NHL Trade Deadline 2014 Analysis: NY Islanders Among Biggest Losers at Deadline

As with every NHL trade deadline, there are invariably a number of teams that wind up on the losing end of deals. Here are the major losers of the NHL trade deadline.

1. The New York Islanders

After taking a huge step in 2013, the Islanders fell back to a disappointing season filled with mediocrity. Manager Garth Snow attempted a bold move earlier this year to trade Thomas Vanek for Matt Moulson, a first-round draft pick and a second-round draft pick. The hope was that Vanek would re-sign for the long term to play with Captain John Tavares. That did not work out and heading into the deadline, Snow was in a position of weakness as he needed to get rid of Vanek in order to avoid losing him for nothing.

Unfortunately he did just that at the deadline by shipping him away for Montreal Canadien prospect Sebastian Collberg and a conditional second-round draft pick; the team gets the pick if Montreal gets into the playoffs. If Montreal does not make the postseason, the Snow gave Vanek away for a prospect. Montreal is well positioned to get a playoff spot, but uncertainty persists nonetheless.

Snow recouped some picks for Andrew MacDonald, but the big trade was the Vanek move; Snow got that one completely wrong.

The Islanders are far from a better team than they were prior to the deadline; in fact the team has yet to resolve its goaltending issues and with major goalies being moved throughout the week, one must wonder what options Snow will have this summer. More importantly, will any of those options want to sign in New York next year? If the Islanders fail to get a solid goalie—or two—then the team may be a losing team in its final season at the historic Nassau Coliseum.

2. Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks shipped away Roberto Luongo at the deadline for a decent return, but the team essentially put a huge dagger in its postseason hopes. Now the team is relying on rookie Eddie Lack leading the way; the acquisition of Jakob Markstrom remains a gamble that could payoff. But these are gambles nonetheless and the team cannot afford anymore PR disasters. The Luongo situation was poorly handled and embarrassing. The Ryan Kesler saga was also embarrassing and puts the team in a tough spot this summer. Vancouver may not be significantly inferior on the ice, but the team's identity took a hit with all the drama.

3. St. Louis Blues

Ryan Miller is a world-class goalie, but the team gave up a lot for a marginal upgrade in the goal. Miller is a few years older than Halak, but does not have infinitely better statistics than Jaroslav Halak. Shockingly Miller's career save percentage is a .916 while Halak's is a .917. Miller had the better save percentage this year, but part of that was because he was facing significantly more shots playing for Buffalo. Is he really that much better than Halak?

However, the reason St. Louis lost that deal was not because of the goaltenders, but because of what they gave up. Chris Stewart is a frustrating forward, but he is a better player than Steve Ott. But the problems run deeper. The team also gave away a first-round draft pick in the package when a two player for two player swap would have sufficed in this case. Aside from that deal, the Blues did little else.

The Sabres were able to turn Halak into Michael Neuvirth and Rostislav Klesla; the former will be particularly useful as a potential No. 1 goalie.