Downie to Colorado, Quincey to Detroit

On February 21st Steve Downie was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Kyle Quincey, who was then dealt to the Detroit Red Wings, essentially creating a 3 way trade.

The Trade:
Colorado acquires: RW Steve Downie

Tampa acquires: Detroit's 1st round 2012 draft pick and D Sebastian Piche

Detroit acquires: D Kyle Quincey

In Steve Downie, Colorado acquires a lot of grit and toughness but still has the ability to put up points as he showed in the playoffs last year with 14 points in 17 playoff games along with 40 penalty minutes. Colorado has been missing a player with grit who can scores since they traded Chris Stewart to St. Louis before last years deadline. Steve Downie is a tough player to play against and he could put up some decent number if he gets the chance to play with Duchene or Stastny. So far this season with Tampa Bay Steve Downie has 12 goals along with 16 assists and 121 penalty minutes in 55 games. With this deal Colorado now has room to keep Tyson Barrie and Stefan Elliot in the top 6, instead of having one of them playing in Lake Erie in the AHL.

Tampa Bay acquired Kyle Quincey from Colorado but then Yzerman shipped him off to Detroit for a 1st round pick. Tampa Bay is not having the ideal season they planned on, with serious problems in goalie they are in the rebuilding stage. After trading Moore and Kubina earlier in the week, they now have traded another roster player. The Detroit 1st round pick in 2012 will be in the latter part of the 1st round but it is still a first round pick and those are very valuable. Yzerman has realized his team will most likely not make the playoffs so it is time to shake things up. Tampa Bay also acquires from Detroit, minor-league defenseman Sebastian Piche who has 3 points in 22 games for Grand Rapids in the AHL.

By acquiring Kyle Quincey Detroit's back-end is now set for the run into the playoffs. With Stuart day to day Quincey can easily step into the lineup and get good minutes. Quincey returns back to the team who drafted him in 2003. Quincey has 5 goals and 18 assists in 54 games with Colorado this year. Detroit's team is looking pretty scary heading into the playoffs now with a bolstered back end, Detroit could arguably be one of the best teams in the NHL.

Colorado trade rating: B+, adds grit and scoring, makes room for Barrie

Tampa Bay trade rating: B, shaking things up, acquire a 1st rounder which have a lot of worth

Detroit trade rating: A- , acquires a good defensemen to bolster the back-end heading into playoffs