Chris Nichols

­Chris Nichols is Sportsnet.ca's fantasy hockey writer.

Twitter: @Nichols_NHLPool/ Email: chris.nichols@sportsnet.rogers.com

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The San Jose Mercury News says the Sharks have been riding hot goaltender Antti Niemi in recent weeks, climbing to No. 3 in the Western Conference standings. Now, they've made sure Niemi will be around for a long time.

Niemi is getting a four-year, $15.2 million contract extension from the Sharks.

"We're incredibly pleased about this," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said. "He's won the Stanley Cup already. And once he became fully integrated and acclimated here, he's been great. We think he's been the best goalie in the league since Dec. 1, and our coaches believe that he's only going to get better."

Niemi, 27, a native of Finland, signed a one-year, $2 million deal last September 2 with the Sharks after helping lead the Chicago Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup title since 1961.

After last season, the Sharks had signed Antero Niittymaki to a two-year, $4-million contract to replace the departed Evgeni Nabokov in goal. But then Niemi unexpectedly became available. Niemi was awarded a $2.75 salary in an arbitration hearing with the Blackhawks for this season. But salary cap-strapped Chicago let Niemi walk instead, allowing the Sharks to sign him as a free agent.

After a slow start and sharing the position with Niittymaki, Niemi has been red-hot in recent weeks. He is a key reason why the Sharks have gone on a 15-2-1 tear, playing every night as Niittymaki has been sidelined with a groin injury.

The Toronto Sun says that with the trade deadline behind them, the Maple Leafs are poised to resume their unlikely push for a playoff spot.

And they’ll do it with rookie goaltender James Reimer back in action and leading the way.

The Leafs returned to practice Tuesday morning at the Mastercard Centre with the relief of a trade deadline passed and poised to follow up a successful February with a meaningful March to stay in the post-season race.

Prior to Tuesday night’s action, the Leafs remained four points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference currently held by the Carolina Hurricanes.

“How could you go against what the group has done for the last month or so,” coach Ron Wilson said when asked about the lack of movement at Monday’s trade deadline. “We have an excellent record (since the All-Star Break) and there’s no point in tinkering with our chemistry. The guys have been getting it done and we’re hoping that they can continue to get it done.

“Doing something that sets us back for next year wouldn’t make any sense right now. It’s going to be a challenge to make the playoffs, but it’s going to be a great experience especially for all our young guys.”

The Sun reports that Reimer, who left Sunday’s game in Atlanta in the second period after being run over by Thrashers forward Evander Kane, was back in action Tuesday and pronounced himself fit.

He left the game — a 3-2 overtime loss — worried that he might have suffered a minor concussion.

“The symptoms have pretty much cleared up so that’s good,” Reimer said after a busy practice. “I’m just happy it’s not a concussion. You hear bad stories about concussions and they are a tough injury to heal from. Not being that, is really good. It turned out to be some tight muscles in my neck giving me a scare but it’s all good.”

Given the Leafs success with Reimer leading the way, Wilson said the big freshman will get the bulk of the work in the remaining 19 games starting with the first of back-to-back contests Wednesday night when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Air Canada Centre. Although Jonas Gustavsson was recalled from the minors, J-S Giguere will serve as Reimer’s primary backup.

“Reims looks like he’s okay and all things being equal, it’s going to be his ball the rest of the way as long as we stay in the race,” Leafs coach Ron Wilson said. “And I think he’s up to it. “

The Calgary Herald points out that Monday, the National Hockey League's deadline featured 16 trades.

Jay Feaster could have boosted that total to 17. Easily.

All Feaster had to do was flip Curtis Glencross. Interest was certainly there.

"We obviously got phone calls about Curtis," said the Calgary Flames general manager. "We looked at the offers that were presented. But at the end of the day, there was nothing coming back that we thought was going to improve our hockey club more than having Curtis here.

"We still have until July 1 to try and work all that out."

Glencross, playing out the final season of a deal that pays him $1.2 million, said he's interested in a four- or five-year extension.

"I'm sure that's something we'll be talking about in the next while," said Glencross. "I don't really want to get into the details and stuff on it. I think we'll get something worked out eventually. I'm doing my best trying not to think about it, right?"

The Herald writes that according to the boss, though, the two sides are a ways apart. Still.

"We have been having some conversations with Curtis Glencross and his agent (David Kaye) - we're not there yet, as far as extending him," said Feaster. "We talked about it a great deal internally. We've had conversations. We're not close to getting him signed.

