Mar 18, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla (12) skates in the Dallas Stars zone during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Flames 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Okay. Shoutout to Aaron Ward on what might be the worst night he’s ever had. Hope he keeps his job – he’s a good guy.

Anyway, the Calgary Flames have traded captain and franchise centerpiece Jarome Iginla to the Pittsburgh Pengu

ins for a 1st round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Ben Hanowski, and and Kenny Agostino.The season is over.

Seriously. It’s done. Just give the President’s Trophy and the Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh and let’s skip to draft day.Honestly, the Wings may as well tank now. Even if we make it to the Cup Finals, we’ll undoubtedly be facing Pittsburgh, a team with two of the three best centers in the world (don’t think for a second the Pens didn’t try to snag Datsyuk, though), 4 players who can score 40 goals in a season, three captains, and depth to rival the Mariana Trench. There’s no winning against that. Here are their forward lines:

Kunitz – Crosby – Iginla

Neal – Malkin – Morrow

Cooke – Sutter – Dupuis

WHO CARES – WHO CARES – WHO CARES

This may be the most unbeatable team since the 2002 Detroit Red Wings.

Speaking of the Red Wings, what does this deal mean for Detroit?

At first glance, things seem bad for every team in the league not based in Pennsylvania. Oh, sorry Philly, couldn’t see you in the standings behind THE ISLANDERS. Pittsburgh immediately becomes the best team by a country mile, and Flames GM Jay Feaster traded Jarome Iginla away for a 30th overall pick and two prospects nobody’s ever heard of. He set the price so low for rentals at the trade deadline that teams are gonna be counting their pucks one-by-one rather than just sending a full bag the other way in a deal.

In the Western Conference, at least.

But you can bet that Eastern Conference teams are going to do their very best to bolster their teams through any means necessary. We’re talking larceny, kidnapping, murder…but more importantly, overpaying for rental players. The league just became a seller’s  market – and eastern teams aren’t gonna be giving up annnnyyyyythhhinnnggg.

But Detroit might be.

Players like Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen just saw their trade value skyrocket. Teams in the east can’t avoid confrontation with Pittsburgh, so they’ll be doing everything they can to soften the blow. I made a half-kidding comment on Twitter earlier tonight about the Wings moving Filppula to Toronto for prospect Tyler Biggs. Now I wouldn’t even consider this deal…maybe if the Leafs throw in a 1st round pick or two. Maybe.

…So I’m exaggerating a little bit, but my point is that no matter where they are in the standings, now is a prime time for Detroit to become sellers. Teams will throw draft picks and prospects left and right to find playoff additions, and Ken Holland needs to make as many catches as he possibly can.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see moves of this ilk happen by the upcoming deadline:

1) Detroit sends Valtteri Filppula  to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Tyler Biggs and a conditional (upon resigning) 2nd round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft

2) Detroit sends Johan Franzen, Mikael Samuelsson, and a 2nd round pick to the New York Rangers for Chris Kreider (and then adds a 1st round pick, Drew Miller, and Valtteri Filppula to take Marion Gaborik back as well)

3) Detroit sends Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula to the Winnipeg Jets for Evander Kane

4) Detroit sends Mikael Samuelsson, Cory Emmerton, and Patrick Eaves to the Boston Bruins for a 1st round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft

Now, I’m not saying these particular deals, or even ones this big, WILL happen, but don’t be surprised if Detroit starts selling off and raking in some ridiculous trade value. And hey, if they suck and miss the playoffs, this is supposed to be one of the best drafts ever, right?

Okay, I gotta go to bed. I have an exam to fail in eight hours. Tweet me whenever: @dzkefalas (more…)

March 5, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings players celebrate after the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Even with the Western Conference standings very packed together, if the Detroit Red Wings win their next few games before the Trade Deadline they would be in a prime spot to add a player or two. The player would more than likely not add the top six forward talent that they desperately need, but could solidify the defensive corps or fill Todd Bertuzzi‘s role on the offense, currently filled by Drew Miller and Justin Abdelkader.

Mar 3, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ladislav Smid (5) against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Oilers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Ladislav Smid

Trade: Smid has a big body at 6’3″ 207 and is only 27 years old. He plays big minutes with the Edmonton Oilers and would be a solid 4th defenseman or a very good 5th/6th defenseman.  He would not cost very much to trade for.

No Trade: Smid’s offensive output is non-existent and only has two points so far this season. He will become an UFA at the end of the season. If the Red Wing are able to acquire Danny DeKeyser they will not target a defeseman.

Feb 17, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Anton Babchuk (33) passes the puck during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Flames defeated the Stars 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Anton Babchuk

Trade: Another big bodied, young defenseman; at 6’5″ 200 and 28 years old. He has a right-handed shot and an offensive upside, could replace Ian White on the Wing’s defense. In his first season with the Flames he produced 27 points and although he only played 32 games last season, he produced 10 points.

No Trade: Babchuk has been a healthy scratch for all, but two games this season. He will become an UFA at the end of the season and is not worth a rental price. If the Red Wing are able to acquire Danny DeKeyser they will not target a defeseman.

Mar 7, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Drew Stafford (21) skates with the puck during the first period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Drew Stafford

Trade: Stafford could be the power forward the Red Wings need and at 27 could fill Todd Bertuzzi‘s role for the next six to eight years in Detroit. He has a solid offensive upside and has produced 50 points in his last two seasons, one 30 goal season and one 20 goal season. He would, also, bring a needed right-hand shot to the offense.

No Trade: Stafford would cost more in a trade because he would not be a rental player and is signed through the 2014-15 season. He is being paid $4 million per season, which is a little bit overpaid, but not by too much.

March19, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Tomas Fleischmann (14) reacts during the 3rd period against he Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC center. The Panthers defeated the Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Tomas Fleischmann

Trade: Was drafted by Detroit in 2002 and has become a solid offensive force for the Florida Panthers. He is a young forward at 28 and could immediately step in and fill a role on the Red Wings’ top two lines and at 6’1″ 192 he won’t be pushed around.

No Trade: He will cost a large amount in terms of prospects or drafts pick to trade for and at $4.5 million through 2014-15, he is overpaid by the Florida Panthers

Mar 13, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames right wing Jarome Iginla (12) takes a shot against Detroit Red Wings during the first period at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Jarome Iginla

Trade: Iginla recently added Detroit to his list of teams he would waives his NTC for and is a very consistent hockey player; he has netted at least 30 goals in his past 12 seasons. He is a prototypical power forward and would immediately make an impact on Datsyuk’s or Zetterberg’s wing.

No Trade: Will cost too much to bring to Detroit as a rental player. He is 35 and his number of years left in the NHL are up for debate and will be looking for an expensive contract extension.

Those are the players I believe the Red Wings would target at the trade deadline this season if the price was right. Who do you think the Wings should trade for at the deadline?