THE MOTHER OF ALL TRADE DEADLINES
By Lowetide
10 years ago
I cannot imagine a more effective trade deadline than Kevin Lowe’s in 2006. The Oilers of 2005-06 were an outstanding club sans goaltending, so Lowe went out and addressed it. Then he got busy.
The deadline deals in 2006 went like this:
- January 26, 2006: JAROSLAV SPACEK. The Chicago Blackhawks gave up the veteran blueliner for the rights to Tony Salmelainen! In modern terms, that’s like a thin Linus Omark. Spacek provided quality play down the stretch and deep into the spring for Edmonton.
- January 26, 2006: DICK TARNSTROM. Pittsburgh sent him over for Cory Cross (who was extremely disappointed to be dealt) and Jani Rita. In modern terms, Jani Rita was like a failed Riley Nash. Tarnstrom was in and out of the lineup through the spring but did play some good hockey for Edmonton as a depth player.
- March 8, 2006: DWAYNE ROLOSON. Kevin
Lowe’s 2nd most famous “good trade” cost a first round pick in 2006 and
a conditional pick—it was worth every penny. Roloson would backstop the legendary ’06 group
to the SCF finals before injury robbed him (and us) of the opportunity
to play in the finals (after game one). This was the type of trade you
make when close to winning it all–it would be a foolish move for such a
young and developing team (like the current edition) but it was splendid
at the time. The picks turned into Trevor Lewis and Spencer Machachek. - March 9, 2006: SERGEI SAMSONOV. Man he scored some big goals that spring. Samsonov had terrific skill and I seem to remember each of his four post-season goals as being huge. Edmonton gave up Marty Reasoner (who they could have used later, when Pouliot went down with mono) along with Yan Stastny and the draft pick that turned into Milan Lucic.
This year, the Oilers are on the other end. We can look forward to prospects like Salmelainen and Rita or picks that may one day turn into Milan Lucic (PLEASE baby Jesus!). It’s a distant bell now, but I loved that team and still do. When we get back there ladies and gentleman, it will be just as sweet.
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