"Again, I'd rather have him in the (dressing) room with us, and then we'll work all that other stuff out as the season progresses."

It's clear Glencross is in the market for a healthy raise.

At 28 years of age, the speedy winger is in his prime. And he's enjoying a career season, despite a few hiccups.

"Back when Curtis was a healthy scratch earlier in the season, we probably could have done a different deal than now that he's scored 20 goals," said Feaster.

"I only hope that he scores 20 goals in the month of March alone and then he's the Conn Smythe winner and then we're having a whole different conversation about him at the end of the season."

According to The Dallas Morning News, the Stars received their marching orders on Monday — go forth and win.

General manager Joe Nieuwendyk pondered trading leading scorer Brad Richards, who can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. But the Stars kept Richards with the hope they can make a long playoff run this season.

Nieuwendyk said he wanted his team to focus on the final 20 games of the season and the chase for one of the eight playoff spots in the Western Conference.

“Nothing happened, and I’m good with that,” Nieuwendyk said after the NHL trade deadline passed and he declined an offer from at least one NHL team.

“I get a kick out of watching all of the media, in Toronto especially, saying who could use Brad Richards. Well you know what? Our team could use him, too. We’re sitting in a playoff spot, and it’s not like we’re sellers. We’re trying to make the playoffs and make a run here ourselves.”

Richards, 30, said before Monday’s deadline that he was happy playing with the Stars.

“I’m a Dallas Star,” he said. “These are my friends; these are my teammates.”

The Morning News indicates that Richards has missed six games with concussion-like symptoms caused by a hit to the jaw he suffered on Feb. 13 against Columbus. He skated on his own for 45 minutes Monday, his most taxing workout since the hit.

He did not fly with the team to Phoenix for Tuesday’s game, but he could return Friday against Anaheim, Nieuwendyk said.

The Stars know what it means to keep Richards. Nieuwendyk took a significant risk, because he knows Richards probably won’t sign a contract extension until the team has new owners.

“There’s nothing that has gained any traction or would change my stance on what we’ve said all along,” Richards said when asked Monday about possible contract extensions. “Until I kind of see what’s going on here and who’s going to be the GM, who’s going to be running the team, there are a lot of questions. I have the right in the situation I’m in to ask those questions, and I’m going to keep asking them.

“There’s no change here. I know people want to read more into it, and they think there’s more to it, but there’s not. It’s gone this long and we’re this close to the summer. So seeing who’s going to be in charge of this makes sense to me in what I want to do.”

The Morning News believes that’s why Nieuwendyk is rolling the dice in passing up a chance to get something for Richards via a trade. He would not divulge what kind of offers were on the table, but he clearly left something there for the right to keep Richards for the rest of the season.

“I don’t think I was ever of the mind-set that I should just take what I could get. That’s not what this is about,” Nieuwendyk said. “I believe in this group. I’m about winning right now and making the playoffs. That’s very much an important thing for this franchise, and Brad Richads gives us our best chance of doing that.”

Richards said he is feeling better and hopes to return to the lineup soon.

“I’ve been day-to-day, really,” he said. “Unfortunately, it lingered longer than I thought. For two or three days, I had a sore jaw and I wasn’t sure if the headaches were from the jaw or the actual head injury. I haven’t had any really terrible days, but the awareness is there right now. It’s unfortunate, because I want to be out there.”

The Montreal Gazette writes that Habs GM Pierre Gauthier did make a deal with the Atlanta Thrashers, but it won't have any effect on tonight's game between the teams. The Canadiens acquired goaltender Drew MacIntyre and gave up Brett Festerling, a defenceman acquired in the trade that sent Maxim Lapierre to Anaheim.

The lack of activity was welcomed in the Canadiens' dressing room.

"You guys are looking at big moves to make a push, but sometimes it's the chemistry in the room with the guys you have that you believe in," said captain Brian Gionta. "You know they can get the job done. Just because there were no big moves doesn't mean you're not making a push. We're confident in the group we have."

Gauthier said he talked to a number of teams, but he expressed a similar faith in the current lineup. "Sometimes, you have to love your players," he said. "It's easy to find things wrong with them, but we're happy with the balance between our core group and our younger players.

"There were some deals that were out there, but we didn't want to make a deal for the sake of making a deal," Gauthier added. "We didn't want to trade equals for equals. We've made 10 changes since this time last year and we want to keep the chemistry we have."

