Winners:
Toronto- they didnt add the scoring they desperately need but they acquired two very tough and solid defensemen in komisarek and exelby while unloading the expensive kubina. they also signed an exciting enforcer in orr. all in all they should be tougher and much more fun to watch than last year.
Rangers- I know many will disagree but the Rangers essentially replaced gomez with gaborik, higgins, and a terrific prospect in ryan mcdonagh. they also signed probably the most intimidating player in the nhl. it remains to be seen if gaborik can stay healthy but he is making what gomez was making and that is a trade i make any day of the week.
Minnesota- I really like what the Wild did. they weren't goign to resign gaborik so they replaced him with a similar player in havlat. they also shored up their defense with the gritty veteran hnidy and the underrated
greg zanon. if they can get koivu they will be a formidable team in the west.
Blackhawks- Added Hossa for a great 5 million dollar cap hit. Not much to complain about. he is a better option than havlat. they also added a great defensive center and pking specialist in
John Madden.
Losers
Canadiens- As a Canadiens fan you cannot be happy. The Gomez trade was a head scratcher as they included their top prospect in the deal as well as a proven scorer in Higgins. They then took two of the smaller free agent forwards in Gionta and Cammalleri. The first line of Gionta Gomez and Cammalleri will be the smallest in the nhl. However perhaps more puzzling was their signings of spacek and gill. spacek is a fat overrated slob whos as soft as they come and a sh*tshow defensively. Gill is soft for a big man and is a very weak skater. They are replacing komisarek with these two and replacing koivu tanguay and kovalev wiht gionta gomez and cammalleri. i dont like it.
Devils- Lose Gionta, Clemmensen, and Madden and have so far replaced them with nothing.
Detroit- Pick up no toughness and lose hossa.