Prepare Yourself for NHL Trade Deadline

Just setting the table for Monday, when hockey talk is served up fresh and hot, that is, if you know where to get it.

On cable, those of you who get the NHL Network can tap in to the day's activities. That network will grab the feed of TSN from Canada and bring it right to you. Usually, the NHL's website will do some sort of production. Here is a detailed plan for the website and the network. TSN treats the day like the main U.S. news networks take on a presidential election.

A lot of talking heads, projections, graphics and analysis, and that is before anything happens. And when a trade occurs, look out.

If you don't get the NHL Network (And why not? What are you waiting for?), you can go to the TSN website and pick up the audio feed and the live trade tracker there. Actually, for those of you who are employed and would like to stay that way, the audio feed and popup trade tracker is the best way to go.

For the most part, you really don't need to see these guys. And, more important, your boss doesn't need to see you seeing them either.

Another way to go is via Twitter. Signing up for an account is free. Once you do, just start plugging in some names of the top or self-proclaimed top hockey writers, columnists and TV commentators. Find the ones you like and start following them.

Like trading cards: Helene Elliott, got it. Bob McKenzie, got it. James Duthie, got it. Michael Russo, got him, too. Also Pierre LeBrun. Following them is better than the radio. They get the story and you get it quickly, and in no more than 140 characters. No adjective-crazy prose here. Save that for the dying newsprint publications, who will give you 2,000 words without saying anything.

Another site to have is CapGeek, which pays close attention to all things related to the NHL's salary cap. You can also follow CapGeek on Twitter.

And once you identify the Tweets you want to follow, that will lead to suggestions on more interesting hockey talk to get in on. It's easy, it's free and it's addictive.

Warning, some newsprint reporters tend to think Twitter is a place to work on their weak standup comedy skills. Case in point, David Shoalts and Damian Cox. Both spend more time taking shots. Very little news passes through these accounts.

Now get to work, get your links and Twitter feeds, and get yourself ready for full day of hockey talk.

Building Up or Tearing Down

We here in the Lounge feel for those of you who support teams at the bottom of the NHL totem pole.

Your team's logo, which once danced near the top after the lockout, now being crushed by the weight of a a few plans gone bad, or a promising spring that turned out to be a cruel hoax.

Carolina and Edmonton, you have had a hard year, perhaps a few for one more than the other. And yet, on this day, 24 hours removed from the trade deadline, you hear someone on the radio or television saying you might need to be patient while your team starts (Yes, I heard it described this way on television) to build an organization. Patience. (Again, I actually heard someone say that fans needed to be patient in Edmonton.) It's a virtue when you only have to preach it and not use it.

I feel for you, Edmonton. You had some good times. And yet the talent parade continues to the airport, across city limits, to other balance sheets.

Scratch a few names off the list. No roster is set in stone. And even those names can be removed with a little misguided hard work.

I say it's time to hold your general managers accountable. Look at it this way, either you get in your GM's grill and say, "What have you been thinking!" or you can wait, privately grouse, and hope for divine intervention.

It's sure worked in Toronto. Oilers fans. Hurricanes fans. It's time for you to have a say in the architect, the plan and the price to be paid. If you're going to be stuck with the bill, you might as well speak up.

Here's a shot and a beer for you in the Lounge.

The 6 PM Trade Deadline Update

Does anybody remember when the Detroit Red Wings drafted Anders Eriksson?

Well, clearly the New York Rangers do. They grabbed Eriksson from the Phoenix Coyotes, sending goaltender Miika Wiikman, a boatload of vowels, and a seventh-round pick to the Valley of the Sun.

The Coyotes made a deal with the Anaheim Ducks, landing forward Petteri Nokelainen. Headed to Orange County is a sixth-round draft pick.

That is it. Thanks for checking into the Lounge on trade deadline day. Now I'm going to check out what we have on the top shelf. I think I need a drink, or two.

As for you, our dear patrons of the Lounge, please offer your thoughts on any one of the trades today. Your input is encouraged.

Thanks for dropping in.

More Trade Reports After Four

The Calgary Flames have added defenseman Steve Staios, sending defenseman Aaron Johnson and a third-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers.

The Colorado Avalanche have forward Stephane Yelle back in the fold, along with forward Harrison Reed. Headed to Carolina is forward Cedric-Lalonde-McNicoll along with a sixth-round pick.

Phoenix now has forward Alexandre Picard, having sent forward Chad Kolarik to Columbus.

Almost time for my break here in the Lounge. Jackson Browne is singing for all 30 NHL general managers right now.

Updating the Trade Updates

More trades have been approved. Vancouver lands defenseman Andrew Alberts, sending a third-round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Florida Panthers have added defenseman Mathieu Roy. The cost was forward Matt Rust, who goes to Columbus.

Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky is returning to Southern California. The Edmonton Oilers have traded Visnovsky, a former Los Angeles King, to the Anaheim Ducks. Headed to Alberta is defenseman Ryan Whitney. Lubo is a great addition to the Ducks.

Toronto has grabbed defenseman Chris Peluso from Pittsburgh, which will receive a sixth-round pick.