Gauthier said the Canadiens thought they would have more assets to work with earlier in the season, but they were forced to rebuild the defence after injuries to Andrei Markov, Josh Gorges and Jaroslav Spacek.

Incidentally, Habs Inside/Out reported today that Spacek visited Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham Monday and received some good news. He needs arthroscopic surgery to "clean up" his right knee but should be back in the lineup in 4-6 weeks which means he should be available for the playoffs. Josh Gorges and Andrei Markov also made the trip to Birmingham for followups on their knee surgeries. Spacek said no decision has been made on where the surgery will be performed but it will be done before the end of the week. Coach Jacques Martin said the news on Spacek was welcome.

According to The Vancouver Province, Mason Raymond can start looking over his shoulder right about now; even if Chris Higgins is still a couple weeks away from making his Vancouver Canucks debut.

The Canucks may not have acquired Higgins Monday to play left wing on their second line, but he has the ability and experience, to do it — which means Vancouver accomplished more than adding depth with a couple of trade-deadline deals.

They've added competition. So, it's wakeup time for the struggling Raymond, who, with two goals in 26 games, could probably make use of a torch being lit under him.

Raymond still has time. Higgins' thumb is in a splint after he broke it blocking a shot Friday against Atlanta, meaning he could be out two to three weeks. He's still awaiting a full medical examination on the thumb, something that won't happen until he gets to Vancouver.

The Province notes that Higgins, 27, should be back in about two weeks.

"I'll find out when I see the doctor in Vancouver," Higgins said after the trade. "I hadn't really had a chance to talk to the doctors in Florida. They just said you're going to be out a while. I'll get a re-evaluation when I get to Vancouver."

Higgins is versatile, speedy but streaky and prone to underachieving, which means he should fit right in playing wing on the second or third line.

"Versatility is certainly an asset of mine," Higgins said. "I want to be an energy, hard-working type of guy who plays a smart game. I can play with a lot of people. I'm looking forward to finding my role in Vancouver."

He has one more goal than Raymond this year (11-10) and with 23 points has only three fewer than Raymond at even strength. Those aren't great numbers for Higgins, but aren't bad either, if you consider he's coming from Florida, a defensively oriented team that is 26th in league scoring.

Higgins was second on the Panthers with a plus-5 rating and that's despite playing up and down their lineup.

"Playing out here in Florida, there wasn't a lot of talent compared to many other teams," Higgins acknowledged. "I found myself moving all over the place. But that's where I've been most of my career, playing with a variety of players.

"The thing I'm looking forward to in Vancouver is trying to find some chemistry with some guys on that team."

There were few winners Monday bigger than Higgins, who goes from the 12th-place team in the Eastern Conference to Vancouver, which was sitting atop the NHL at the time of the trade.

"Who wouldn't be amped to play with a team that's first in the conference?" Higgins said. "It's quite an opportunity."

The Ottawa Citizen points out that while so many of the old-guard Senators have been shown the way out the door in a massive rebuild, the club went against the grain to re-sign veteran defenceman Chris Phillips to a three-year contract worth $9.25 million U.S. — at the cusp of the NHL trading deadline.

According to Senators general manager Bryan Murray, eight different teams were interested in Phillips, but the GM decided Phillips would be part of a future core that also includes captain Daniel Alfredsson and fellow forwards Jason Spezza and Chris Neil.

“These are good people that care about their organization,” Murray said.

No one doubts that the Senators are a caring group, but falling to 15th in the Eastern Conference is what concerns fans. Good work in the community, and caring about the organization does not always translate into victories, which have eluded the Senators since their visit to the Stanley Cup final in 2007.

Murray, who has spent 30 years in the NHL, and previous years in the minors and local leagues called this his “worst year in hockey” at any level. He was non-committal when asked about his future with the club beyond this season.

The Citizen says that Murray also scooped goaltender Curtis McElhinney to backup Craig Anderson. Expect McElhinney, who has struggled, to see some game action. After all, winning games isn’t exactly the goal any more. Securing a first- or second-overall draft pick is the driving force.

LA Kings Insider believes that not to be overlooked on deadline day was Justin Williams’ signing of a four-year, $14.6-million contract extension. Williams, 29, entered last night's game tied for the team lead with 20 goals. Here are GM Dean Lombardi’s thoughts on Williams’ signing, followed by some quotes from the man himself.

Question: Can you talk about getting Williams locked up?

