By Mike Casey
4:56 p.m. -- More deals
A few more trades have happened in the past hour. You can find all the info here.
4:20 p.m. -- Norstrom to Stars
We finally got wind of where Matty Norstrom is headed. Reportedly, the Dallas Stars. A couple more deals have been made, I'll get to them shortly.
4:14 p.m. -- Ryan Smyth trade analysis
At last check, the league was still approving the Islanders' trade for Edmonton captain Ryan Smyth. Let's just assume this thing gets through. Isles fans should be doing backflips right now, because the have just transformed from pretender to contender.
With good coaching (Ted Nolan), solid goaltending (Rick DiPietro), a much-improved offense (Smyth and Richard Zednik), the Islanders now have the firepower to move up in the standings and maybe win a couple of rounds in the playoffs.
Don't forget, Jason Blake is staying put. I chided Garth Snow earlier for hanging onto him -- but once he found out Smyth was available, I don't blame him for keeping Blake. When you have a chance to acquire a 31-goal winger, you don't offset that gain by dealing away your team's leading scorer.
Smyth has been one of the league's best pure goal scorers during his 12-year career. He's scored 30 goals or more four times. He's on the small side at 6-1, 190, and has had some injury problems because he doesn't shy away from contact in front of the net. But since the debut of the "new NHL," with more room for skating and smaller players, Smyth has posted 30 goals twice, including this year.
Have to move on to cover a few other deals, but I'll get back to this later. . .
4:03 p.m. -- Quickly, on Norstrom
Sorry I disappeared, but I had to update the rest of Newsday.com with the Ryan Smyth news. I'll provide some commentary on that deal in a sec, but first:
We've heard zippo on the Matty Norstrom front in the last hour or so. I'm still trying to find out what's going on with that.
3:33 p.m. -- Wow! Ryan Smyth to Islanders
Newsday's Greg Logan reports the Islanders have traded prospects Robert Nilsson and Ryan O'Marra, plus a first round draft pick to Edmonton for 31-goal scorer Ryan Smyth. Read Greg's blog for the details.
3:30 p.m. -- Bertuzzi trade official
This is from NHL.com:
Detroit will send a conditional pick – either a first-, second- or third-round selection – in this year’s draft and a conditional second-round pick in next year’s draft to obtain the services of Bertuzzi, who is just a year removed from being one of the most coveted players in the League.
Notably, there is no mention of Detroit including prospect Shawn Matthias in the deal, which had been reported earlier.
3:25 p.m. -- Scott Parker traded
Try not get too excited, but the Sharks have traded goon Scott Parker to Colorado for a draft pick. No offense, Scott! Moving on. . .
3:19 p.m. -- Norstrom traded?
TSN is now saying that Kings captain Matty Norstrom has been traded. I'm trying to find out to whom and for whom.
3:16 p.m. -- More Bertuzzi details
Reports linking Tood Bertuzzi to Detroit seem stronger than ever as more unconfirmed details of a trade emerge.
TSN says the prospect Detroit will give Florida in return for Bertuzzi is center Shawn Matthias, a second-round draft pick in 2006.
3:03 p.m. -- Deadline passes, looks like Blake is staying
Newsday's Greg Logan checks in with another blog on Jason Blake. Here's an excerpt:
"When St. Louis traded Bill Guerin to San Jose earlier this afternoon, that was the strongest indication that the Islanders’ leading scorer wouldn’t be going anywhere. The Sharks were said to be the leading bidder for Blake last night, and they obviously have spent their ammunition, dealing both first-round picks they had in this year’s draft in deals for Guerin and Montreal defenseman Craig Rivet, as well as young defenseman Josh Gorges to the Canadiens."
It's hard to know whether or not the Islanders really intended to trade Blake or not, but if they did (and they should have), this is a misstep by general manager Garth Snow. San Jose's first choice may have been Bill Guerin all along, and maybe Bertuzzi was Detroit's first choice.
