Toronto defenseman Pavel Kubina denies accepting a trade to San Jose Sharks

David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail reports that 6-foot-4, 244 pound Maple Leafs defenseman Pavel Kubina denied agreeing to a trade to the San Jose Sharks before Monday's 5-0 win over the Ottawa Senators.

Shoalts quoted Kubina's agent Petr Svoboda, who said that he received a call from San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson Monday afternoon. Svoboda was not able to reach Kubina until he was en route to the game with Ottawa, and Kubina said that he needed time to think about the offer.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher recounted a different story to the media gathered for a trade deadline press conference on Tuesday. After trading Wade Belak, Chad Kilger and defenseman Hal Gill for a collection of draft picks, Fletcher railed against an unnamed Toronto player who allegedly agreed to waive his no-trade clause, changing his mind after the win over Ottawa. Refering to the future plans for the Maple Leafs this offseason, "I can assure the fans that this team will be different than it is right now," Fletcher said.

The Globe and Mail's Shoalts speculates that the trade for Pavel Kubina may have been for Sharks defenseman Kyle McLaren, who is sitting out today's Sharks game in Columbus with a sore knee. The TSN trade panel mentioned that Toronto defenseman Tomas Kaberele and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Blake also declined trades to the San Jose Sharks. Earlier this season, Ottawa Senators defenseman Wade Redden made waves when he refused to waive a no-trade clause in order to complete a trade to the Sharks.

Thanks to James Mirtle for the link to the Globe and Mail article.

[Update] Fletcher long way from done giving Leafs a retooled lineup, 'Come July 1 we will have cap clearance' - Toronto Star.

The "Frozen Five" – the five Leafs who refused to waive their no-trade clauses at yesterday's NHL trade deadline – are not necessarily in a worry-free situation when it comes to finishing their contracts.

Interim GM Cliff Fletcher squarely took aim at the five – Mats Sundin, Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, Darcy Tucker and Pavel Kubina – when he said yesterday that the franchise will explore the expensive proposition of buying out some of those contracts.

"Absolutely ..." Fletcher said when asked about the buyouts in his post-deadline press conference. Fletcher has promised drastic changes to the roster for next season and stressed that in addition to the buyouts, those changes could come via trades that were explored but not consummated in the frantic 48 hours prior to the deadline.

[Update2] Sharks finally get their (defence)man - Eric Duhatschek for the Globe and Mail.

The Sharks, meanwhile, address a significant need. Campbell becomes, in effect, their No. 1 defenceman (he plays 25-plus minutes per night). A quartet of regulars on their blue line has three years or fewer of NHL experience (Christian Ehrhoff, Matthew Carle, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Douglas Murray). Last year, they picked up Craig Rivet from Montreal at the deadline, but then lost Scott Hannan to the Colorado Avalanche as an unrestricted free agent.

A lot of comments were made on deadline day that Brian Campbell is the first true offensive defenseman the Sharks have had since Sandis Ozolinsh's original tenure in San Jose from 92-95. Ozolinsh, Andrei Zyuzin, Brad Stuart, Jeff Jillson, Christian Ehrhoff, Matt Carle... the Sharks have developed a number of blueliners with potential to contribute offense from the blueline, but none of them have become a true #1 like Rob Blake, Nicklas Lidstrom, or a Scott Niedermayer.

Max Giese: Winners and Losers of the Trade Deadline

San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson was active once again at the trade deadline this season, swinging one of the blockbuster trades of the day to land offensive defenseman Brian Campbell from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Steve Bernier and a first round pick in 2008.

The trade makes the Sharks a better team for the rest of this season. The lack of a true puck moving defenseman was evident, and Doug Wilson landed the best available power play quarterback on the market. Campbell is a dynamic skater, with exceptional vision of the ice while carrying the puck. He will immedietly create offense with the man advantage, and will make every player on this team a little more productive offensively. Similar to what Joe Thornton contributes from the center position, Campbell is that type of player on the blueline, a player who makes those around him better.

For the Sharks to walk away as true winners at the trade deadline, resigning Campbell will be crucial. He is an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Sharks payed a steep price to acquire Campbell, considering the long-term. Steve Bernier is a blossoming power forward who should thrive in the Sabre's offensive system, with a coach known to be good with young players. Bernier was challenged recently by Ron Wilson, but Buffalo's Lindey Ruff could spark Bernier's physical and goal scoring potential.

