Two more deals Wednesday

Two trades so far today...

 - Kootenay has sent 18 year old defenceman Mike Simpson to the Lethbridge Hurricanes for a 2013 5th round bantam pick. This is not your usual trade deadline trade as Kootenay is giving up a guy who could have played another two and a half years for them yet, so this is not a standard move-veteran-who-won't-be-back kind of thing. I'd guess that on Kootenay's side of the deal, either they have another move in the works to bring in another defenceman and are clearing up a spot for that player, or they anticipate a bunch of young guys making the team on the blueline next year and are making room for those kids now.

For the Hurricanes, this is their 2nd deal in three days to bring in older players and size. Makes you wonder if the Hurricanes think they could make some noise in the playoffs - they're currently 5th in the Eastern Conference with 46 points in 44 games and are within 5 points of two of the teams ahead of them (Prince Albert and Red Deer). A strong stretch run could get them home ice in the first round and perhaps the ability to give an Edmonton/Calgary/Prince Albert some trouble in the 2nd round. They do have one of the league's best goaltenders and we know how much the ability to have a goalie steal a game or two is worth in a playoff series.

The other trade was more of what you expect at the trade deadline: the last-overall Vancouver Giants have sent overage forward Trevor Cheek to the defending champion Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for a 2013 2nd round bantam pick. Edmonton had an open overage spot and so do not have to move anyone out in order to make room for Cheek on their roster.

The pick Edmonton sent to Vancouver is actually Portland's 2nd round pick, which the Oil Kings had acquired from Portland exactly one year ago today in exchange for the rights to Cam Reid. Edmonton still has their own 2013 2nd round pick to use come May.