Surprise Deadline Deal in New England

Brain Rafalski has been on the trading block for a couple of months, but there hasn't been any success finding him a new home.....until today.  On Friday morning he got the news that he was headed for Notre Dame in what was a surprise turn of events.   When he signed as an unrestricted free agent he knew that he was joining a team in a rebuild.  New England was one of the few teams to take a chance on him because he was injured at the start of free agency, but he has easily been the best dman on the roster this season.  Rafalski had a no-trade clause in his contract, but agreed to waive it if the right situation came along. 

In return, Notre Dame sent Patrick Eaves and Niklas Hjalmarsson to the Sharks.  Eaves joins Pahlsson and Spaling in what could be a new look 4th line in 2012.   The St Louis Browns are the only team in the league with a worse penalty killing unit right now, so changes in that department was inevitable.  However, both Eaves and Spaling will need to prove that they are ready for that role in training camp if they hope to see significant ice time alongside Pahlsson.  Eaves would take the place of Kirk Maltby who is only on a 1C contract and contemplating retirement.  In Hjalmarsson, the Sharks get a solid defensive depth guy for the left side.   It's uncertain exactly where he will fit in at this time, but he brings a stabilizing demeanor despite his young age.