But now the Islanders will have to take their chances with a player who probably won't be back in the offseason, is mired in a bad scoring slump and just spent the past 24 hours in limbo since no one from Islanders apparently told him what was going on.
Not good. It will be interesting to see how the team reacts. Will they bond together now that Blake seems to be staying put? In the short term, it's nothing but a good thing for the Isles, who will certainly need Blake down the stretch run in the Eastern Conference. But saving him just for 20 more games plus maybe five or six in the playoffs? It doesn't make sense to me.
2:57 p.m. -- Vital Timo Helbling news
A little comic relief here: Defenseman Timo Helbling, just so you know, is the minor-leaguer headed to Buffalo in the Dainius Zubrus deal we blogged on earlier.
2:55 p.m. -- Yanic Perrault to Toronto
Phoenix has reportedly traded face-off wizard Yanic Perrault to the Maple Leafs for young defenseman Brendan Bell and a second-round draft pick.
Perrault, 35, has made a career out of his extraordinary prowess at winning draws, which certainly comes in handy for a team needing an extra boost in the playoffs. Since the league began keeping faceoff statistics in 1998-999, he's won 60 percent or more of his faceoffs in every season but one. This year, he's 62.6 percent on draws.
2:47 p.m. -- Zubrus to Buffalo
They deals are pouring in now, about as hard as the rain outside. The Washington Capitals have reportedly traded RW Dainius Zubrus and a minor-leaguer to Buffalo for forward Jiri Novotny and a first-round draft pick.
Buffalo is going for broke. They made a brilliant move earlier in the day, freeing up cap space by trading Martin Biron to the Flyers and replacing him with Columbus' Ty Conklin, who makes about $1.7 million less.
Then they went out and used the cap space, acquiring Zubrus, who has 20 goals this year and makes $1.85 million. That's absolutely brilliant management by Sabres GM Darcy Regier.
Buffalo has been the class of the East all year long, but recently they've had injuries to top forwards Maxim Afinogenov and Chris Drury (Tim Connolly is already done for the year).
We don't know how well Zubrus will play in Buffalo, but you have to like it when your general manager is creative and aggressive to help patch a hole.
2:39 p.m. -- Rangers dump Dupuis
It looks the Pascal Dupuis' tenure in New York is over after just six games. Several web sites have reported that the Rangers have dealt him to Atlanta.
This is not entirely suprising, as Dupuis had been mostly invisible on the ice since scoring a goal in his first game.
The Rangers will get back a prospect, whose name I do not yet know. I'll try to find out and get back to you.
2:30 p.m. -- Bertuzzi update
TSN reports that Detroit will trade a conditional draft pick (probably based on how many games Bertuzzi plays the rest of the year) and a prospect to Florida for Todd Bertuzzi. Details still emerging. . .
Bertuzzi, 31, is in the final season of a four-year, $27.8 million contract that he originally signed with Vancouver.
2:24 p.m. -- Nothing yet from Isles
Newsday's Greg Logan checks in on his blog. Read it to find out what's up with Jason Blake.
My feeling? If Detroit got Bertuzzi, and San Jose got Guerin, the market for Blake took a big hit. Dallas, Nashville and Vancouver may still be in the bidding.
2:23 p.m. -- TSN: Bertuzzi to Wings
Though it's not confirmed, TSN reports that Detroit has acquired injured winger Todd Bertuzzi from Florida. Details were not immediately available. I'll let you know once I find out more.
2:22 p.m. -- Two more deals
A couple of depth deals reported in Canada: Fourth-liner Brad May was shipped from Colorado to Anaheim and Phoenix sent Oleg Saprykin and a late-round pick to Ottawa for a second-round pick. Big news coming down now . . .
2:19 p.m. -- Quickly. . .
That earlier Ty Conklin-to-Buffalo trade was for a 5th round draft pick. Just making sure you have all that info.
