SB Nation Denver - Colorado Decides To Keep John-Michael Liles As NHL Trade Deadline Passes https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2011-02-28T13:32:05-07:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17698092011-02-28T13:32:05-07:002011-02-28T13:32:05-07:00Colorado Avalanche Keep John-Michael Liles As NHL Trade Deadline Passes
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<p>Despite rumors flying at the <span class="caps">NHL</span> Trade Deadline, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> have decided to keep defenseman <span>John-Michael Liles</span> as the deadline passes without any further action from Colorado.</p>
<p>False reports had Liles, 30, heading to either the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Nashville Predators</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a>, or the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a>. As more and more trades were announced, no more mentioned Liles as a possible target. The defenseman will stay in Colorado through at least the end of the season.</p>
<p>A Liles trade would have been complicated by the Avalanche hovering near the salary floor, therefore any trade would have required a similar salary to be achieved in return. Avalanche GM Greg Sherman didn’t receive a suitable offer in return for Liles’ services, and he will continue to anchor Colorado’s power play and defensive corps. With the recent addition of <span>Erik Johnson</span>, Liles still holds significant value as a power play quarterback.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/2/28/2021019/colorado-avalanche-keep-john-michael-liles-as-nhl-trade-deadlineMuzia2011-02-28T12:38:03-07:002011-02-28T12:38:03-07:00Los Angeles Kings Acquire Dustin Penner From Edmonton Oilers
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a> have made a splash, acquiring forward <span>Dustin Penner</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> in <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/42305092103307264" target="new">exchange for a first round pick, second round pick</a>, and defenseman <span>Colten Teubert</span>.</p>
<p>Penner, 28, has scored at least 20+ goals in four of the past five seasons and gives the Kings a high caliber goal scorer to pair up with <span><span>Anze Kopitar</span></span>. Penner has had a down year for the cellar-dwelling Edmonton Oilers, but could be a difference maker down the stretch for the Kings. Los Angeles also absorbs Penner’s $4.5 million contract for next season as well.</p>
<p>Edmonton not only dumps Penner’s contract, but they also acquire Teubert, 20, a young defenseman prospect with plenty of upside. Teubert has 10 points for the <span class="caps">AHL</span> Manchester Monarchs this season and should make his way on the Edmonton roster shortly. He helps the young Oilers get even younger, and gives them some cap flexibility for this offseason to accelerate their rebuild.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/2/28/2020858/los-angeles-kings-dustin-penner-edmonton-oilersMuzia2011-02-28T12:12:19-07:002011-02-28T12:12:19-07:00Chicago Acquires Defenseman Campoli From Ottawa For Potulny
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a> have finally acquired the defenseman they were seeking, sending forward <span>Ryan Potulny</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a> in exchange for <span>Chris Campoli</span>.</p>
<p>Potulny, 26, had a breakout season for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> last season, with 32 points in 64 games. He was signed by the Blackhawks this offseason as offensive depth, but has only played in three games this season for Chicago.</p>
<p>Campoli, 26, has been one of the most consistent defensive players for last-place Ottawa this season. He should add depth to a Chicago team that is struggling to stay in the Western Conference playoff picture.</p>
<p>The two teams also exchanged conditional second round picks in the upcoming draft.</p>
<p>With Campoli heading to Chicago, it appears that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> defenseman <span>Matt Hunwick</span> will remain in Colorado. Hunwick had been rumored as one of Chicago’s top trade targets, but there appears to be no more room for him in the Windy City.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/2/28/2020790/chicago-acquires-defenseman-campoli-from-ottawa-for-potulnyMuzia2011-02-28T11:51:05-07:002011-02-28T11:51:05-07:00Phoenix Sends Upshall, Lepisto To Columbus For Klesla
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/phoenix-coyotes">Phoenix Coyotes</a> have sent fan favorite forward <span>Scottie Upshall</span> and defenseman <span>Sami Lepisto</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> in exchange for defenseman <span>Rostislav Klesla</span>.</p>
<p>In this deal, the two clubs swap defensemen while Columbus acquires some offensive depth in Upshall. The contracts are essentially a cap-neutral trade, as both sides of the transaction total around $3 million, though Phoenix acquires three more full seasons of Klesla.</p>
<p>This trade still leaves open the possibility of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> defenseman <span>John-Michael Liles</span> to the Columbus Blue Jackets, as rumored. Lepisto doesn’t have the offensive upside that Liles possesses, and the Blue Jackets have plenty of cap space to acquire the $4.2 million contract Liles is owed this year and in 2011-2012.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/2/28/2020746/phoenix-sends-upshall-lepisto-to-columbus-for-kleslaMuzia2011-02-28T11:33:08-07:002011-02-28T11:33:08-07:00Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche End Liles Trade Talks
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<p>The long-standing rumored trade talks between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> for Avalanche defenseman <span>John-Michael Liles</span> have apparently dissolved.</p>
<p>Toronto GM Brian Burke reportedly offered Colorado GM Greg Sherman <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Aportzline/status/42226940458827777" target="new">a third round selection</a> in the upcoming 2011 <span class="caps">NHL</span> Entry Draft in exchange for Liles, the 30-year-old defenseman enjoying one of the best seasons of his career.</p>
<p>In an active market for <span class="caps">NHL</span> defensemen, a third round selection is a very low bid for Liles, a proven player with substantial offensive ability. Several players have been dealt for a first round selection and a proven <span class="caps">NHL</span> player this deadline, and Liles’ ability would require a similar offer.</p>
