Mike Brophy

Veteran hockey columnist Mike Brophy writes Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday on Sportsnet.ca and appears regularly on Hockeycentral.

Ilya Kovalchuk has just four playoff games under his belt.

Acquiring the biggest name at the trade deadline does not guarantee playoff success.

Who would you rather have: Marian Hossa or Bill Guerin?

The answer seems easy: Hossa.

He's younger than Guerin and, truth be told, a better player.

The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Hossa (along with winger Pascal Dupuis) two years ago for Colby Armstrong, Eric Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a first-round draft pick (Daulton Leveille). The price was steep, but the Czech-born right winger paid huge dividends. After managing 10 points in 12 regular season games in Pittsburgh, Hossa delivered 12 goals and 26 points in 20 playoff games.

Unfortunately, the Penguins lost in six games to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup final. In the wake of that defeat Hossa skipped town to sign with the Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent. But that's the chance you take when you are active at the NHL's trade deadline.

Last season, feeling it had another opportunity to go deep in the playoffs, the Penguins were again active at the trade deadline; acquiring Guerin from the New York Islanders for a third round draft choice and Chris Kunitz from the Anaheim Ducks for defenceman Ryan Whitney. The moves worked out and the Penguins turned the tables on Hossa and the Red Wings.

Guerin did his part scoring seven goals and 15 points in 24 post-season games and was rewarded with a championship ring and a contract extension. Kunitz chipped in a goal and 14 point, too.

The point? It isn't always the best player that pays the biggest dividends. So whichever team gets Ilya Kovalchuk (assuming the Atlanta Thrashers move him if they are unable to sign him to a contract extension) does not become the de facto Cup favourite.

One of the biggest names moved at last year's deadline was Olli Jokinen. The Finn was acquired by the Calgary Flames from the Phoenix Coyotes along with a third round draft pick for Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Prust and a first round pick.

(Hmm, wonder if Calgary GM Darryl Sutter wishes he could take that one back?)

The Flames lost in the first round of playoffs and since then Jokinen hasn't exactly set the world on fire in terms off offence. Calgary is currently mired in a six-game losing streak and Jokinen has 10 goals and 32 points in 52 games.

Jokinen is further proof that the team getting the big name doesn't always enjoy the most success.

The Carolina Hurricanes, meanwhile, took a different path at last year's deadline in adding depth up front. The practical approach resulted in a run to the Eastern Conference final. The 'Canes brought in Erik Cole from the Edmonton Oilers and Jussi Jokinen from the Tampa Bay Lightning and while neither grabbed headlines with their play, experience paid dividends for a team with little-to-no expectations.

So who will be moved this year? In all likelihood we'll see some big names switch teams…Kovalchuk, Sheldon Souray, perhaps Tomas Kaberle.

Trade talks are already heating up. Can't wait for March 3.

CORMIER APPEAL

Are you surprised Patrice Cormier is appealing his harsh suspension by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League? Not me. Cormier was suspended the remainder of the regular season as well as playoffs for his brutal elbow on Mikael Tam, but he had the option of launching an appeal, which he has done.

Cormier's Rouyn-Noranda Huskies gave up two first round picks, a second round pick along with Michael Beaudry and Alexandre Mallet to get Cormier and Jordan Caron so obviously it'll do everything they can to get the player back.

That said; the league will not back down. By all accounts Cormier is remorseful for his actions, but his assault on Tam bordered on criminal and having made a huge statement with the suspension, the QMJHL would look foolish rescinding it now.

The appeal option is just a formality.

TOUGH CHOICE

The most hotly contested NHL trophy this season could be the Jack Adams Award for the coach of the year. There are a number of solid candidates for the award: Jacques Lemaire with the New Jersey Devils, Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres, Joe Sacco of the Colorado Avalanche, Dave Tippett of the Phoenix Coyotes, Cory Clouston of the Ottawa senators and Barry Trotz of the Nashville Predators.

As much as I admire the job the other five have done thus far, Trotz is the best coach who has never won an Adams Award. Nobody gets more out of less than the Predators bench boss.