2:17 p.m. -- Great deal for Rangers
Whether or not Paul Mara can be a reliable power play quarterback is open for discussion. But the simple fact that the Rangers were able to unload the ineffective Aaron Ward for him makes this a good move on their part.
The fact that they were able to acquire someone who is 27 years old, makes roughly the same money as Ward, and has the potential to contribute to their power play makes it a great move.
Mara was having a rough year in Boston, where fell out of favor with head coach Dave Lewis and was on pace (3-15-18) for his worst offseason season in six years (he was also an awful minus-22).
But Ward had worn out his welcome in New York after confronting Jaromir Jagr on the Rangers' bench during a Feb. 3 game against Tampa. He reportedly questioned the captain's leadership and the two had not gotten along well ever since.
And Mara provides an element that the Rangers haven't had since they traded Brian Leetch: A legitimate offensive talent on the blueline. Don't make the mistake of thinking he's anywhere near as good as Leetch; it may be fairer to say that he's a notch above Michal Rozsival, talent-wise.
It should be interesting to see how he looks on the Rangers power play if he plays tonight.
1:35 p.m. -- Confirmed: Rangers get Ward for Mara
Newsday's Steve Zipay has confirmed that the Rangers acquired defenseman Paul Mara from the Boston Bruins in return for defenseman Aaron Ward.
Mara had fallen out of favor in Boston, but has the talent to be the power play quarterback the Rangers need.
I couldn't find out much about Mara's contract situation, except that he is making $3 million this year. Ward is signed through next season. He is making $2.75 million this year and $3 million next year.
1:30 p.m. -- Bill Guerin trade & details confirmed
Just saw that NHL.com had posted that the Bill Guerin trade to San Jose is official. Here are the details:
The Sharks get Guerin, 36, from St. Louis in exchange for LW Ville Nieminen, a 2007 1st-round pick, and prospect Jay Barriball.
1:28 p.m. -- TSN: Rangers trade Aaron Ward to Boston
Click here to read Steve Zipay's blog about a reported trade of Rangers defenseman Aaron Ward to Boston.
Ward and Jaromir Jagr had a shouting match on the Rangers' bench in early February which had become the subject of much media discussion. Ward had also played terribly for most of this season, so the move is not entirely surprising.
1:23 p.m. -- Waiver claims
A few minor moves here. Montreal has claimed G Michael Leighton off waivers from Philadelphia. Rangers forward Jason Krog is on his way back to Atlanta. Denis Hamel is on his way to Philly. Niko Kapanen to Phoenix and G Brian Boucher to Columbus.
12:53 p.m. -- Pittsburgh trades Dominic Moore to Wild
TSN reports are saying the Penguins have traded the checking line center (and former Ranger) to Minnesota for a 3rd round draft pick.
I guess Moore became expendable with the Pens acquiring Georges Laraque and Gary Roberts today, and getting a 3rd rounder back for him seems reasonable. After watching Moore play a lot last year and a bit this year, I can tell you that he will definitely help Minnesota.
He's a smart, hustling player and a good penalty killer. He has some playmaking ability, too. A solid third or fourth line guy. Wild coach Jacques Lemaire will probably love him.
12:25 p.m. -- Report: Rangers check Bertuzzi's medical records
According to Montreal radio station Team 990, the Rangers have asked to see the medical records of injured Panthers forward Todd Bertuzzi.
Bertuzzi, a former 40-goal scorer, has only played seven games this season while sitting out with a back injury. He's in the last year of a contract that pays him roughly $5.27 this season.
12:22 p.m. -- Zubrus on the move?
We're now hearing that Dainius Zubrus was not dressed for practice this morning, meaning a trade is likely on the way. According to Newsday's Steve Zipay, the Rangers were looking into Zubrus' availability, but there are a number of other teams who were also reportedly trying to acquire him.
12:18 p.m. -- Guerin details emerging
It looks like Bill Guerin is headed to the Sharks as part of a three-way trade involving the Blues and an unknown team. Early reports are that the Sharks will surrender a first round pick previously acquired from New Jersey and a top prospect in the deal. More to follow. . .
12:12 p.m. -- Biron update
Hold the phone on the Martin Biron trade. It looks like a done deal, but not for a first round pick. We'll let you know when we find out for sure.
I still don't like the move. The point isn't what Philly gave up for him, it's that Philly already has two goalies of similar ability (Robert Esche and Antero Niittymaki).
12:10 p.m. -- Laraque trade details
TSN reports that enforcer Georges Laraque is headed from Phoenix to Pittsburgh. Phoenix gets Daniel Carcillo and an eighth-round pick.
For some reason, Laraque had a no-trade clause, which he had to waive in order for the trade to go through. Figure that one out.
In any event, the Penguins clearly felt they had to get tougher, and with the additions of Laraque and Gary Roberts, they have.
12:02 p.m. -- Guerin a Shark?
TSN is now saying they believe Bill Guerin is headed to the Sharks. We'll wait a few more minutes for the smoke to clear and trade details to emerge, and then provide some analysis.
11:59 a.m. -- More Guerin
TSN is saying that Guerin has definitely been traded, but we don't know where yet. Anaheim, San Jose and Detroit have all expressed interest. Don't be surprised if he ends up in one of those cities.
11:55 a.m. -- Bill Guerin news
TSN has reported that Bill Guerin was not on the ice for the Blues' morning skate. That means a trade is almost certain to be announced. We'll keep you posted.
11:54 a.m. -- Conklin to Buffalo
New reports on TSN say Columbus has traded backup goalie Ty Conklin to Buffalo for an undisclosed draft pick. If that's true, it's a good move for the Sabres.
Not only did they replace Martin Biron, who they have apparently traded to Philadelphia, they also saved a nice chunk of money under the cap. Biron was still owed about $530,000 this year, while Conklin will only make around $128,000 the rest of the way. That extra wiggle room could help the Sabres add a depth player this afternoon.
Buffalo is currently without six regular players, including Maxim Afinogenov, Chris Drury, Jaroslav Spacek and Tim Connolly, who is out for the season.
They have been stuck in cap hell all season, unable to improve their team because they've been right at the $44 million limit. Now they've got a little flexibility.
11:42 a.m. -- Phoenix will trade Laraque
It looks like the Coyotes' firesale has begun. They've told tough guy Georges Laraque that he's going to be traded, but according to Rogers Sportsnet in Canada, they're giving him two choices: Calgary or Pittsburgh.
Check out the link for more info on that deal.
11:07 a.m. -- Sabres to trade Biron?
Reports out of Canada have the Flyers acquiring Sabres backup Martin Biron for one of the first round picks they acquired from Nashville in the Peter Forsberg trade.
If that's true, I don't like the move. Here's why:
Even though the pick Philadelphia is giving up will likely be in the 26th-30th overall range, I don't know if Biron solves the Flyers' ever-present goaltending problems.
Ever since the death of Pelle Lindbergh in 1985, it seems like the Flyers have been searching for the goalie who would take them back to the top. They've tried an endless list of netminders: Ron Hextall, Sean Burke, John Vanbeisbrouck, Antero Niittymaki, Robert Esche, Roman Cechmanek, Garth Snow, Tommy Soderstrom, and Brian Boucher to name a few. And yet in the past 20 years, none of them has led the Flyers to a Stanley Cup title.
And Biron isn't going to do it either. If you look at his career numbers, with a 2.49 GAA and a .910 save percentage coming into this year, you might think the Flyers got a great No. 1 starter.
In fact, they got an average one. Over the past seven seasons, Biron, a former 16th overall pick, has had numerous chances to lock down the No. 1 spot in Buffalo. But for one reason or another, he's never been able to do it.
He's been great the last two years on a very good Sabres team, but he isn't the type of goaltender who can carry a team to the Cup.
