The NHL trade deadline is nearing, and the talks and moves are picking up steam. The biggest prizes to be had (potentially) are still out there in Columbus' Jeff Carter and Rick Nash. Because Columbus is going to be in rebuilding mode (again), players such as R.J. Umberger and Antoine Vermette were also on the market. I say "were" because today, Vermette was traded to Phoenix for a couple of draft picks (a 2012 2nd rounder and a 2013 5th rounder) and Curtis McElhinney. What does this mean for Columbus? Well, this is your classic salary dump, as McElhinney is injured and will be a free agent at the end of the year, and everyone knows that the NHL Draft is no sure thing. Vermette has been a good player in the past, as the 2007 playoff run with Ottawa will attest. He provides a second line center for Phoenix and can contribute offensively, which is good news for Radim Vrbata (who scored his 30th goal last night).
The best non-Blue Jacket on the market? Tuono Ruutu, and as of today, he remains a Carolina Hurricane for the next four years, since he signed an extension with the team. Ruutu's signing sends a strong message to Jeff Skinner that the Hurricanes are serious about keeping the core intact for the next few years, and along with Tim Gleason, Ruutu provides solid, if unspectacular play on the ice.
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