The clock is ticking.
With each passing day, the NHL trade deadline gets closer and closer. Early speculation suggests a number of big-name players could be packing their bags in the coming weeks.
It would be a welcomed sight, especially after last year's deadline produced very few moves, and little of significance.
While a couple of clubs - namely the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers - did their best to boost their squads for long playoff runs in 2016, neither saw their deals pay dividends.
In fact, looking back, it's quite clear that sellers walked away all the richer.
The big boys failed
After the dust settled on last year's deadline, it became clear that only two big names had traded spots - Andrew Ladd and Eric Staal.
The deals were supposed to make the Chicago Blackhawks (Ladd from Winnipeg) and New York Rangers (Staal from Carolina) contenders in their respective conferences, but both lost in the first round.
On the flip side, the Jets received a 2016 first-round pick - which they used to move up in the draft - a conditional 2018 third-round pick, and forward Marko Dano.
As for the Hurricanes, they received two second-round picks - one in 2016 and one in the upcoming draft - along with forward prospect Aleksi Saarela.
Ladd and Staal would combine for just two points in 12 playoff games (both by Ladd), so you can chalk those up as wins for the sellers.
Canadian teams get bang for their buck
With all seven Canadian teams failing to make the playoffs last season, nearly all were active in one way or another at the deadline. In nearly every case, those teams sold off assets and received favorable compensation in return.
Canadiens
| Canadiens acquire | Blackhawks acquire |
|---|---|
| Phillip Danault / 2018 2nd-round pick | Dale Weise /Tomas Fleischmann |
Flames
| Flames acquire | Panthers acquire |
|---|---|
| 2016 2nd-round pick / 2018 4th-round pick | Jiri Hudler |
| Flames acquire | Stars acquire |
|---|---|
| Jyrki Jokipakka / Brett Pollock / 2016 conditional 1st- or 2nd-round pick | Kris Russell |
Oilers
| Oilers acquire | Penguins acquire |
|---|---|
| 2016 3rd-round pick | Justin Schultz |
| Oilers acquire | Panthers acquire |
|---|---|
| 2016 3rd-round pick | Teddy Purcell |
| Oilers acquire | Ducks acquire |
|---|---|
| Patrick Maroon | Martin Gernat / 2016 4th-round pick |
Senators
| Senators acquire | Islanders acquire |
|---|---|
| 2016 3rd-round pick | Shane Prince / 2016 7th-round pick |
Maple Leafs
| Maple Leafs acquire | Capitals acquire |
|---|---|
| Brooks Laich / Connor Carrick / 2016 2nd-round pick | Daniel Winnik / 2016 5th-round pick |
| Maple Leafs acquire | Sharks acquire |
|---|---|
| Alex Stalock / Ben Smith / 2018 conditional 4th-round pick | James Reimer / Jeremy Morin |
Note: there were a few other minor deals made by Canadian clubs, while the Jets' trade for Ladd was already mentioned above.
Looking at the trades, it's clear that Canadian teams made off pretty good.
Danault and Maroon have both produced more than either franchise would have predicted this year.
Meanwhile, Justin Schultz is having a great season in Pittsburgh, but it should be noted he produced very little during the Penguins' playoff run.
Elsewhere, Kris Russell didn't help the Stars like they'd hoped, the Panthers didn't capitalize on their deals with the Oilers and Flames, while the Maple Leafs opened up cap space and have Connor Carrick and Ben Smith playing regularly this season.
Top teams didn't need additions
In closing, it's clear that deadline moves had almost no impact on playoff outcomes.
As mentioned above, Schultz contributed just one goal and seven assists in 18 regular-season games for Pittsburgh, and just four assists while playing in 15 of the team's 24 playoff contests.
Meanwhile, the Sharks rode Martin Jones the entire way - leaving James Reimer on the bench - while their only other pickups ahead of the deadline were Roman Polak - who served on the team's third pairing - and Nick Spaling.
This season, it appears asking prices around the league for potential rentals are high once again. So if 2016 is any indication, buyer beware.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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