LOMBARDI: “That’s huge. Last night, as these (trade) deals go back and forth, you can get frustrated, but right in the middle of it we were trying to get Justin done. As you see, there were a lot of these deals, with guys getting (contract extensions) right at the deadline. I’m thrilled. He’s one of our most-skilled players. I think it would have been a massive hole, to lose his skill level. So our team, possibly, would have gone backward before it went forward. So he’s as big a part of the last 48 hours as bringing in Dustin Penner. That’s an important piece for us, and I’m thrilled that he took a reasonable (salary) number that works for us long term.”

Question: He made no secret, before the start of the season, about needing to play well in a contract year. I’m guessing you’ve liked what you’ve seen…

LOMBARDI: “He started out a little rough (last season) with the injury. I remember when we got him, he was actually hurt. But we knew him as a player from Philadelphia pretty well. What he has given us doesn’t surprise us. This is a good hockey player. That connect-the-dots type guy, we need that. That’s what he brings.”

And Williams’ thoughts about signing the extension…

WILLIAMS: “I’d never really been in the situation to do a contract extension before. It went well. I think it worked well for both sides. The team has put faith in me and I, in turn, want to make them all look good and be very productive during my time here.”

Question: You could have waited until the summer, as an unrestricted free agent. Was it just that you were sure this is where you wanted to be?

WILLIAMS: “I’ve been here for two years now, and there’s something to be said for familiarity and the direction of the team. This team is going in the real right direction, and I want to be a part of it when it gets really good, and be here when we make pushes in the playoffs and eventually win the Stanley Cup. Who knows when that’s going to happen, but I hope to be here when it does.”

Question: Did the negotiations take quite a while?

WILLIAMS: “They’ve been discussing it for a while. I’m happy it’s done. It’s a little bit stressful, on your mind a little bit, so it’s good to have that done and have that security. Now it’s time for me to go out and show them they made a good investment.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution indicates the Thrashers have a new look for the 19-game push for the playoffs.

In: Radek Dvorak, Rob Schremp, Ben Maxwell, Brett Feasterling. Out: Niclas Bergfors, Fredrik Modin, Patrick Rissmiller, Drew MacIntyre.

The team made several moves at the NHL trade deadline Monday with the biggest the acquisition of Dvorak from Florida. To obtain the forward, and a fifth-round draft pick, the Thrashers sent forwards Bergfors and Rissmiller to the Panthers. The Thrashers also sent Modin to Calgary for a seventh-round draft pick. They claimed Schremp on waivers from the New York Islanders. In a final trade of mainly minor-leaguers, they sent goaltender MacIntyre to Montreal for 24-year-old defenceman Feasterling.

In the first move of the day, the Thrashers signed newly-acquired defenceman Mark Stuart to a three-year contract worth $5.1 million.

“We improved our penalty kill,” Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley said. “We got a little younger. We think we added pieces that can help us. We think we added versatility. We allowed a couple of things to happen for a player who might have been the odd-man out. We added some depth on the blue line. We are pretty happy with what we got accomplished.”

Dudley said Dvorak, 33 and slated to become a UFA this summer, will help the team’s beleaguered penalty kill unit.

“I think he’s a talented guy,” Dudley said. “I think he’s a very good skater. We have certainly added speed. As we said, he’s a great penalty killer. … We think he can be a 20-goal scorer if he comes in and lights it up and has some fun. I think he will have some fun playing in this system. Speed in an important part of this system and he adds that.”

The Journal-Constitution believes that Bergfors never seemed to fit into coach Craig Ramsay’s system. He had 11 goals in 51 games this season and was a healthy scratch 11 times. Most recently, Bergfors was skating on the third line and he averaged just over 10 minutes of ice time over the past eight games. Bergfors, who signed a one-year, $900,000 deal before the season, will be a restricted free agent. Bergfors came to the Thrashers last season from New Jersey as part of the Ilya Kovalchuk trade. He had 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 78 games with the Thrashers.

Dudley said claiming Schremp made it easier to move Bergfors.

“He’s been struggling,” Dudley said. “He had one goal in his last 14 games. Bergy is a streaky player. We were in a situation where we needed him to be streaky the other way.”

Dudley called Modin the “odd-man out” and sent the unrestricted free agent to be to Calgary for a chance at increased playing time. He said he believes the moves are enough in the final six weeks of the season to make the playoffs.

“It has to be,” Dudley said. “We wanted to make changes. We did. I think it looks good, very good.”

According to The Buffalo News, the NHL trade deadline was as quiet as it's been in years. Darcy Regier, however, feels a few messages were sent loud and clear in Buffalo.