Trade Deadline Winners:

Dallas Stars: Co-General Managers Brett Hull and Les Jackson pulled off one of the biggest steals in NHL trade deadline history acquiring Brad Richards for spare parts. Richards is a proven playoff performer, often compared to Joe Sakic given the impact he has on his team. Richards can elevate his play when it matters most, and the trade gives Dallas a dynamic #1 center to build around for years. The Dallas Stars are now a Stanley Cup favorite with great goaltending, a dangerous offense, and a rock solid defense.

Atlanta Thrashers: Despite trading away one of the NHL's top players in Marian Hossa, Atlanta did exactly what they needed to do. They fortified their lineup for the future with young talent. The Thrashers development system was depleted, and they desperately needed to add blue chip prospects with a chance at contributing on an NHL level. For the Thrashers to acquire a first round selection in a deep draft was a huge success, and to get four impressive assets all with considerable upside for a free-agent to be, this makes the Thrash one of the winners at this year's trade deadline.

Washington Capitals: Thanks to a weak Eastern Conferance, and an even weaker Southeastern Division, the Capitals stand a legitimate chance at making the playoffs this year. General Manager George McPhee did an excellent job acquiring a veteran goaltender in Cristobal Huet, one who can challenge an aging Olaf Kolzig. Sergei Fedorov could sparkle with Alex Ovechkin if given the opportunity. Matt Cooke is a super-pest that can frustrate some of the game's top offensive talents into mediocrity.

Trade Deadline Losers:

Tampa Bay Lightning: The Tampa Bay Lightning had arguably the biggest player on the trading block this year, Brad Richards. General manager Jay Feaster managed a failing trade deadline grade by acquiring "depth" for one of the NHL's most spectacular offensive talents. Players like Brad Richards might come along once in a generation for a franchise. Players like Jeff Halpern and Jussi Jokinen add 3-4th line depth, possible secondary scoring, and shootout prowess. Feaster should have demanded a package similar to the one that Atlanta received for Marian Hossa, and started the rebuilding process early.

Montreal Canadians: Choosing to pass on Marian Hossa wasn't a bad idea considering how hefty the price tag was. That said, choosing to move proven veteran goaltender Cristobal Huet, right before a playoff stretch run was puzzling. Rookie goaltender Carey Price is arguably the top young goaltender in the world right now, but it was very risky for the Habs to bet on a Cam Ward-like performance from one of their youngest players. Halak has been very good in the AHL.

Phoenix Coyotes: Phoenix general manager Don Maloney owes his team an apology for trading key forward Frederik Sjostrom for goaltending prospect Al Montoya. The Coyotes are the a playoff hunt in the Western Conference. To trade one of your fastest, most energetic players for a prospect that will likely be nothing more than a #2 goaltender several years down the road is a baffling move.

[Update] Trade deadline: Winners and losers - Ross McKeon for Yahoo Sports.

5. San Jose Sharks – Grade: B.
GM Doug Wilson took care of two problems. He improved the power play and probably acquired a piece that will fit now and later in Brian Campbell from Buffalo. Campbell was emotional on Tuesday, and the Sharks have to hope he brings the right attitude to San Jose. Having ex-Sabres Mike Grier and Curtis Brown on board could help. Campbell’s skating and power-play ability will make him valuable to the Sharks for years to come if they can get him to sign an extension like Craig Rivet did after the Sharks acquired him at last year’s deadline. The loss of Steve Bernier is not difficult to overcome, especially because the team expects Ryane Clowe back shortly. Brian Boucher was signed to back up Evgeni Nabokov, and now 21-year-old Thomas Greiss can go back to playing and developing in the minors. Wilson found a home for the loyal and hard-working Rob Davison on Long Island. San Jose picked up two picks (both seventh-rounders) and dealt a first-rounder.

[Update2] Trade Deadline Winners - Barry Melrose video recap for ESPN.

[Update3] Winners and losers - Jim Kelley for Sportsnet.ca.

You could argue that the Buffalo Sabres also did well in dumping soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Campbell on the Sharks. That won't play in Buffalo where the fans think Sabres management has been largely inept in handling the salary cap and their budget. The fans aren't wrong, but that doesn't mean general manager Darcy Regier didn't make a decent deal in getting former first-round pick Steve Bernier and a first-rounder in the upcoming draft. That's decent value for a good but not great defenceman who still has a way to go in regards to not giving the puck away in key situations and isn't at all physical in his own end, but when you tack Campbell's name onto a list that includes lost players like Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, Jay McKee and Mike Grier (most of whom left for nothing in return), well, you have to wonder if there is a commitment to winning in Buffalo or just a commitment to keeping prices down, ticket sales up and revenue sharing checks coming in from other money-market teams.

