No no no! The Edmonton Oilers without Ryan Smyth is rubbish! Rubbish! I had really hoped that one wouldn't go through. And on the day they're retiring Messier, too. What a muddled up day to be an Oilers fan. Good thing I'm not one. And I guess I do kind of like the Islanders, but still, what a call to have to make. I suppose it could still be an arrangement they've made to get him more money as a UFA and pick up some young blood. Yeah, let's go with that.

The real trading tragedy this year happened while I was away, though, when my dear Flames dealt my favourite and my sister's favourite to Boston (a favourite dumping ground of theirs, apparently) in exchange for . . . two guys who play hockey, or something. That really blew.

Other ex-Flames of note on the move this trade deadline day: Oleg Saprykin to the Sens, Ville Nieminen to the Blues and Gary Roberts to the Penguins.

I think I may have just ruptured everything there is to rupture in the right side of my head. From the coughing, that is, not over trade stress.

So, in summary, rubbish trades and my head says "ow."