Big Apple Sports: All New York Sports. All The Time.

The NHL Trade Deadline is fast approaching today, and we here at Big Apple Sports will keep you posted on whether the Rangers, Islanders, or Devils make any big moves as soon as we hear word. We will also keep you up to date on any rivals that make any big deals today as well. Keep checking this feed for your up to date news.

11:20AM- Flyers acquire Vaclav Prospal from the Tampa Bay Lightning for Alexandre Picard and Draft Picks

The Flyers have been decimated on the front line, so Prospal gives them a big time scorer. Although he scores in bunches and is very streaky, he has been hot as of late when it really matters. Solid pickup while sacrificing a small piece of the future at defense in Picard.

11:20AM- Lightning Resign Dan Boyle

This obviously isn’t a trade, but the Rangers had tagged Boyle as their number one priority at the deadline, and now he is off the market. Look for the Rangers to continue to speak to Toronto about Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe, as well as trying to convince Rob Blake to come east.

11:26AM- Devils Trade Cam Janssen to St.Louis Blues for Bryce Salvador.

The Devils move tough man Janssen to upgrade the defense. Salvador fits right into the Jersey mold of solid, defensive minded hockey. Great move, considering the only thing Janssen did was act like a goon.

Update: 1:11PM

Wow, tons of stuff is going down, but nothing that has directly involved any of the local teams or our rivals, aside from Buffalo trading Brian Campbell to the Sharks for up and coming Steve Bernier. It makes you wonder if the Sabres are turning it in or not, or just safeguarding against having a Briere/Drury situation where the Sabres end up with absolutely nothing.

Update: 2:22PM

Still no moves on the local front. Is this the calm before the storm, prices on quality veterans too high, or are the teams just happy with what they have? 48 minutes and counting….

Update: 3:00PM

Nothing as of yet, but as most of you know, trades usually flood in around this time. We will keep you posted.

Update: 3:00PM- Marian Hossa to the Penguins according to TSN of Canada

Wow, that really shifts the power balance to the Penguins in the east. Malkin and Hossa. And when Crosby comes back? What an offensive powerhouse.

Tim Sharobem adds (4:00 PM): Although there was some big activity at the deadline (and more trades could be announced later as long as they were reported to the league office by 3:00 PM) I cannot help but look at the trades that weren’t. Mat Sundin and Rob Blake refused trades which makes me wonder why anyone is given a no-trade clause. I’m not saying they don’t deserve it, it’s more of a philosophical question on my part.

Anyway the other big news was the Lightining deciding to resign Dan Boyle. Boyle would have fit nicely with the Devils and Rangers.

In a totally irrelevant point, the NHL trade deadline always makes me remember twice former Ranger Esa Tikkanen…I had to make a Esa Tikkanen reference on this blog sometime, sorry.