Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson

The lone blockbuster deal of the NHL trade deadline day 2011 (although there were a few blockbusters in the weeks leading up to it) saw the Edmonton Oilers trade winger Dustin Penner to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defensive prospect Colton Teubert, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft, and a conditional pick in 2012 (either a third round or a second round, depending on whether or not the Kings win the Stanley Cup).

The Edmonton Oilers are starting to see the return on their investment in their top NHL draft picks from the last few years.

The transformation of the once-proud franchise began in the 2008 NHL Entry draft when the Oilers selected 18-year-old Jordan Eberle with the 22nd pick. Just a year later, the uber-talented Swede Magnus Paajarvi was selected with the 10th pick.

Want to know how not to start a season? Look at the Montreal Canadiens for a perfect example. Booing your starting goaltender 15 minutes into his first preseason game? Classy. While letting in 4 goals in 8 shots isn't great you can't exactly blame him for 3 of them. Does Montreal want another Patrick Roy situation on there hands because that is where things are headed if they don't let up. How hard would it be to be Price in this situation?

There are several heralded rookies that could break into the NHL this season with the Edmonton Oilers, led by Taylor Hall, the first overall pick in the 2010 draft.

But the other four teams of the Northwest Division also have their own prospects ready to play a role in the NHL this season, such as Cody Hodgson (Vancouver Canucks) and Mikael Backlund (Calgary Flames).

The NHL season is just around the corner and one of the most exciting stories is the race for the Calder Trophy.  Last year, Tyler Myers emerged as one of the most dominating young players in the game and won the award in a landslide vote.

This year, there are many notable defensemen who could take the trophy again, but they will have to fight off a number of other young hopefuls.

Here are the top 15 players to keep a close eye on for the 2010 NHL season.

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After Oliver Ekman-Larsson—number one prospect of the Phoenix Coyotes—signed his entry level contract yesterday, it got me to thinking—Nazem Kadri will likely jump higher rated prospects in making it to the NHL next season.

Here’s an article from Chris Nichols of Sportsnet covering the signing.

Well, tonight is the night.

Do the Edmonton Oilers land the first overall pick and continue the restructuring of their franchise?

Could Columbus jump up and find another candidate to centre Rick Nash and get them back into playoff contention?

Will the Toronto Maple Leafs...

...become the new best friends of the Boston Bruins?

Yea, that's right. This is the day where the Phil Kessel trade will get brought up again and again, and will be torn apart more than a wedding dress at a Bridal Basics sale.