Welcome all again, this is hf101 with the eighth installment of the Trade Wars. We are coming near the end of our Blog Wars as the real trade deadline approaches. In real life some interesting trades have transpired with the Philadelphia Flyers in their desperate attempt to add defensive defencemen to their blue line in an attempt to make amends for previous acquisitions and bolster their team for the playoffs. So in just a few days the Flyers have acquired two unrestricted free agents in Grossman and Kubina and have traded away a second round pick, a third round pick, a fourth round pick a conditional second round pick and a prospect. OH MY.

Now to continue with our blog series. I have decided to accept three trades from the offers habsguy26 has offered to me in the last blog.

The accepted trades are as follows:

First Offer Accepted

The Carolina Hurricanes offer:

Tuomo Ruutu and Bryan Allen

To the Colorado Avalanche for

Joey Hishon, Cameron Gaunce and Tyson Barrie

This is a good trade for Colorado, they are acquiring two NHLers that will help the Avalanche secure a playoff spot with a quality 2-way forward in Ruutu, and in the 6’5” 226lb physical defensive defenseman, Allen who still has better than average speed and mobility. Although both players are UFA’s the Avalanche are comforable in their capspace to offer reasonable deals to retain their services next season. The Avalanche are trading away three prospects, all of which have drawbacks diminishing their potential for becoming NHL players. Joey Hishon was a first round pick in 2010. His small frame of 5’10 / 170lb has been a concern even though he has the skills to become to become a top 6 forward. Cameron Gaunce has the most upside imo, Has a big, strong body and likes to hit opponents. Can play sound defense and has shown the ability to put up a few points, however he is prone to take undisciplined penalties. Tyson Barrie Lacks ideal size for the blue-line position at the NHL level, although he has some offensive ability and a good point shot.

Second Offer Accepted

The Ottawa Senators offer:

Filip Kuba

To the Anaheim Ducks for:

Jason Blake

Although I’m not quite understanding why the Senators would trade away a top pair d-man at this time, however he can only help the Ducks as they try to make a bid for the final playoffs spot. Kuba is a big savvy defenseman with decent overall skills. Thus I will accept this deal as the playoffs approach. Both players involved in this trade are FA come July. The Ducks will make every effort to sign Kuba prior to the deadline. Currently the Ducks are on a winning streak and have a legitimate chance of catching the struggling 4-5 teams ahead of them. The departure of Jason Blake can be addressed by calling up Kyle Palmieri. Palmieri is an exciting speedy young forward who plays both center and wing and will provide the Ducks with some energy.

Third Offer Accepted

The Washington Capitals offer:

Jeff Schultz, Mike Knuble, Braden Holtby, and a 2012 1st round pick (Colorado)

To the Edmonton Oilers for

Ales Hemsky, Magnus Paargarvi-Svensson and Cam Barker

To be honest I am very perplexed by this trade offer as to why the Capitals would trade away their potential number one goaltending starter in Braden Holtby, a young quality defensman in Schultz, and a number one pick in the 2012 draft for an injury prone inconsistent defenseman, an injury prone, defensively poor, but talented Alex Hemsky, who btw will be a FA this July. Thus I cannot and will not resist this deal. The Oilers do trade away a young talented but inconsistent forward in Magnus Paargarvi-Svensson, but the upside to this deal moving forward to next season and the depth the Oilers posses at the forward position can easily replace Paargarvi on the roster.

As I look forward to next season. Holtby will find himself in a spot to play with the Oilers next season. He has played remarkably well in call-ups over the last two seasons with the Capitals. Schultz s a defenseman with good size and reach and is capable of playing a ton of minutes in all game situations while keeping things simple in the defensive zone. He will fit in well and get tons of minutes in the defensive core.

Of the trades habsguy26 proposed I have decided to decline the following offer:

Declined Offer

The New Jersey Devils offer:

Vladimir Zharkov and a 2012 4th round pick

to The Dallas Stars for

Sheldon Souray

Now that Dallas traded away Grossman to the Flyers, they can’t afford to lose another NHL defenseman off the roster without sacrificing their chanced for a playoff bid, especially Souray who has a massive shot from the point. Thus I have a different deal to offer later in the blog.

I have also proposed counter offers for the following two trades offers proposed by habsguy26

The Original offer by hf101 was declined in the previous blog by habsguy and he proposed the following counter offer.

