Best trade deadline deals

The number of deals on trade deadline day have historically been small. In the last 9 seasons the average number of deals has been 20 involving about 35 players. But most of the players involved tend to be marginally role players rather than stars. For every Marion Hossa trade, there are dozens of Anssi Salmela's or Doug Janik's.

Season	Total Trades	Total Players
1998-99	21	30
1999-00	12	23
2000-01	17	31
2001-02	17	35
2002-03	24	46
2003-04	20	32
2005-06	25	40
2006-07	25	44
2007-08	25	45

The best known trade was back in 1980, Dave Lewis and Billy Harris were shipped by the New York Islanders to Los Angeles for Butch Goring. Goring provided the Islanders with the second-line centre they were lacking to play behind Bryan Trottier and helped launch a run of four straight Stanley Cups. In 1981, Goring was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as Stanley Cup MVP.

No other trade has paid off like that one. However, I do remember Punch Imlach picking up Andy Bathgate and Don McKenney from the Rangers in exchange for Dick Duff, Bob Nevin, Rod Seiling, Arnie Brown and Bill Collins in 1964. It was a huge price to pay but the Leafs won the Cup that year.

In 1997, the Leafs sent Larry Murphy to Detroit and Murphy who had been booed out of Toronto. Murphy helped solidify the Red Wing defense and win a Cup that year.

In 2006, Carolina picked up Mark Recchi from Pittsburgh for Niklas Nordgren, Krys Kolanos and a 2nd round pick. The 38 year old Recchi scored 16 points during the playoff run that led to a Stanley Cup for Carolina. One reason why Recchi may be moved again this week even though he is 41.