Winners and losers

TIM WHARNSBY

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

February 26, 2008 at 8:54 PM EST

Dallas Stars The Stars, 31-15-1 since co-general managers Les Jackson and Brett Hull took over in November, were the clear winners on NHL trade deadline day as they acquired the best player available, Brad Richards. Marian Hossa can put up more points, but Richards is a character guy and proven playoff performer.

Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke learned a valuable lesson at the trade deadline last year, when he made only one move, acquiring Brad May. His transactions were of the similar variety yesterday, adding Marc-André Bergeron and J.S. Aubin. Don't forget, the Stanley Cup champion Ducks basically have the same team, plus Mathieu Schneider and Todd Bertuzzi.

Pittsburgh Penguins Since Sidney Crosby suffered his ankle injury last month, Evgeni Malkin has matured into one of the game's top talents. Adding Marian Hossa simply adds to Pittsburgh's firepower. On the negative side, Colby Armstrong is a close friend of Crosby, and the Penguins will go only as far their goaltending and defence takes them.

San Jose Sharks If the Sharks want to challenge the Stars, Ducks and Detroit Red Wings and be considered among the best in the Western Conference, they needed to improve their offence (ranked 25th) and power play (20th). Landing Brian Campbell improves San Jose in these areas, but head coach Ron Wilson has to let freewheeling D-men roam.

Vancouver Canucks Over to you, Roberto Luongo. It's now up to the stingy goaltender to carry the Canucks to, and possibly in, the playoffs. With the rival Colorado Avalanche upgrading their lineup, and the Canucks losing out on Brad Richards and trading energy guy Matt Cooke to the Washington Capitals, Van City may have a hockey-less spring.

Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier received a good return in forward Steve Bernier and a first-round draft pick, but losing blueliner Brian Campbell because of a breakdown in contract talks doesn't aid Buffalo's cause in the playoff push. Chris Drury, Daniel Brière, Campbell … good thing goaltender Ryan Miller is under contract next year.

Ottawa Senators The sky is falling on the Senators. They have gone 14-13-3 in their past 30 games and being embarrassed 5-0 by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday was rock bottom. Forward Martin Lapointe will help in the grit department and in the dressing room, but an upgrade in goal was an essential need the Senators failed to fill.

Montreal Canadiens Maybe GM Bob Gainey whipped up the local fans into a frenzy when he said it was his goal to add an impact player before the deadline. But instead he subtracted No. 1 goalie Cristobal Huet, an unrestricted free agent in the summer, and now will put his faith in Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak in net.

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