1. Habsguy's Offer

Boston Bruins offer:

Jamie Arniel and a 2012 3rd round pick

to The Phoenix Coyotes for

Ray Whitney and a conditional 2012 2nd round pick (if Phoenix makes the playoffs)

However I did not like the offer proposed. Why would Phoenix give an extra pick away if they make the playoffs? They are selling one of their top forwards who is having a great year as he is on pace for 74 points. If the Bruins want Whitney to help their offensive struggles now that Horton is out, they are the buyers.

Thus I will make a new Counter Offer:

The Phoenix Coyotes offer:

Ray Whitney

To the Boston Bruins for

Jared Knight

The Bruins are looking to repeat this year as Stanley Cup Champs, they are struggling as of late and are in need of an offensive forward now that Horton is on the IR. But it will cost them their second round pick from 2010, Jared Knight. The Coyotes are looking to receive in trade a forward who has a reasonable chance of making the team next season. Knight who is having an excellent season this year with the London Knights, however he still needs to fill out his 5’11 185lb frame.

2. Habsguy's Offer

The Montreal Canadiens offer:

Andrei Kostitsyn, Hal Gill, Yannick Weber and a 2012 2nd round pick

To the San Jose Sharks for

Jamie McGinn and Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Since Gill is now a Nashville Predator this deal is cancelled and I will make a new offer for Kostitsyn.

Thus I will make a new Counter Offer:

The San Jose Sharks offer:

Brandon Mashinter and a third round pick

To the Montreal Canadiens for

Andrei Kostitsyn

After the Canadiens traded away Gill is appears as if the Canadiens have become sellers as we approach the trade deadline. There has been some recent news that the Canadiens are looking to trade Andrei Kositisyn. Kosititsyn is a disgruntled top 6 winger who struggles with inconsistency and will be a free agent this summer.. A change of location and a new coach may spark the forward into a streak where he can help provide some scoring for the Sharks as they approach the playoffs. Thus the Sharks are offering Brandon Mashinter and a third round pick in the 2012 draft. The 6’4” Mashinter is a physical player that can intimidate opponents, while possesing some offensive upside. The last two seasons in the AHL Mashinter has put up over 30 points.

We currently have eleven trade offers accepted and two counter offers on the table. To complete the makings of the required fifteen trades I have proposed the final two offers as follows.

First Trade Offer:

The Dallas Stars offer:

Radek Dvorak and Brett Richie

To the New Jersey Devils for:

Dainius Zubrus

The Stars are looking to bolster their team down the middle due to the injured Morrow. I believe Zubrus would be a nice fit for the Stars adding some size and forward versatility in a player who can play on the PP and PK. The Devils will be looking to shed some salary as well next season thus trading Zubrus now will aid in that process. With Zajac returning to the lineup the Devils can afford to move Zubrus. The Devils in return will acquire the very speedy playmaking Radek Dvorak who has terrific penalty killing skills and is an offensive threat when shorthanded. They will also receive the Stars 2011 second round pick Brett Ritchie. Ritchie is a big winger that moves well and has very good offensive instincts. Can use his body effectively when he has the puck on his stick. Has a good shot that can sneak up on goaltenders.

Second Trade Offer:

The St Louis Blues offer:

Kris Russel and Jori Lehtera

To the New York Islanders for:

Milan Jurcina

As the Blues move to gearing up their team for the playoffs they will to upgrade their team with a good sized defensive defenseman. They have found that in Milan Jurcina. Although sometimes inconsistent, 6’4” 253lb defenseman has a wicked shot from the point. The Blues have a surplus of mobile offensive defensemen and offer Kris Russel to the Islanders. Russell is a talented offensive mobile defensman who is slightly undersized but is gritty and has a lot of confidence with the puck. The Islanders will also acquire Jori Lehtera who was the Blues third round pick in 2008 and is ready to make the jump to the NHL as he is currently under contract in a two year entry level deal. The 24yr old Lehtera put up 69 pts in 57 games last season in Finland and is currently playing in the KHL.

Well that completes the eighth blog in the series. In summary there are eleven complete trades with four offers on the table. We are on target to complete the required 15 trades by the trade deadline. Once all15 trades are complete we will each write one final blog expressing how we view we did summarizing our deals. Then we will allow our readers to make one final vote on the winner of HockeyForums' 2012 edition of Trade Wars.

Again we appreciate your comments and make sure you VOTE.