For most of this 2011 NHL trade deadline day, we all sat around twiddling our thumbs in anticipation. After last year's 30-plus trades, the relative tranquility of today's 16 deals seems like just another news day in the league, and when you consider that only two of the day's deals can be considered "major moves," you end up with one of the biggest letdowns in recent deadline history.
Still, 35 players found new homes today in those 16 deals on this Monday, and since all of that movement can be confusing, we'll try to make it a little digestible.
First, deals that impact NHL rosters...
The Devils traded forward Jason Arnott to the Capitals for faceoff king and forward David Steckel and a second-round pick in the 2012 draft.
Dustin Penner was traded South to the likely-playoff-bound Los Angeles Kings. The Edmonton Oilers continued their rebuilding process by trading for the Kings' first-round pick in the upcoming June draft plus a conditional second-rounder in 2012 and defensive prospect Colton Teubert.
The Phoenix Coyotes traded versatile winger Scottie Upshall and defenseman Sami Lepisto to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the only remaining original Blue Jacket, defenseman Rostislav Klesla. Forward Dane Byers, a veteran of a whopping six NHL games, also swapped from the Columbus organization to Phoenix. He's expected to join the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL.
It was the first deal of the day: Florida forward Radek Dvorak was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers for Niclas Bergfors and Patrick Rissmiller. A fifth-rounder in 2011 also found its way to Atlanta in the deal.
Florida traded defenseman Dennis Wideman to the Capitals in exchange for low-level minor league prospect Jake Hauswirth and a third-round pick in 2011. Salary dump for the Panthers, defensive depth for the Caps.
Maxim Lapierre joined his third NHL club of the season when the Anaheim Ducks traded him to the Vancouver Canucks along with the coolest name on this deadline day, forward prospect MacGregor Sharp. Heading to Anaheim are versatile AHLer Joel Perrault and a third round pick this year.
Chicago said they would be aggressive today and they did make a move to upgrade their defense, trading AHL prospect Ryan Potulny and a second-round 2011 pick to the Ottawa Senators for Chris Campoli and a conditional seventh-round pick.
Dale Tallon and the Panthers traded for forward Sergei Samsonov from the Carolina Hurricanes for depth defenseman Bryan Allen.
The Panthers traded Chris Higgins to the Canucks for young defensive prospect Evan Oberg and a third-round pick in 2011.
Like the Flames did in 1980, Fredrik Modin will move from Atlanta to Calgary. The Thrashers traded him for a seventh-round pick in this year's draft.
Brad Winchester was traded from the St. Louis Blues to the Anaheim Ducks for a third-round pick in 2012.
MINOR LEAGUE DEALS
Minor league forward Tom Sestito was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers by the Columbus Blue Jackets. In return, the Jackets get AHL forward Greg Moore and unsigned 2010 draft pick Michael Chaput.
The Bruins acquired AHL goalie Anton Khudobin from the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Jeff Penner and forward Mikko Lehtonen. Minor league deal.
The Atlanta Thrashers acquired defenseman Brett Festerling in exchange for goaltender Drew MacIntyre.
John Mitchell, who had played in 23 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, was traded to the New York Rangers for a seventh-round pick in 2012. The Rangers could use him as an extra forward.
The Edmonton Oilers organization acquired defenseman Kevin Montgomery from the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Shawn Belle.
SIGNINGS
Chris Phillips signed with the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night, eliminating trade rumors and assuring that he'll spend the next three years with the only NHL club he's ever known.
Jimmy Howard signed a two-year extension with the Detroit Red Wings, solidifying Detroit's situation in the crease.
Justin Williams signed a contract extension with the Los Angeles Kings. He'll be there for four more years, where he'll earn $14.6 million.
Mark Stuart signed a three-year contract extension with the Atlanta Thrashers.
For all the news, commentary and analysis from this NHL trade deadline day, be sure to check SB Nation's Trade Deadline Hub. Stick right here for more coverage and analysis of all the day's deals.