what kind of line combinations Coach/GM Martin decide to go with now that they have a big three down the middle of Turgeon, Koivu and now Janney. Also added was Kevin Miller who is a competent defensive center who could find himself on the wing with Montreal's depth down the middle. Larionov could see some minutes in a limited offensive role and could rekindle some chemistry with former teammate Sergei Makarov. It will be fun to see what the Canadiens do with these additions
San Jose Sharks Acquire
Darcy Tucker F, 20
Benoit Brunet LW, 27
Craig Conroy C, 24
1997 3rd Round Draft Pick
Sharks Analysis
The Sharks move on from their first line center in Craig Janney who's contract expires after this season and made it clear he would not be returning to San Jose. They also move Miller and Larionov who they had been trying to do for the past few weeks. In return they get some young players in Darcy Tucker and Craig Conroy who could become some key players for them in the future. They also get basically a younger version of Miller in Brunet. The 27 year old has 16 goals this season in a very limited role on the Habs so it remains to be seen what he could do with more minutes in San Jose.
Washington Capitals Acquire
Derek King LW, 29
Capitals Analysis
Very questionable trade by the Capitals as they acquire career long Islander Derek King who will replace Juneau as the first line left winger. It's not that King is a bad player but they give up the 17th pick from the 1995 Draft in Jason Allison. Yes the Capitals are currently in a playoff spot but the likelihood that they even make it past round one is low. They now lose a potential 1st line center in exchange for a 29 year old left wing that will help their team in the now but is that really what they want? Not a fan of this trade by General Manager David Poile
New York Islanders Acquire
Jason Allison C, 20
Martin Gendron RW, 22
Islanders Analysis
The Islanders are one spot ahead of the Capitals in the Atlantic Divison and in the Eastern Conference. They realized that the potential of getting a guy like Jason Allison was greater then trying (and likely failing) to win a round of playoff hockey. While it was probably hard to see a guy like Derek King leave the team it was the right decision. Allison is looking like a future second or even first line center so in the long run the Islanders take the W in this transaction.
Other Trades
Tampa Bay Lightning Acquire
Dan McGillis D, 23
Detroit Red Wings Acquire
Pat Elynuik RW, 28
Allan Egeland C, 23
Buffalo Sabres Acquire
Greg Gilbert RW, 34
St. Louis Blues Acquire
Brent Hughes LW, 29
Montreal Canadiens Acquire
Bob Corkum C, 31
Bobby Dallas D, 28
Anaheim Mighty Ducks Acquire
Craig Rivet D, 21
Sebastien Bordeleau C, 21
Buffalo Sabres Acquire
Mark Tinordi D, 29
Washington Capitals Acquire
Charlie Huddy D, 36