Buffalo's locker room was unstable with regards to management's commitment before this happened, it can't have improved no matter how well Bernier plays. The Sabres certainly aren't any better on defence either.

Trade Deadline Day: Sharks trade Steve Bernier and 1st round pick for defenseman Brian Campbell, sign goaltender Brian Boucher, trade Rob Davison

DEFENSEMAN BRIAN CAMPBELL TRADED TO SJ FOR STEVE BERNIER

THIRD YEAR POWER FORWARD STEVE BERNIER TRADED TO BUFFALO

SHARKS SIGN GOALTENDER BRIAN BOUCHER

The old refrain is that if you are born round, you are not going to die square. The San Jose Sharks have recast themselves this season as a methodical, defensively sound club. A few ticks behind the Dallas Stars for the top penalty kill (86%), and the third least goals allowed (151) combined with stellar goaltending by Evgeni Nabokov have positioned the team for a tight checking playoff run.

But the Sharks at the core are not a defense-first minded team. San Jose is a high pressure offense, automatic power play, very mobile defense, two centers down the middle large enough to be seen from the space shuttle. This season the Sharks have struggled to score goals, struggled on the power play, and struggled to break the puck out of their zone to create a quick transition attack.

Heading into the stretch run with only 20 games left, fans in San Jose should have been prepared for a big move by general manager Doug Wilson at the trade deadline. Wilson engineered the largest trade of 2005-06 for Joe Thornton. At the deadline last season, Wilson pulled the trigger on two of the biggest names available in Bill Guerin and Craig Rivet. This year Wilson acquired puck moving defenseman Brian Campbell and a 2008 7th round draft pick from the Buffalo Sabres for Steve Bernier and a 2008 1st rounder. Campbell scored 5 goals and 38 assists in 63 games played for the Sabres this season. TSN calls him the best power play quarterback available at the deadline, but adding Brian Campbell (the Buffalo Sabres captain in December) continues the Doug Wilson tradition of adding character to the lineup.

Two other moves were made at the deadline, goaltender Brian Boucher was signed to provide a veteran backup for Evgeni Nabokov. In 42 games with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL this season, Boucher registered a 23-16-1 record, .917SV%, 2.47GAA, with 4 shutouts. Boucher broke the record for consecutive shutouts with 5 for the Phoenix Coyotes in 2004, and is known for his ability to battle in net. Defenseman Rob Davison was traded to the New York Islanders for a 7th round 2008 draft pick.

The list of monster trades on deadline day is not a short one. Brad Richards to Dallas, and Marian Hossa to Pittsburgh provide more offense to teams already putting up good numbers. Adam Foote's trade to Colorado to play alongside the returning Peter Forsberg will give the 9th place Avalanche a solid chance to make the postseason.

No other team filled as big a hole as the San Jose Sharks on deadline day, and the Sharks filled two. In the short term, Brian Campbell will absorb large minutes and give Kyle McLaren a chance to rest a knee that has been giving him problems. Campbell will be expected to solidify the Sharks play in their own zone, which has been shaky at times, but he is also expected to resuscitate a lifeless power play that has suffered from a lack of creativity and lack of movement. 5-on-5, Campbell will be expected to turn the Sharks defense-first minded train around and get a quick transition attack moving in the other direction. The addition of Boucher is not a small one. Young goaltenders Dimitri Patzold and Thomas Greiss are solid talents, but they need more seasoning at the AHL level. Boucher can steal a game at the NHL level, and handle the load in case of an emergency.

A press release from the San Jose Sharks on the signing of Brian Campbell:

SHARKS ACQUIRE DEFENSEMAN BRIAN CAMPBELL AND A SEVENTH ROUND SELECTION IN 2008 FROM THE BUFFALO SABRES IN EXCHANGE FOR RW STEVE BERNIER AND A FIRST ROUND SELECTION IN THE 2008 NHL ENTRY DRAFT

SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the team has acquired defenseman Brian Campbell and a seventh round selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for right wing Steve Bernier and a first round selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Campbell, a two-time NHL All-Star (2007-08, 2006-07) is tied for seventh among all NHL defensemen in scoring with 43 points (five goals, 38 assists) in 63 games and was fourth overall on the Sabres in scoring. He was named Buffalo’s captain for the month of December.

Originally selected by Buffalo in the sixth round (156th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry D