Deadline day deals and deals made prior to the trade deadline day can make General Managers look like heroes or goats. Of the teams still alive in the playoffs, five were able to make key acquisitions in which the players acquired have played instrumental roles in the team?s success thus far. In the Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers picked up Sean Avery who was expected to be an agitator and has done just that while chipping in offensively (1 goal, 4 assists) and is being rewarded by seeing time on his team?s power-play unit. Avery is a much more mature and controlled player on the ice than in his Los Angeles days and is using this effective trait of his in the playoffs. Although the Ottawa Senators received a lot of flack for their lack of action during trade deadline day, they were able to pick up Mike Comrie days prior to the deadline day festivities. Comrie is a quick, talented player who has added secondary scoring and depth on a team that is filled with both. So far Comrie has enjoyed success on a line with Mike Fisher and might see himself with a chance to play for Lord Stanley, a far seen myth during his desert dog days. When the Buffalo Sabres traded away goaltending depth in Martin Biron and replaced him with Ty Conklin, the trade had many people questioning the outlook Darcy Regier had in place for his team. Regier redeemed himself though as he picked up Dainius Zubrus from the Washington Capitals. Zubrus has added speed, depth, and scoring punch to a team that many have predicted to win the Stanley Cup. In the Western Conference, the bidding amongst the perennial powerhouses started high as the Nashville Predators were able to acquire Peter Forsberg from the Philadelphia Flyers. Following the trade, Western Conference teams started to pick up big name players due to the Predators move, which has not went according to plan as Forsberg and his teammates are currently enjoying the early golf season. The San Jose Sharks were able to make two key acquisitions in Craig Rivet from Montreal and Bill Guerin from St. Louis. Guerin has not hit his regular season stride in the playoffs thus far (2 assists) but don?t expect this to continue, especially with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau as his centers. Unlike his counterpart, Rivet has managed to chip in offensively in the playoffs with 2 goals and 3 assists as he continues to quarterback the power-play. Expect Rivet?s improved play to continue for as long as the Sharks remain alive. After seeing San Jose and the Predators picking up star forwards, the Detroit Red Wings took a chance and got Todd Bertuzzi from Florida. Despite missing the majority of the regular season, Bertuzzi was effective in round one against the Calgary Flames but has not hit stride against the Sharks. Along with Bertuzzi, the Wings picked up Kyle Calder who seems re-energized after leaving the woeful Flyers. The Vancouver Canucks were apparently very close in the Forsberg sweepstakes but were unable to finalize a deal. However, the Canucks were able to pick up Brian Smolinski in hopes that he would help Markus Naslund get out of his year-long funk, something that has not panned out so far. General Manager Dave Nonis was not finished there though as he re-acquired Brent Sopel who has added depth to an already strong defensive core. It is no myth that picking up players before the trade deadline can either help or hinder a team?s playoff longevity. Above are the General Managers whose work should be commended, but there are plenty of other General Managers who are scratching their heads as they tee off. Side note: For all of you who don?t know what?s going on with Shane Doan right now, Canadian politicians are asking that his captaincy of Team Canada at the World Championships be removed because of allegations that he delivered a slur to a French Canadian referee several years ago. The incident was reviewed by the National Hockey League, who found Doan innocent. Is it just me, or does Canada have more important things to be dealing with than claiming Shane Doan?s letter be removed from his jersey?