Even worse, he's an unrestricted free agent after the season, meaning Philly will probably have to spend big to keep him (definitely more than the $2.2 million he makes now.)
Maybe he'll prove me wrong and play extremely well in Philadelphia. But I wouldn't bet on it. I think in a few years, he'll just be another name in the list I provided above.
10:45 a.m. -- A chat with Steve Zipay
I spoke to our Rangers beat writer for about 20 minutes earlier. He obviously feels today's Jagr reports are totally overblown, and I agree. If the Rangers make a move, it's likely to be relatively minor.
Steve did indicate that the Rangers have shown a bit of interest in Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook (4-11-15), but didn't provide many details.
He also said the Rangers were checking into the availability of Washington's Dainius Zubrus (20-32-52), who will be a free agent after the season.
Based on my impression of our conversation, I'd say there's about about 25 percent chance the Rangers might get Zubrus, and about a 10 percent chance they'd get Seabrook.
And a 0.01 percent chance they'll trade Jagr.
10:27 a.m. -- Quick note on Roberts
It's all but confirmed now that Gary Roberts will be a Pittsburgh Penguins. This a good move for the Pens, who could scare some teams with their talented offense and potentially hot goaltending. Roberts, 40, will provide a veteran presence alongside Mark Recchi, who last year was a key contributor to Carolina's Stanley Cup run.
9:58 a.m. -- More on Jagr from Steve Zipay
Newsday's Rangers beat man, Steve Zipay, has this to say on the Jagr report in his blog:
"I just seriously doubt that Jagr, the team captain, whose contract has great value and is the face of the franchise, is being "shopped" with any aggressiveness -- or that he'll be traded today."
9:40 a.m. -- Ryan Smyth rumors put to bed?
A report out of Edmonton casts doubt on rumors that the Oilers will trade 31-goal scorer and UFA-to-be Ryan Smyth.
The bottom line is that if the Oilers can hammer out a contract with Smyth -- which they'd clearly prefer to do -- Smyth isn't going anywhere. He's been a mainstay of their team for 12 years.
9:20 a.m. -- First, on Jagr
Wow, lots to talk about this morning.
First, I wanted to discuss the reports this morning that the Rangers are offering Jaromir Jagr around the NHL. Before I saying anything else, two points need to be made:
1) Trading Jagr is not as terrible an idea as it seems.
2) Jagr almost certainly will not be traded today.
By offering Jagr around, Glen Sather is doing -- to use a sports cliche -- his "due diligence." Which is to say that trading Jagr is not so unheard of -- so ridiculous -- that it wouldn't be worth Sather's time to see what he could get in return for him.
That said, I am a little surprised that the Rangers would even consider it. The fact they would even consider dealing him proves to me that, deep down, they know their team has no legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup this year.
Whether or not they will be willing or able to act on that knowledge remains to be seen.
I know what Jagr has meant to the team, I know he sells lots of jerseys and tickets, and I actually think he's a pretty good guy. But he's 35, he's got a bad shoulder and a recurring groin problem and it's hard to believe he has another 50-goal season in him. His best days are behind him now.
He only counts for about $4.9 million against the salary cap (thank you Washington Capitals), but clearing out that space would open the door for the Rangers to find a new, younger centerpiece for the team this summer. Don't forget, Brendan Shanahan's $4 million and Sandis Ozolinsh's $2.75 million come off the books, too. That's at least $11 million in cap space that Sather would be free to spend on a terrific crop of free agents that will include Buffalo's Chris Drury, Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, Montreal's Sheldon Souray, and New Jersey's Scott Gomez and Bryan Rafalski.
I'm not saying I'd like to see Jagr go, nor do I think they'll be able to move his bulky $8.36 million contract, but just think about what the Rangers could get for him -- and what they could do with the money they'd save. Now you can understand why Sather might consider it.
Summitt promised to reciprocate. 
Don't do it! Please!
