Let’s take a lap around the NHL . . .

BUFFALO: The Sabres let Jay McKee, Daniel Briere and Chris Drury leave town without receiving anything in return. The team couldn’t let the same happen with Brian Campbell. After he turned down a three-year deal, Campbell and a seventh-round pick went San Jose for Steve Bernier and first-round pick. “You recognize that if you allow everyone to go to the unrestricted free agent market, and I’m not blaming anyone here, your draft cannot support the makeup of your hockey club,” Buffalo GM Darcy Regier said. “Subsequently, in the best interest of the club, you have to get something back. Otherwise, you won’t have enough players and you won’t have enough quality.”

ANAHEIM: GM Brian Burke stood pat at the trade deadline; however he let it be known that it was by choice. Burke said he was unwilling to deal his extra first-round pick (from Edmonton) and he didn’t want to part with prospect Bobby Ryan. “Anaheim could have been the star, by putting Edmonton’s pick in play,” Burke said. “We could have blown all the other deals out of the water, grabbed all the hype, but it was not prudent to do so because we believe in our group and I believe that pick will have tremendous value to this franchise over the next decade.”

BOSTON: It’s believed that Boston made a run at Marian Hossa at the deadline, before he went to Pittsburgh. But Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said the price got “too expensive.” Reports in Beantown were that Phil Kessel was probably included in the proposed deal. Staying put for now, Kessel said: “If you go to another team, obviously that team wants you. I’d have been happy either way. I like Boston. I like everything about this, so I’m happy to be here.  If it did happen, you know I’ve only been here one and half years, so it’s not like this is my home yet. I’m 20, so it’s wouldn’t be that hard for me to pack up and move. But I didn’t get traded. Obviously they want me here. I’m happy about that.”

MINNESOTA: Columnists in the Twin Cities beat up the Wild pretty good after the acquisition of the much-maligned Chris Simon. What does a team with Derek Boogaard and Todd Fedoruk need with Simon, anyway? “I know he’s had his issues,” GM Doug Risebrough said. “The type of player he is will help us. We’re a team that plays in a very competitive, very physical division. We’re probably one of the smaller teams in the division. Getting size is a factor, especially size that’s proven offensively. He knows the eyes of the league are on him and I think he’s really excited about a fresh start.”

EDMONTON: Goalie Mathieu Garon is 9-0 in shootouts this year, stopping 27 of 29 shots. Vancouver’s Ryan Kessler and Trevor Linden are the only players to find the back of the net against Garon. The record for wins in a  shootout is 10 (Buffalo’s Ryan Miller did it last year). “We play Detroit and he stops two of the best players in the world (Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg),” teammate Robert Nilsson said. “It’s like that every time we go to (a shootout).” The Oilers have 65 points this season and 13 of those have come by winning shootouts. The 13 shootout victories is a new NHL record.

DALLAS: After Tuesday’s blockbuster trade, newcomer Brad Richards netted a career-high five assists in his first game with the Stars. The five-assist game was a first in Dallas Stars’ history and the third tim in the team’s history dating back to their days in Minnesota. “As much fun as this is, it was sad leaving the people I grew up with (in Tampa),” Richards said. “It was tough, and you just want to g et out and play and keep yourself busy.” Stars coach Dave Tippett is playing Richards with Niklas Hagman and Antti Mietten.

OTTAWA: There were a number of reasons why the Senators fired John Paddock this week. He was too easy on the players, mishandled Ray Emery’s tardiness to practice and, oh yeah, the Sens weren’t winning as much. (After a 16-3 start, the club is 20-19-6). “As I told John, it’s shocking that it’s come to this, and certainly disappointing from everybody’s point of view,” said GM Bryan Murray, who will take over on the bench. ”But the bottom line in our game, in any professional sport, is winning. I certainly felt there was something amiss with the group and hopefully this will help.”

PHILADELPHIA: The Flyers’ franchise record 10-game losing streak is over. There was almost more good news for the Fly Boys, who tried to acquire Brian Campbell from Buffalo and Marian Hossa from Atlanta. Campbell went to San Jose and Hossa went to Pittsburgh. “We tried,” GM Paul Holmgren said. “We had conversations with regards to Brian Campbell and Darcy (Regier) decided to go in a different direction.” Holmgren said he thought the Devils and Rangers got stronger with the additions of defensemen Bryce Salvador and Christian Backman, respectively.

DETROIT: The Red Wings 1-8-2 in their last 11 games. They’ve been playing without Nik Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Dominik Hasek, Dan Cleary and Chris Chelios; Niklas Kronwall returned to the lineup for Friday’s loss to San Jose. “Over the course of the season, you’re going to have some tough stretches,” said Henrik Zetterberg, who leads the Wings with 35 goals. “But this is a little bit too long.” The Wings picked up Brad Stuart at the trade deadline, but could not find a forward to help them. GM Ken Holland said the team did have interest in Sergei Fedorov, but Columbus’ asking price was too high.

JR