The OilersLowe bucked the trend and went the trade route instead dipping into free agency. He added a former NHL MVP and one of the top five defencemen in the NHL in Chris Pronger and one of the league's best defensive forwards and top leaders in the game in Mike Peca. Both of whom will be at Canada's Olympic camp in less than two weeks. He basically gave up defenceman Eric Brewer and forward Mike York. Not bad.

GM Pierre Lacroix can put all the spin he wants on it but he basically swapped stars Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote with Pierre Turgeon and Patrice Brisebois. That's a major step down no matter who's counting, but it was inevitable after the Avs committed to the big salaries of Rob Blake and Joe Sakic.

To many, Bobby Holik was the best catch on the market after the New York Rangers bought him out last week. GM Don Waddell made Holik a No. 1 priority and closed the deal, signing him to a $12.75-million, three-year deal - acquiring a versatile two-way centre who can score and shut down the opposition's top centre all at the same time. He's a gritty veteran with Stanley Cup experience who will be invaluable to young stars Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk. Waddell must now re-sign Heatley and Kovalchuk, both restricted free agents.



Song for the day - "Chariot" - GAVIN DEGRAW