<p>These rumors show that Burke was never really serious about acquiring Liles, though <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/allanetmanski/status/42244988855255040" target="new">multiple other teams reportedly have been interested,</a> including the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Columbus Blue Jackets</a>.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/2/28/2020696/toronto-maple-leafs-colorado-avalanche-end-liles-trade-talksMuzia2011-02-25T09:26:20-07:002011-02-25T09:26:20-07:00Several Avalanche Defensemen Targeted Before NHL Deadline
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<p><span>John-Michael Liles</span> isn’t the only <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> defensemen being targeted before the <span class="caps">NHL</span> trade deadline. Reports are placing <span>Matt Hunwick</span> and captain <span>Adam Foote</span> as possible targets for playoff teams.</p>
<p>Matt Hunwick is a <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NHLSourcesSay/status/41164885698166784" target="new">surprising name on this list</a>. Acquired by the Avalanche in November from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Boston Bruins</a> in exchange for prospect <span>Colby Cohen</span>, Hunwick has had his struggles in an Avalanche sweater. But his play has improved recently, and a quick, puck-moving defenseman is a hot trade target this season. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a> are said to be very interested in Hunwick, as they try to improve their squad into playoff contention before the deadline.</p>
<p>Captain Adam Foote is not a surprise, however. The veteran is in the last year of his contract and all signs point toward this being his last <span class="caps">NHL</span> season. Injuries have caught up with Foote, limiting his play this season. Still, he is more than capable of adding defensive depth to a contending team such as te <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a>, who <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Avalanche_news/status/40997928541757440" target="new">have said to be interested in acquiring his services.<br>
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Both Hunwick and Foote are free agents at the end of this season, so their services would be nothing more than rentals to contending clubs. If they are traded, you can expect the return to be nothing more than a mid-level draft pick or a fringe prospect. But since the Avalanche are at the salary floor, there would also have to be a player sent to Colorado with a similar 2011 cap hit.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/2/25/2014868/avalanche-defensemen-targeted-rumor-nhl-deadlineMuzia2011-02-24T15:55:16-07:002011-02-24T15:55:16-07:00Panthers Trade Stillman To Carolina For Ryan Carter
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<p>Two Southeast Division <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/DarrenDreger/status/40903740676378624" target="new">teams have completed a trade</a>, with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a> sending veteran forward <span>Cory Stillman</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Carolina Hurricanes</a> in exchange for center <span>Ryan Carter</span> and a fifth round selection in the 2011 <span class="caps">NHL</span> Entry Draft.</p>
<p>The Florida Panthers are completely out of the playoff picture this season, and have given longtime veteran Stillman, 37, a chance at a playoff run with the Hurricanes. Stillman is still a productive player and should give Carolina some offensive depth entering the playoffs. He is in the final year of his contract, becoming a free agent at the end of the season.</p>
<p>In exchange, the Canes sent Ryan Carter to Florida. Carter started the season as a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.anaheimcalling.com/">Anaheim Ducks</a>. In 32 games with Carolina, Carter has tallied only three assists.</p>
<p>This is Stillman’s second run with Carolina. He was a key member of their 2006 Stanley Cup Champion team, and previously won the Cup in 2004 with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a>.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/2/24/2013553/panthers-trade-stillman-to-carolina-for-ryan-carterMuzia2011-02-24T12:24:35-07:002011-02-24T12:24:35-07:00Montreal Acquires Sopel, Dawes From Sinking Atlanta Thrashers
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<p><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/TSNBobMcKenzie/status/40846994729742336" target="new">Another trade is in the books</a> on this very busy Thursday, just three full days before the <span class="caps">NHL</span> Trade Deadline.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/atlanta-thrashers">Atlanta Thrashers</a>, fading from the Eastern Conference playoff hunt, have traded defenseman <span>Brent Sopel</span> and forward <span>Nigel Dawes</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Montreal Canadiens</a> in exchange for <span class="caps">AHL</span> forward <span>Ben Maxwell</span> and a fourth round selection in the 2011 <span class="caps">NHL</span> Entry Draft.</p>
<p>Atlanta gets a promising young forward that could immediately slide onto their active roster. At 22, Maxwell has 39 points in 47 games for <span class="caps">AHL</span> Hamilton. They also get a fourth round selection in the upcoming draft. As one of the young surprises earlier this season, Atlanta has high hopes for next season. This trade should give them a couple more assets to complete their path towards contention.</p>
<p>Montreal acquires defenseman Brent Sopel for the playoff stretch run. The 34 year old veteran defenseman is +7 for the season and should add some defensive stability behind the fast Canadiens forwards. His $2.33 million contract expires at the end of the season, making him a reasonably priced rental for Montreal. They also acquired 26 year old forward Nigel Dawes, who is currently playing for <span class="caps">AHL</span> Chicago. Dawes will also become a free agent at the end of the season. He gives them good forward depth for a playoff run, in case of injury to one of their active forwards.</p>
<p>These two acquisitions essentially use up most of Montreal's remaining cap space. With Dawes in the minors, the Canadiens should have <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/capgeek/status/40860378229522432">$1.835 million cap hit remaining</a>, giving them some room to add another mid-level piece. They may not be done trading before the deadline.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-avalanche/2011/2/24/2013014/montreal-acquires-sopel-dawes-from-sinking-atlanta-thrashersMuzia