2008 Trade analysis - Good Bye Cam

Well the deadline has passed and the Devils have just made one move sending Cam Janssen to St Louis for Bryce Salvador. The trade was the first of a pretty slow day that ended in a blockbuster trade of Marian Hossa to the Penguins.

What we lose in Cam Janssen
Well we lose an energy guy. Cam was clearly a fan favorite with what he brought to the team. He has brought a lot of energy to the hockey club on the fourth line last year. Unfortunately he has missed all of this year due to a shoulder injury. What people have been arguing about concerning Cam was his lack of offensive production. His energy and presence made up for that in my opinion. I will miss his hits, his fights and his attitude. John Davidson knows what he is getting in Cam after seeing him a lot while he was still on MSG. Cam gets a chance to go to his hometown and he seems to be excited about this.

What do we get
In Bryce Salvador we get a veteran defenseman with decent size. His numbers are less than impressive on the offensive side but he has a physical game and a decent +/- with a +12.

We now have a lot of depth on the back line and what we apparently needed has not been adressed (offensive D-man and top 6 forward). We have to see what the situation will be on defense with White, Martin, Oduya, Mottau who seem to be our top 4. Salvador will probably fit in the top 6. Greene, Brookbank, Vishnevski, Rachunek are up for the remaining spot.

Do I like that trade?
I feel bad we lost Cam. I liked his energy and his attitude. I think the trade is good as we get a capable defenseman without disrupting the chemistry. Cam hasn't played this year. Cam must be happy he is heading to St Louis so it is almost a win win situation. I kind of hoped we would get a forward by shipping one of our extra D-man along with a pick or a prospect but Lou must be confident this team can get it done.

Around the league
Brian Campbell, one of the most sought after player was traded to San Jose.

One of the most shocking news for me was Cristobal Huet being traded to the Washington Capitals. According to various reports, the pick the Habs got was going to be used to try to get Hossa. Hossa ended up to the Penguins and the Habs lost their goaltender. They are going to rely on the young Carey Price and Halak to carry the team. Even though Huet had a rough February he was considered their number one goaltender. They are putting a lot of pressure on the shouders of a 20 year old. The Habs clearly didn't get better.

So the Capitals got Huet and they also got Fedorov and Matt Cooke and will try to battle with the Thrashers and Hurricanes for the Division title... the only way for a Southeast team to make the playoffs.

The sick trade that happened right at the deadline was the one that sent Hossa and Dupuis to the Penguins and Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a 1st Round Pick to Atlanta. Hossa was clearly the top prize of the trade but the winning team of that trade might not be the one you think. As a division rival the Penguins surely upgraded their team but the price is clearly too steep. The Penguins look like the team to beat now but that is a huge trade that will probably affect the chemistry and the depth of the team. We have two games remaining against the Penguins so we will see how we match up against them. I wouldn't mind seeing them in the Conference Finals and have Madden and Pandolfo frustrate Hossa like in 2003.

I am sure some Devils fans are disappointed right now and mad at Lou but the conference is so tight and the playoff race so close that any team can come out on top. And I am sure the Devils have a shot... as much as any other team.