Forward Dustin Boyd is now with the Nashville Predators, who sent a fourth-round pick to the Calgary Flames.

Anaheim's Crease Grows Crowded

The Anaheim Ducks have added goaltender Joey MacDonald to their roster, sending a seventh-round pick in the 2011 draft to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are cleaning house.

After Hours Trade Reports Are In

The first of the trades to trickle in after the deadline involves forward Lee Stempniak, who is moving to the Phoenix Coyotes from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who will pocket a fourth- and a seventh-round pick along with defenseman Matt Jones.

Another trade comes out of Washington, which sends defenseman Brian Pothier, forward Oskar Osala and a second-round pick to Carolina for defenseman Joe Corvo.

Los Angeles has grabbed forward Fredrik Modin from Columbus, which is slated to receive the always informative future considerations. Check is in the mail.

Jurcina Moving Back to Washington

The Columbus Blue Jackets have dealt defenseman Milan Jurcina to the Washington Capitals for a sixth-round pick. And with that, the trade deadline is 7 minutes away.

And after that deadline, expect more than a few trades to be announced. All trades need to be approved by the National Hockey League before they can be announced and before the players can be informed of their movement.

Sometimes the trickle of trade information continues right up to 5 pm Eastern. We shall see.

Atlanta Swaps Picks for MacArthur

Left wing Clarke MacArthur is joining the Atlanta Thrashers, who have sent a third- and fourth-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres.

Another body for Atlanta, which is trying to survive the departure of Ilya Kovalchuk.

Buffalo Grabs Raffi Torres

Defenseman Nathan Paetsch and a second-round pick are now property of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have sent forward Raffi Torres north to help the playoff drive of the Buffalo Sabres.

Settling the Package on Schneider Deal

The Vancouver Canucks and Phoenix Coyotes have settled on the return for placing defenseman Mathieu Schneider in Arizona. A conditional sixth-round pick and defenseman Sean Zimmerman are now the property of the Canucks.

The Lounge now considers this transaction closed.

Ducks Add McElhinney to Roster

The Anaheim Ducks have traded for goaltender Curtis McElhinney. The return package owed to the Calgary Flames has yet to be determined. Have you seen McElhinney play?

Many have not, as Miikka Kiprusoff is the man usually in the net for the Flames. TSN now confirms that goaltender Vesa Toskala is the player headed to Calgary.

Eric Belanger Off to Washington

The Washington Capitals have grabbed forward Eric Belanger from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second-round pick. Another character player is on the move.

Two Deals on the Lunch Break

The Phoenix Coyotes have acquired defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Vancouver Canucks. The return package has not been determined, or is still being constructed. In any event, Schneider is off to another team.

Also on the move is forward Jeff Halpern, who is leaving the Tampa Bay Lightning to join the Los Angeles Kings. The return pack on this deal also is still to be determined.

The Lounge will keep you updated should the return packages be fleshed out on trade deadline day.

Small Deal Between Red Wings and Rangers

The Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers have completed a trade. The Red Wings have obtained forward Jordan Owens, with the forward Kris Newbury headed to the Rangers.

James Duthie of TSN said this trade would never be mentioned on that channel, except on trade deadline day. Smart move to get these guys some air time and some time in the Lounge. Here's Owens' stats with Hartford in the American Hockey League. And this is what Newbury as been up to with Grand Rapids in the AHL.

Avalanche Ships Wolski to Coyotes

TSN and The Denver Post have confirmed that the forward Wojtek Wolski is moving from the Colorado Avalanche to the Phoenix Coyotes. The Avalanche will receive forward Peter Mueller and defenseman Kevin Porter.

Darren Pang, assessing the trade for TSN, says the addition of Porter to the deal is a big one for the Avalanche.

Small Swap Between Canucks and Blues

The Vancouver Canucks get forward Yan Stastny from the St. Louis Blues, who are receiving forward Pierre-Cedric Labrie. Perhaps this deal is to stock the rosters in the American Hockey League.

Nothing here to shake up teams at the National Hockey League level. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

Scott Walker Headed to Washington

The Carolina Hurricanes continue to ship players out of Raleigh. Right wing Scott Walker is going to the Washington Capitals, a Southeast Division rival. The Hurricanes, according to The Hockey News is getting a seventh-round pick and possibly more. The Lounge will keep you updated on this transaction.

Aaron Ward Traded to Anaheim

Yet another defenseman has been traded. The Carolina Hurricanes send defenseman Aaron Ward to the Anaheim Ducks. The Hurricanes will get goaltender Justin Pogge and a fourth-round pick in return.

Ward adds yet another sweater to his collection and another sticker on his suitcase.

Boston and Florida Swap Players

The defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartkowski are now Boston Bruins. Going to the Florida Panthers are the forwards Craig Weller and Byron Bitz, along with a 2nd-round pick in a draft to be determined.

Seidenberg played for Germany at the Vancouver Games.

TSN's James Duthie points out that defensemen are on the move in the first few days of March. Look for more to be exchanged throughout the day.