The trade deadline has come and passed, but not without all sorts of activity. This has been one of the most high-profile deadlines in recent history, as many big names were moved but others stayed put when they were not expected to. Here are the five biggest surprises of this year's trade deadline
Roberto Luongo traded to the Florida Panthers
The debate last season in Vancouver was which goalie would be traded and which one would become the Canucks' top starter: Luongo or Cory Schneider? Even though it appeared that Luongo was on his way out, Schneider was dealt to the New Jersey Devils the day of the NHL Entry Draft.
Tuesday, however, provided a move that made waves around the hockey world as Luongo was unexpectedly traded back to the team he came from Vancouver from: Florida.
One of the biggest storylines was that Luongo would be united with Tim Thomas whose Bruins defeated the Canucks in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final after Luongo made some questionable comments about Thomas's goaltending style. The reunion, however, did not happen as Thomas was dealt to the Dallas Stars on Thursday.
Mike Cammalleri was not traded
It seemed almost certain that the Calgary Flames would trade top winger Cammalleri to a contender like the Pittsburgh Penguins or Los Angeles Kings. After all, the Flames are in the process of rebuilding, and getting some spare parts for a player who could help out a contender seems like a win-win, right?
Surprisingly, the deadline came and passed and Cammalleri is still a Flame.
The Pittsburgh Penguins did not make a major move
Ok, maybe you consider Marcel Goc or Lee Stempniak a big-name player. Maybe you don't. Nevertheless, the Penguins did not address any of their needs like adding a top winger or some defense. In a tough Eastern Conference that only got tougher on deadline day, the Penguins' road to the Stanley Cup just got much tougher.
Ryan Kesler was not traded
Kesler was one of the players that the Penguins seemed to be very keen on based on the rumors. He was clearly the biggest name on the trading block, but nobody sent Vancouver an offer worthy of causing the Canucks to pull the trigger. Also, the stakes for Kesler rmay be higher this offseason, and the Canucks may be able to yield an even bigger return for their top center.
Martin St. Louis traded for Ryan Callahan
There were whispers of this trade going on for a week or so after St. Louis reportedly wanted out of the city he has played in for most of his career, but seeing Martin St. Louis in a jersey that is not black and blue is a surprise nonetheless.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers are two of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, yet both participated in a captain-for-captain trade: something that is rarely ever seen, especially between two probable playoff teams.
Callahan was rumored to be very close to signing an extension with the Rangers this morning, but those plans obviously backfired and he was sent packing to a place with warmer weather than the Big Apple.