So They Claim

With the Trade Deadline now two days away, several teams have been clearing cap space by placing underperforming players on waivers. So far today, three players have been picked up by contending teams. Trades continue here and there as well.

New York Rangers receive D Bryan McCabe from Florida for W Tim Kennedy and 2011 3rd round pick. The Rangers are looking to turn their play around and keep hold of their current playoff position. With a young blue line led by Marc Staal, the Rangers pick up an aging puck-moving defenseman, who should help mentor the younger players. He was Florida's captain and will bring valuable leadership to the Blueshirts. Florida continues their mission of shipping off their veterans for young talent and prospects. Tim Kennedy had 10 goals and 26 points in his rookie season for the Sabres last year, along with 3 points in 6 playoff games. The Sabres declined to pick up his arbitration reward in the offseason and he was picked up for the Rangers, who kept him in the minors. He has some potential and should get a chance to play more in the young Florida system.

Columbus claims D Criag Rivet from Buffalo. This could be a brilliant move for a resurgent Columbus squad. Still pushing for their first playoff appearance ever, the Blue Jackets have been a roll lately, partly thanks to the explosive goal-scorer, including last night's hat trick, of call-up Max Calvert. With an unimpressive and young blue line, Columbus now brings in some great leadership and experience on the back end in the form of a fallen defenseman looking to redeem himself. In a bold move, Lindy Ruff sat his captain when the Sabres weren't playing well, and Rivet has been benched ever since. Rivet will be a solid contributer to the Blue Jackets, but they should still look for additional help.

Washington claims W Marco Sturm from Los Angeles. Still recovering from a devastating injury suffered in the playoffs last year with Boston, Marco Sturm still hasn't really found his game since returning to play with the Kings. If Sturm can return to form, he is a a proven 25-goal scorer, whose speed should fit in well with the Capitals system. They still need a dependable second line center, but Sturm is a gamble that could prove valuable.

Philadelphia claims D Nick Boynton from Chicago. After seeing little playing time for the Cup champs last year, Boynton  has gotten more ice time this year, but the Blackhawks haven't been playing so well this year and shedding Boynton clears a small amount of cap space and leaves a spot open for younger developping D-men. The Blackhawks are looking for a shut-down defenseman who can play on the PK and this leaves some space to do that. The Flyers have one of the most solid defensive corps in the game, but with top defender Chris Pronger and seventh man Oskars Bartulis injured, Boynton will likely see some playing time with the remaining group of Braydon Coburn, Kimmo Timonen, Andrej Meszaros, Sean O'Donnell, and Matt Carle, and when Pronger returns, will be solid injury insurance for the playoffs. Boynton's play has been down over the last few years, but reuniting with former Bruins teammate Sean O'Donnell could help him find his game.