Here are my opinions on the following trades:
Detroit Red Wings send Patrick Eaves, forward, Calle Jarnkrok, forward, and 2014 cond. 3rd round pick to Nashville Predators for David Legwand, forward: Legwand waved his no-trade clause to join the Red Wings. Eaves has been a healthy scratch by the Red Wings in the past 5 games. The Red Wings need help with Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Weiss, and Clearly out with injuries. It’s not a trade that shakes the team the core, just adds a body that is needed with the “superstar” players out.
Florida Panthers send Tim Thomas, goalie, to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Dan Ellis, goalie: Thomas is having a rough year, but then again, he also took a year off. I think the Panthers win this trade. If the Panthers stick with Luongo, they have two goalies who could be starters or at least a starter and a back up.
Columbus Blue Jackets send Marian Gaborik, forward, to L.A. Kings for Matt Frattin, forward, and some 2014 draft picks: I enjoyed Gaborik playing for the Rangers and really thought them letting him get traded to the Blue Jackets was a mistake. When Gaborik is healthy, he can be a beast on the ice. The L.A. Kings need help scoring and Gabby should be just fine doing/helping with that.
Vancouver Canucks send Roberto Luongo, goalie, and Steven Anthony, forward, to the Florida Panthers for Jacob Markstrom, goalie, and Shawn Matthias, forward: To be honest, I don’t know enough about Markstrom to say anything about him. Luongo has been on and off for a while. Maybe a new team and new teammates will do him good.
St Louis Blues send Jaroslav Halak, goalie to Buffalo Sabres but he doesn’t stay long. Washington Capitals send Michael Neuvirth, goalie, and Rostislav Klesla, defense, to Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Jaroslav Halak, goalie, and 2015 3rd round pick: The Caps goalie situation will be interesting. Branden Holtby is their starter so the rest of the season could be testing to see who the starter is for the 2014-15 season.