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In a trade deadline that saw very few movers and shakers it is hard to go after a team as a winner or loser since very few teams made changes but personally I think the Avalanche were a team who should devoted the day to getting something done. When the Avs traded Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk on February 16th they were setting a precedent that the rest of this season will be devoted to change. Now I myself have been an Avs fan since five years old and in my 15 years as a fan John Michael Liles is one of my all time favorite Avs so trust me I do not feel JML needed to leave, in fact I don’t think that was the change that was needed at all. The Avalanche were in a position of power today despite their lowly record. They were one of the few sellers in the NHL and they had their chance to benefit.

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HEY THERE!! GREG SHERMAN HERE FROM CRAZY GREG’S TRADE EMPORIUM AND WAREHOUSE! I AM CURRENTLY OVERSTOCKED WITH GOOD PLAYERS, DECENT PLAYERS AND CONCUSSED PLAYERS!! I NEED TO MOVE THESE PLAYERS BEFORE FEBRUARY 28TH!

Need a Goalie?! WE GOT THAT!!

A Power Forward who just came off a stellar season?! WE GOT THAT TOO!!

A Defenseman with a crazy sounding last name that’s pun-able? YOU BET YOUR SWEET ASS WE GOT THAT!!

We’ll give them all to you for the low low price of:

ANOTHER back up goalie

A former 1st overall D man

A PK Faceoff specialist!!

WE’LL DO IT ALL IN ONE DAY!! NO QUESTIONS ASKED!! WE EVEN DEAL WHEN THE OTHER STORES ARE CLOSED!!

*****

Ok, that’s not exactly how it went down..but that’s how it felt.

In the same day that once mighty Craig Anderson was dealt to Ottawa in exchange for back-up Brian Elliott, Avs GM Greg Sherman pulled off one of the crazier deals we’ve seen this season.

The Avs sent Chris Stewart (yes..CHRIS..STEWART) and rookie D man Kevin Shattenkirk, plus a second round pick to the St. Louis Blues.

In return, the Avs got 2010 USA Olympian Erik Johnson and centre Jay McClement. They also got a conditional 1st round pick..but here’s the catch on that one, If the Blues’ pick ends up in the top 10 of this years’ draft, the blues have the right to keep it and give the Avs their 2012 pick. The Avs pick then rolls over to 2012 as well.

Initial reaction…STUNNED.

We’d be lying to ourselves if we didn’t think Stewart had lost a step since returning from his hand injury. Dare I say, he was playing scared. The same can be said about Shattenkirk, after his blistering start to his rookie season, which no doubt helped him get an All Star Rookie nod, his play has tailed off as well.

In a league of ‘what have you done for me lately’ both players fell into the ‘not much’ category.

I don’t know much about either players coming back in this deal, but I’m incredibly high on Johnson. Guy is a stud on D and at 6’4 220 lbs he is JUST the guy we can build our defense around. He’s also thrilled to come to Denver (from Adrian Dater..)

“It is tough to leave St. Louis, where I made so many great friends on and off the ice and played for a first-class organization. I am thrilled to be joining the Avalanche organization that has a terrific young team that I can’t wait to be a part of.”

As for McClement, I’ve asked Marc Parsons (@Mercus24) from Twitter to give us a 140 character scouting report…

good pk’er and face-off man

Oh look, both things the Avs need, I like it.

Both will play tonight in San Jose.

As for Chris Stewart. Your time here was brief, but damn, you brought us all to our feet. Good Luck in St Louis, please don’t hurt us as bad as you hurt the Blues all those times..

Kevin Shattenkirk, sir. Your name still ranks up there as one of the greatest EVER.

Are the Avs done? has Crazy Greg’s Trade Emporium made its last deal? Stay tuned.

- Jaye