By adding Brad Boyes, the Sabres showed they have the ability to compete for high-priced talent in the future. By keeping Tim Connolly, the team is expected to compete on the ice this season.

They were messages the general manager was thrilled to deliver.

"We decided to add and keep the players we have, and not just stay in the playoff hunt but get in and do as much damage as we can," Regier said Monday. "For us to be able to add someone that is going to contribute offensively ... it's important, and it's an important message to send to the players as well."

The News relays that the decisions at new owner Terry Pegula's first deadline were well-received by the Sabres, who have a chance to move into the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot tonight when they visit the New York Rangers.

"What else can you ask for than an owner who wants to really win?" left wing Thomas Vanek said. "For us, it's great. Now we just have to rise up to it."

Boyes, the former 43-goal scorer who came from St. Louis for a second-round pick, met his new teammates Monday afternoon.

"I've been brought in to help with this playoff push, and that's what I plan to do," said Boyes, a 28-year-old native of the Toronto area who is energized by his new location and the chance at the postseason. "That part's pretty cool for me, being able to be so close to home. That part aside, I'm looking forward to getting to a team that's going to be in the playoffs, that plays the way that they do and in a city that ... they love their hockey here."

The move for Boyes showed the Sabres really have shed the dollar-for-dollar philosophy adhered to by prior ownership. The right winger is under contract for next season with a salary cap hit of $4 million.

"We were fortunate enough to be able to take that contract and look at it and blend it into our team and say, 'With the coaching staff and maybe the teammates we can get his numbers up,' " Regier said. "We're in a position to take that risk."

Boyes is eager to show he can return to the type of player who recorded 76 goals and 137 points from 2007 to 2009. He has 12 goals and 41 points in 62 games this season. He's been traded four times and hopes the experiences have shown him how to quickly mesh with a new team.

"I know I don't want to be just sitting back and waiting for something to happen and just kind of look around and seem nervous in a new surrounding. Now it's step to the forefront," said Boyes, who admires coach Lindy Ruff's offensive system. "It's definitely a lot more my style than it was in St. Louis. That's good. If guys have skill and talent, let them use them."

Boyes will use his talent alongside Connolly, his old teammate. They played junior hockey together in Erie, Pa.

"I remember when we got to play together we had a lot of success, and it was awesome," Boyes said.

The Columbus Dispatch points out that when Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson and his staff arrived at Nationwide Arena yesterday at around 8 a.m., the hope of a blockbuster trade still flickered. But when the asking price for Dallas centre Brad Richards, Edmonton winger Ales Hemsky and others remained in an outrageous stratosphere, Howson's objective at the NHL's trade deadline was altered.

Around 10 a.m., the Phoenix Coyotes entered the picture and a significant deal of a smaller scale quickly came to fruition.

The Blue Jackets traded defenceman Rostislav Klesla - the franchise's first draft pick and the last on-ice link to the 2000-01 inaugural season - to the Coyotes in exchange for winger Scottie Upshall and defenceman Sami Lepisto. The Jackets also sent minor-league forward Dane Byers to the Coyotes.

The trade gives the Blue Jackets depth at both ends of the ice for what they hope is a push toward the playoffs. It also gives them financial flexibility and a long-awaited chance to reconfigure the blue line as soon as this offseason.

"We wanted to improve our mobility and add offence, and that's what we got in this deal," Howson said. "This was about now, about trying to give our team a little boost here as we try to make the playoffs."

The Dispatch notes that Upshall and Lepisto were flying from Phoenix to Vancouver late last night to join the Blue Jackets. They are expected to make their Blue Jackets debuts tonight against the Canucks.

"I see much opportunity for myself in Columbus," Upshall said. "We're right there in the standings and we've got games in hand on most of the teams in front of us. So let's go, let's take this as far as we can take it."

Upshall is a high-energy winger with a scoring touch that allows him to play at times in the top six. He is on pace for a career-high 21 goals this season.

In 2002, the Blue Jackets considered drafting Upshall with the No. 3 overall pick, director of hockey operations Don Boyd said. Instead, they traded the pick, moved up to No. 1 and took Rick Nash.

"(Upshall is) sandpaper," coach Scott Arniel said. "He's hard to play against, he gets under the skin of people, and he has the scoring touch to go along with it. With his speed and skill, he should fit in well here."

The article believes that Arniel's system, built on speed and tenacity and aggression, caught Upshall's attention when Phoenix played the Blue Jackets earlier this season.

"I keep it first class on the ice. Always classy," Upshall said. "But I go out on the edge, too. I try to play every game like it's a playoff game."

Lepisto, 25, is more of a mystery. He is billed as a puck-moving defenseman, but is not offensively gifted, a key distinction.

"The best way to describe him is he's a bigger version of Russ," Arniel said, referring to Jackets defenseman Kris Russell. "He's a great skater with great mobility, but he's a bigger-bodied guy. He shoots the puck well."

"We're at the cap," Wings GM Ken Holland explained on WDFN-AM 1130 Detroit, as relayed via Michigan Live, when noting that being so close to the salary cap space left them with few trade options. Instead, the return of several injured players will act as trade deadline additions. "It was a decision that we made. Any deal that we had to make was gonna be 'dollar-in, dollar-out,' and try to upgrade on the players we had. We couldn't add to the team that we had.

"So we think that ... adding a Mike Modano here at the trade deadline, getting Brad Stuart back 10 days ago are going to ultimately be the additions."

The Edmonton Journal reports that the Oilers dealt Penner to the Kings for young defenceman Colten Teubert, as well as a first-round draft pick in 2011 and a 2012 conditional third-round pick.

“I’m sad to leave,” said Penner. “Like everybody here, I felt we were building something together.”

Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini, who did not seriously entertain any offers for winger Ales Hemsky, offered this: “Over the last 48 hours, I had discussions with a few teams about Dustin, then it became quite evident (the Kings’ return offer) was going to fit in with what we’re trying to do.”

Hemsky, like Penner, will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2011-12 season.

Penner became an Oiler in 2007, after receiving a five-year, $21.25-million qualifying offer from Edmonton that the Anaheim Ducks refused to match. He said on Monday that there had been no discussions with Edmonton about staying with the club, but that it was something he would have considered.

“I don’t think there’s anything that can prepare you for something like his,” said Penner, whose 21 goals in 61 games leaves him tied with Taylor Hall as the Oilers’ leading goal scorer.

“I had a decent first year here. My second year is one I’d like to forget. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last two. I focused on becoming more consistent and being a player who could play in every position. I think I’m on way to that. I’m not where I want to be yet.

“It’s too bad I won’t be able to do that here. It’s a fun place to play.”

Penner conceded that of all places to be going, Los Angeles was the ideal fit. He started his career with Anaheim, he still owns a place in Newport Beach, and he’s played with defenceman Matt Greene and centre Jarrett Stoll. Penner and the Kings will be in Edmonton on March 29.

Los Angeles general manager Dean Lombardi said Penner had been in their sights the last couple of days. He liked the fact that Penner had been to the Stanley Cup final and that he would be a big body on left wing.

“There’s no way we were (going to give up a roster player). This was about making this team better right now,” said Lombardi. “To create a hole and fill a hole doesn’t make any sense. Not only does this fit in terms of a need, the left wing was sticking out, it’s not a cost-prohibitive contract. It fit for us in the longer term basis, as well.”

On the Teubert side of the coin, The Journal writes this: For a snap shot of Colten Teubert, the newest defensive prospect on the Edmonton Oilers organizational depth chart, picture a younger, lankier version of Matt Greene.

“He’s thicker than I am,” said Teubert, “but we’re similar players. We’re defensive hockey players, good team guys.”

Teubert, 20, will report to the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League on Tuesday. He’s already played 39 games for the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs, registering two goals, eight assists and 57 penalty minutes.

“He’s not ready for prime time yet, but he will be soon,” Tambellini said. “He’s not a lot of fun to play against, and we need a lot more of that. This is a piece of the puzzle that we thought was attractive.

“And we get two first-round picks in this year’s draft. Now we have significant options going forward.”

Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said the only reason he was willing to part with Teubert was because he had Greene on his blue-line.

“He’s come a long way. He was arguably one of our most improved players down there (in the AHL),” Lombardi said about Teubert.

Once the shock wore off yesterday, the six-foot-four, 201-pounder from White Rock, B.C. turned his attentions to the opportunity that had landed on his doorstep. Not only was he going to have a chance to jump into the Barons’ run for the playoffs, he was going to be a part of the rebuilding Oilers, and he was going to play with Jordan Eberle again.

Teubert and Eberle played together with the Regina Pats and for Team Canada at the world junior championship.

“We always joked about retiring together,” he said during a break in his packing.

“This is just great news,” he continued. “The Kings had a strong roster with a lot of depth. For me, to be going to the Oilers, and having an opportunity to be a part of that organization is exciting.

“But I’m not expecting to walk in and just get handed an opportunity. I have to earn what I get.”

The Journal notes that described by Tambellini as a rugged, reliable puck-mover, Teubert admittedly got off to a slow start this season. Going to the Kings rookie camp with his right wrist still in a cast didn’t help.

Teubert had off-season surgery to repair a broken bone and, as a consequence, lost some ground in his preparation for the season. He eventually got back on track and had been getting more opportunities and more ice time with the Monarchs.

The Miami Herald, hands down, wins the best post-trade deadline article opening line:

If the Panthers’ blueprint for the future includes tearing things down before they can be built back up, general manager Dale Tallon just drove a bulldozer loaded with nitroglycerin through his team’s roster.

The NHL’s trade deadline passed Monday afternoon and the Panthers, as expected, made plenty of changes. After trading Bryan McCabe and Cory Stillman in the days leading into Monday’s trade deadline, Florida did more than just redecorate as the deadline approached.

Gone: Dennis Wideman, Radek Dvorak, Chris Higgins and Bryan Allen.

Still here: Tomas Vokoun, Stephen Weiss, Marty Reasoner and David Booth.

“We stuck to our plan. These were very hard decisions to make,’’ Tallon said soon after the deadline ended, his Blackberry still ringing. “We kept our core together and kept our eye on the ball as far as the future is considered. We added picks, prospects and got younger. We really solidified our future.’’

The Herald notes that Florida’s moves gives Tallon a ton of money next year as the team has just $18 million in committed salaries. If the salary cap remains close to this year’s ceiling of $58 million, that means Florida will have $40 million to remake things — if Tallon is allowed to spend close to the cap.

“We have lots of money to spend,’’ Tallon said, eyes twinkling at the thought. “We have a lot freed up for next year. . . . We’re going to be very aggressive on the free agent market. It’s going to be hot and heavy come July.’’

All told, the moves Florida started making Thursday saved this year’s bottom line close to $4 million in owed salaries.

Nicklas Bergfors, who likely will be inserted into Florida’s top lines, will make just $225,000 the rest of the season. Bergfors, as well as some of the other prospects picked up, will have a chance to make next season’s roster.

Tallon said the Panthers’ direction is clear: Build through the draft, develop the organization’s prospects and add free agents to complement things.

Florida now has 10 selections in next year’s draft – including eight in the top 90. Florida did give up a fifth-round pick in the Dvorak deal but got more back as the day went on. Tallon says he’s not through stockpiling draft picks.

“The future is most important for us. Draft picks, getting younger and better and moving forward, doing what we did in the past,’’ said Tallon, who built the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks.

The Washington Post reports that Capitals General Manager George McPhee said Mike Green will be out at least "a couple of weeks" after the defenceman was hit in the head for the second time in two weeks Friday against the Rangers.

Green has missed seven of the past nine contests since a puck struck him in the head near his right ear on Feb. 6 against Pittsburgh, causing wooziness, balance problems, headaches and what the team termed an inner-ear trauma.

He left Friday's game after playing just 2 minutes 25 seconds against the Rangers following a check by Derek Stepan and flew home to Calgary the next day following the death of his grandmother.

"We're probably going to hold him out a couple of weeks," McPhee said. "We've been really careful when players have head injuries. We did the right thing with Mike and he probably could have come back earlier than he did and he felt great. Unfortunately, his second shift of the game [against the Rangers] he got drilled and got hurt. We'll be really careful; we'll hold him out longer this time - at least a couple of weeks, maybe longer."

Asked if Green suffered a concussion or another injury against the Rangers, McPhee said: "Yeah, he's had some headaches. So we've just got to be careful. He's back home now for a funeral and we'll know more when he comes back."

The Post notes that McPhee said Monday's trade for six-year veteran Dennis Wideman could help fill in the gaps with Green's absence and also the uncertain status of Tom Poti, who has played just 21 games this season while dealing with a groin injury.

In order to make room under the NHL's salary cap for the addition of Wideman, centre Jason Arnott and winger Marco Sturm, the Capitals placed Poti and Eric Fehr (shoulder) on long-term injured reserve retroactive to the dates of their original injuries, McPhee said.

Arnott and Sturm, by the way, are likely to debut on the second line with Alexander Semin. Check the nightly Live NHL recaps for full line combos.

Josh from Lloyminster: "Good Morning Chris,

I've been in second in my Rotisserie, no keeper, G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, GWG, W, GAA, SV% and SHO pool for the better part of the season. With the trade deadline approaching, our pool has seen some radical trades, and even weirder trade proposals.

One of my friends, who has been trying to get Rick Nash from me for the better part of the season, just sent me a trade that he feels will help both him and I. The trade would have me sending him my Rick Nash and Dion Phaneuf and would have me receiving his Claude Giroux and Dan Boyle.

As I said previously, I'm currently in second in the pool out of 10 members and am slightly hesitant to shake anything up, but this trade just seems very tantalizing... I am more than ok in Goals and have been able to hold my own in assists, but what I really need right now is +/- and a little bit more PIM than I already have.

It's a 2C, 2LW, 2RW, 4D, 3BN and 2G pool, with my team consisting of Martin Brodeur, Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Erik Johnson, Brad Richards, Brian Rafalski, Ryane Clowe, Semyon Varlamov, Lubomir Visnovsky, Ales Hemsky, Brian Campbell, Carey Price, Dion Phaneuf and Brenden Morrow.

I'd love to hear any thoughts you have concerning the trade. thanks a lot! Your Long Time Follower and Oilers fan."

Chris: Josh, the talent in the deal for a single season league is fine. I like all players involved and that fact that you'd be losing SOG in the trade doesn't matter since that category doesn't count for you. I don't really see any noticeable +/- gain for you given that the Leafs are coming on and Phaneuf playing well. There'd also be some risk with Boyle coming off whatever injury this is. Considering that PIM is a category you need, I also don't think dealing Phaneuf away (keep in mind his stats are showing with a small GP sample size since he missed time) helps the cause. Boyle should be a higher-end offensive option than Phaneuf, even with Phaneuf really playing pretty well, but you're losing some PIM there.

I don't think the deal would kill your chances, by any stretch, but I don't think it'll accomplish what you need and when in doubt I'd generally advise to avoid making a deal just for the sake of making a deal.

Oracle of Oro Valley: "Chris, Got a thought provoker for you. In a 10 team, 9 keeper(max 2 goalies) roto with 12 stat cat...the standards plus GWG; and PPG and PPA as separate cats. Am about 8 pts in the lead in a 120 possible league. 3C,3L,3R,4D,1U,2G,4B,4IR My team isn't as strong as the lead would suggest. Crosby,Edler,Malone,Perron on IR. Cs:Kesler,Couture,McDonald(L) L: Clowe,Laich,Elias(C) R: Justin Williams,Okposo,Hossa,Stafford,Ericksson D: Yandle,Rafalski,Harmonic,Myers G: Thomas,Rolosson,Price,Niemi,Nuevirth GP are 1 or 2 over on all positions FA McCabe,Wideman,Bergeron,Shattenkirk,McBain,Zid..Brassard,Vorachek,Frolik,Callahan, Ray Whitney,Boyes,Berglund GA and SV% are big weaknesses. Just got Thomas and Niemi in a trade. Picked Harmonic for PIMs. PPA,PIM and Shots are slight weakness. Know I am long on goalies and RW but all either are having good seasons or have keeper potential. What to do and who to keep? Thanks."

Chris: You definitely have some serious weaknesses up front with Crosby on the shelf. I feel your pain on that one. Good add with Hamonic on D.

I like the idea of the additions of Thomas and Niemi to help you for this stretch run (Niemi's new contract helps his keeper value immensely too), but you have a glut of goalies and can only keep two. That's a problem.

Neuvirth and Varlamov continue to be neck and neck in that race, depending on who's healthy. Price has been excellent this season. Roloson has been great with TB, but is still getting up there in hockey player age. You really need to see what the market is and make some moves to improve offensive holes if possible. Price, as an example, should be really attractive to one of the lower teams as a keeper goalie and should be able to land you a similarly young and worthwhile forward keeper. Maybe Roloson can net a short-term gain up front or a draft pick for the future. I thought you had Varly at one point, so maybe his new owner isn't interesting in having Neuvirth too. Not sure.

Otherwise, keep an eye on MAB if Hamonic's surge fizzles. Wideman too, depending on how Carlson continues to be used sans Green in Washington. Depending on Boyes' eligibility in your league, you may want to consider him for Laich and then move McDonald to LW if Boyes can go in at C. Normally he's W/C eligible. Since you have many RWs too (where Boyes plays - and will play in BUF - when not used at C), you might want to consider Berglund over Okposo. Berglund's line has been extremely productive for awhile now.