The 2014 trade deadline has come and gone, but not without its share of controversy and questions. As we approach the final stretch to the season, lets take a quick look at some of the stories making headlines around the NHL.

Habs and Hab nots

Announced shortly after the 3pmET trade deadline, the Montreal Canadiens acquired Thomas Vanek and a fifth round pick from the NY Islanders in exchange for a second round pick and a prospect (Sebastian Collberg) from the Habs. Marc Bergevin, Canadiens GM, commits what appears to be the heist of the trade deadline after Islanders GM Garth Snow admits that he had to change his trade plans towards the end of deadline day after realizing there were no offers coming in. Well, no offers to the Islanders liking, which they had reportedly believed would fall in line with a first round pick, at the minimum.

As the day unfolded, and forwards such as Ales Hemsky, Marian Gaborik, Marcel Goc and Tuomo Ruutu going to teams that the Islanders have been linked to or that needed forwards, the pessimistic expectations from all Islanders fans was that the Islanders could get stuck with or take a less than fair market offer for Vanek. Making matters worse (as if they could get ANY worse) the picks that were part of the deal will ONLY be exchanged if the Canadiens make the playoffs this season. With talks of planned Islanders walkouts during the next homestand and a twitter campaigned with a straightforward message “#SnowMustGo” trending worldwide within the hour after the deal was announced, the Islanders tortured and beleaguered fan base has yet another instance of front office inept ability to rally around, or in spite of. Snow even had the audacity to state in a conference call on trade deadline day that “[W]e’re very fortunate with the deal that we made to be honest with you.” Talk about kicking a fan base when they are down. With honesty like that, Islanders fans would surely opt for an alternative.

In defense of Snow, the October trade that sent popular F Matt Moulson and a 2014 1st round pick and a 2015 2nd round pick to Buffalo for Thomas Vanek was a win now move, with most fans realizing that the team was attempting to build off of the 2012-13 thrilling six game series with the Penguins, which saw the fan base and franchise experience levels of excitement that have been absent for almost a decade. There was always that possibility that Vanek would test free agency and the team could possibly miss the playoffs. However, Vanek, the top goal scorer on the market with many teams needing extra goal scorers, made it clear in February by rejecting the proposed seven year, $50 million offer, that he had to be moved. The Islanders should have moved him before the Olympic break, and reports circulated that they rejected a significant offer in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. To end up with what they ended up with is a fireable offense for Snow, and nothing short. Even former owner John Spano took to twitter to trash his former employer and organization, suggesting that Charles Wang sell the team after causing the fan base enough heartache.

After front page newspaper headlines on Thursday in Montreal (that’s front page, not sports section front page) its safe to opine that the Canadiens fans support the trade. Sebastian Collberg, on paper, has struggled this season, with just 3 goals and 6 assists playing in Sweden for the Swedish Hockey League. And that’s in 40 games. However, Snow stated that he sees the 20-year old as a future second liner. Another prospect, Jakob De La Rose, would have been a better acquisition for the Islanders as he is regarded as a better player. Looking at the centerpiece of the deal, the impact of the Vanek acquisition is expected to be substantial. The Habs average a shade under two and a half goals a game, and one must assume that adding an impact forward who averaged almost a point a game with two cellar dwelling teams in the Eastern Conference can help increase the Habs 20th ranked goal scoring attack. Lining up on the right side with with Tomas Plekanec at center and Brian Gionta, or Daniel Briere will add to the productiveness of the Habs top six forwards. As the Habs return home after failing 4-0 to the Sharks last night (on tough road trip that saw them go 1-3, with games against the Kings, Ducks, Coyotes and Sharks) and hopefully see the return of Carey Price replacing Peter Budaj in net, the Habs will have some practice time to best fit Vanek and defensemen Mike Weaver into the lineup.

It’s Our Time

The St. Louis Blues acquired Ryan Miller and Steve Ott from Buffalo for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a 2015 1st-round pick, and a 2016 conditional 3rd-round pick. A great deal for the Blues, who currently stand atop the Central Division, four points ahead of the Blackhawks. (strange stat-the Blues are 17-0-1 against the Central Division overall) But what makes this deal so great for the Blues? Both Halak and Miller have comparable numbers, and Halak is the younger of the two goalies. But Miller gives the Blues that veteran experience, and most importantly big-game experience with Team USA. The past few seasons, Jonathan Quick, Team USA’s current net-minder has outplayed Halak and Brian Elliott in leading to successive-playoff exits for the Blues at the hands of the Kings. Miller is off to a hot start with four straight wins since joining the Blues prior to the trade deadline and appears primed for a strong playoff run with the Blues.

Steve Ott certainly doesn’t have anywhere near the numbers he had while in Dallas, but his value is certainly measured more outside the numbers. Described as “gritty,” “tough,” “hard hitting,” and a leader, former Buffalo captain Steve Ott helps the Blues get even tougher and harder to physically play against for the Western Conference elite. This blockbuster deal shows the rest of the Western Conference that the Blues will not be satisfied with just another playoff appearance.

The Minnesota Wild got stronger after acquiring goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov from the Oilers for a 4th round pick a day before the deadline. There were rumors circulating that the Wild were interested in Halak and Brodeur, which would have also served as a reliable experienced upgrade in net, yet certainly would have cost more than a fourth rounder. Minnesotas current goalie, rookie Darcy Kuemper, has played exceptionally well after injuries and health issues have forced both Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding out of action for indefinite amounts of time. Kuemper has played so well that he will continue to start after the acquisition of Bryzgalov. But with 20 games in 37 days, the need for a second reliable goalie was clear, even with the Wild having a comfortable lead in the chase for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference. Right before the deadline, the Wild acquired Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick from the Buffalo Sabres. Near the bottom of the league in goals scored, adding a left winger with the scoring ability of Matt Moulson to play alongside Charlie Coyle and Mikko Koivu on the second line should result in more shots on goal as well. The Wild got more well rounded as a result of these moves.