And so the drama begins

It appears that after a both great and horrifying weekend in hockey, the first move in the dramatic spectacle that is the trade deadline. Best wishes to both Richard Zednik and Pat Dappuzzo who both suffered horrific injuries this weekend. Richard Zednik had an artery severed in his neck when his teammate's skate accidentally came up and clipped him while Dappuzzo, a veteran linesman, was struck in the face with a skate when Steve Downie was hit along the boards. Speedy recovery to both.

On to other hockey related matters, the first significant trade of the season has occured. According to TSN, the Ottawa Senators have sent 23 year old Patrick Eaves, a young player with tremendous potential, and Joe Corvo, an offensive defensemen, to the Carolina Hurricanses for Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore. Stillman had a tremendous start to the year but cooled off recently and now has 46 points in 55 games, including 21 goals. Mike Commodore is the prototypical stay-at-home, in-your-face defenseman that every playoff team needs. In fact, he was one of the unsung heroes in Carolina's run to the cup. Does this mean that Carolina is already throwing in the towel? I'm not really certain. Stillman is a good player and he's better, right now, than Eaves though Eaves' upside is significantly higher considering his age. The Sens add second line scoring, something they desperately need, and a physical presence that is crucial. Corvo can move the puck well, but often costs his team defensively but the Canes lack a defenseman of Corvo's style so he may be a good fit. Corvo has two years left on his deal that pays $2.75 million per year and Eaves will be a restricted free agent this off-season after making $942,000 this year. Commodore makes $1.3 million this season while Stillman is a bargain at $1.75 million, though both will be unrestricted free agents in the off-season.