Trade Deadline Madness...Hopefully

Now that the Sens and 'Canes have finally kicked the tires on this season's trade deadline, it's time to take a look around the league and examine who could be changing their zip-code and who could be looking to enlist their services. Throughout the next two weeks, we'll examine the possible deals and situations that have been created by the February 26th trade dealine.

1. Marian Hossa, Atlanta Thrashers

Unless Thrashers GM Don Waddell can negotiate a deal that Hossa is willing to accept in two-and-a-half weeks, Hossa will likely end up being the best and most productive trade deadline rent-a-player in NHL history. Atlanta's particular situation is uniquely tricky in comparison with most teams that would be considered sellers due to the fact that the Thrashers will be pushing for a playoff spot all the way to the bitter end of the regular season. In fact, Atlanta could very well end up as the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture considering they are fighting with every Southeast Division team for the division lead. Atlanta could choose to take their chances if they do not re-sign Hossa before February 26th, keeping him around for the playoff push with hopes of successfully negotiating with him during the summer.

Moving Hossa simply makes more sense if negotiations fail before the deadline though. In the case that the Thrashers do make the playoffs with Hossa in their lineup, it would surprise many if the Thrashers make it out of the first round of the playoffs. The team would benefit much more from receiving quality players that would add more depth up front and on the Thrashers' blueline over the next 3-5 years.

Thus far, the teams that seem to have a legitimate shot at landing Hossa are Detroit, Anaheim, and San Jose. Though I don't personally put much stock in reports that San Jose is actively looking to move Patrick Marleau largely due to his contract, the Sharks could attempt to move their captain for Hossa, who would theoretically be a perfect fit in San Jose. The ink just dried on Marleau's signature to a contract extension and the Thrashers would finally receive the first line center they have been starved for ever since they entered the league. Throw in a defensive prospect and, on paper, you have a deal that makes sense. The possibility of Marleau continuing the slide he is currently on could squash this deal before it is even discussed by the men that matter though.

In Anaheim, GM Brian Burke is a huge fan of players that display the typical characteristics of the "Canadian style" of play. Burke also tends to shy away from any player that he isn't guaranteed to have under contract beyond the current season, unless he can do so without subtracting from his hockey club. And believe you me, any team acquiring Hossa will have to, in some for or fashion, subtract from their hockey club. Though it's likely that every team has inquired about the availability of Anaheim's first-round pick for this year's draft, obtained from the Edmonton Oilers as compensation for Dustin Penner, the Ducks would not be willing to part with the pick unless they can acquire a player that would help them now and for the long term. Beyond the first round pick, the Ducks have a plethora of young talent at their disposal, many of which could be had at the right price under the right conditions. However,unless Burke has a guarantee that he can sign Hossa to a new deal, he will likely look elsewhere or stand pat at the trade deadline.

The Detroit Red Wings may be the team that has the best chance of landing Hossa as a rental player. By way of a great scouting staff, the Wings have managed to maintain a consistent amount of depth within their club without having high draft picks over the past decade. Players such as Jiri Hudler would likely flourish on another team's second line, yet Hudler has spent most of the season on Detroit's fourth line or in the press box. Any deal involving the Red Wings will likely involve Hudler, and in the case of the Thrashers dealing Hossa names such as Brett Lebda or Derek Meech may be thrown into the mix. The probability that Atlanta would get a better deal for Hossa is highly likely though, so the Red Wings may have to make up the ante if they truly want to add Hossa for a Cup run.

Any way the Hossa opera finishes, the saga definitely won't take on the resemblance of the Ryan Smyth deal of last year, with one team ending up with nothing by summer's end and another team receiving less than the player is worth.