Eastern conference. (Grading The Trades).(trading of hockey players)

Atlantic Division

NEW JERSEY DEVILS: It figures that G.M. Lou Lamoriello would make a high-profile deal that no one expected, and we're not talking about RW Stephane Richer. Getting C Joe Nieuwendyk and RW Jamie Langenbrunner from the Stars for C Jason Arnott and RW Randy McKay will help the team's offensive depth. Arnott had been in the doghouse after the team soured on his fringe play. Concern about breaking up the Devils' only successful line should be eased by the fact that Nieuwendyk will work well between LW Patrik Elias and RW Petr Sykora. Nieuwendyk adds veteran savvy, strong faceoff ability, good special teams play and the experience of winning two Stanley Cups that will help the Devils down the stretch. TRADE GRADE: B

NEW YORK ISLANDERS: Very little ventured, very little gained. G.M. Mike Milbury must be confident he made his splashy deals when he obtained Cs Alexei Yashin and Michael Peca and G Chris Osgood before the season, because Mad Mike made only minor moves. TRADE GRADE: D

NEW YORK RANGERS: The future is now for the Rangers. Why else would they trade a solid forward with good potential (Mike York) and two high 2002 draft picks? The return was high--D Tom Poti and LW Rem Murray from the Oilers and $10 million RW Pavel Bure and a 2002 second-round pick from the Panthers. The Rangers are counting on this being their year, especially considering they didn't deal G Mike Richter. Acquiring Bure means RW Theo Fleury and his distracting act will be gone after the season. TRADE GRADE: B-

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS: With the uncertainty of C Jeremy Roenick's leg injury--suffered the night before the deadline--G.M. Bob Clarke felt he needed a center in the worst way. And that's how he got one, as the Flyers sent highly touted G Maxime Ouellet and three high draft picks to the Capitals for aging C Adam Oates. With C Keith Primeau also hobbling, Oates becomes the top guy in the middle. But how long will Oates--an unrestricted free agent at season's end--stay? Clarke must think his team has a shot at the Stanley Cup. It had a wealth of 2002 draft picks to deal, but Ouellet is considered a top goaltending prospect. TRADE GRADE: C-

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: The Penguins got rid of D Darius Kasparaitis, RW Stephane Richer and RW Billy Tibbetts and acquired LW Ville Nieminen, D Rick Berry, D Jamie Pushor and C Kent Manderville. Nieminen and Berry add low-cost depth, but none of these players will see the ice time or have the impact of Kasparaitis. The Penguins are going young and cheap, the way of the Coyotes. TRADE GRADE: C --Paul Grant

Northeast Division