COMMENTARY: CREATURES OF HABIT

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They’re creatures of habit, those hockey guys.

Unless you’re living under a rock this week, you know it’s NHL Trade Deadline time and this year’s deadline is Friday afternoon.

The usual suspects have gotten in on the action, like Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon who acquired one of the top players available on Wednesday: Calgary Flames defenceman Noah Hanifin for a haul going to Calgary, including a first round draft pick next year.

The Flames say they’re thrilled with the return, and they should be. That’s the good news. The bad news is, it’s Next Year country again in Cowtown.

But as usual, the Golden Knights are contenders again. Last year at this time, McCrimmon was active too, picking up defenceman Ivan Barbashev from St. Louis and goalie Johnathan Quick from L.A., via Columbus.

Then they went on to win the Stanley Cup.

You knew Vegas would be active this week. McCrimmon always is come deadline time, even going back to the Brandon days.

Meanwhile here in Florida, the Panthers added flashy winger Vladimir Tarasenko from Ottawa in exchange for a couple draft picks.

Many have asked my thoughts on the deal and here they are: this deal isn’t win-win as much as it is “Can’t Lose”. Tarasenko adds some scoring, but the Panthers didn’t have to give up anything from their locker room so therefore team chemistry won’t be affected.

When a GM says, “We may not do much at the Trade Deadline but if there’s a deal that makes us better, we’ll do it.”

That’s what Florida GM Bill Zito did here. Although last year, he did nothing and the team went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Oilers are usually in on the action too. Last year they picked up defenceman Mattias Ekholm from Nashville and that’s worked out well. On Wednesday they got forwards Sam Carrick and Adam Henrique out of Anaheim. The jury’s out on that move.

The Jets don’t want to be left out so we’re watching what they do today with over 24 hours still to go, the big one for me is goalie Jacob Markstrom who remains a Calgary Flame.

For now.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm & 5 pm on Game+TV, WQEE Radio, Podcast & YouTube Live)