It was an insignificant NHL Trade Deadline

Having a day to reflect on the NHL Trade Deadline, I've come to the same conclusion many hockey analysts have: it was an insignificant day. Most NHL teams ended up trading depth players for mid-level draft picks or mid-level prospects.

Don't get me wrong, that's not to say that some of these deals won't have huge future implications as a prospect blooms or a draft pick pans out. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery for a player to break through.

The most significant deals came from the Boston Bruins who acquired Denis Seidenberg, the Ducks trading Ryan Whitney to the Edmonton Oilers for Lubomir Visnovsky, the Washington Capitals acquiring Joe Corvo, and the Phoenix Coyotes trading Peter Mueller for Wojtek Wolski from the Colorado Avalanche.

The names aren't huge, but the deals still added important depth for each team. For general managers, the toughest part about trade deadline day is the ability to add a player without greatly affecting team cohesion. Luckily, most of this year's trades won't hurt anyone's locker room.

The most compelling trade was Wojtek Wolski for Peter Mueller. Both players are young stars with potentially huge careers ahead. Either one could bust out for a 30 goal season or fade into oblivion. In my opinion, this is the key deal to watch down the road.

It may have been an insignificant NHL trade deadline at first glance, but only time will tell how unimportant the 2010 deadline will remain.

Follow Instant Replay on Twitter.

Brian Burke shows that family comes first

For anyone who has read my column or blog, you'll know what I think of Brian Burke as a hockey man. I don't like his current team, I don't like the way he builds his teams, and I think he is an overrated general manager and hockey mind.

Regardless of what I think about his hockey status, it is refreshing to see a true family man in professional sports. Following the death of Burke's son Brendan, Burke has opted to not attend the Opening Ceremonies for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver with his Team USA hockey team.

Not only this, but when Brendan Burke revealed his homosexuality to the world, Brian Burke stood by his son, publicly stating his love and support. It didn't seem phony either, it seemed heartfelt and sincere.

From a 'manly man' who prides himself in creating tough teams, this could not have been easy. Or was it?

In a world filled with infidelity, abuse, and broken families, particularly in professional sports, Brian Burke seems to be an anomaly. He stood by his son in life, and now he is standing by his son, and standing up for his family values in death.

The story of Brendan Burke is a sad one. You can bet however, that missing the Olympic Opening Ceremonies is the last thing on Brian Burke's mind. I still don't like the hockey man, I still don't like his team, and I will never like his management style, but I have a new found respect for Brian Burke the person, and Brian Burke the father.

Brian Burke will rejoin Team USA in time for the start of their Olympic hockey schedule and the Toronto Maple Leafs following the Games.

Sure Burke has made mistakes; however, his actions have shown that he realizes hockey is just a game and family comes first.

Let the games begin.

Follow Instant Replay on Twitter

Toronto Maple Leafs trade for Dion Phaneuf

Well, talk about a shake up, the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded for Dion Phaneuf from the Calgary Flames. Other Sources are now reporting the Leafs have traded Vesa Toskala to the Anaheim Ducks for JS Giguere.

Brian Burke has added another peice to his puzzle of rough and tumble players, although at what expense? Phaneuf, who two years ago was considered an absolute lock for the Canadian Olympic team, has been struggling imensely for the Calgary Flames lately.

Giguere, a former Conn Symthe and Stanley Cup winner has struggled immensely this year and could use a change of scenery, especially after the Ducks resigned goalie Jonas Hiller for 4 years.

Personally, I think the trades will work out fine, but it will not push any team involved over the edge. This move will just spark Maple Leaf fans into again thinking they have a contending team when the reality couldn't be more incorrect.

Brian Burke really needs to find a way to trade himself and Ron Wilson. Then again, who would take them?

The Leafs traded two of their top 3 scorers, Matt Stajan and Niclas Hagman, as well as Ian White and Jamal Mayers for Phaneuf. In return, they got Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom, and prospect defenseman Keith Aulie.

Follow my Twitter Instant Replay throughout the day for updates on this story.