I just don't think the Devils gave up that much. Once in a while, all of the parts of a trade like this work out, but the Devils draft so well and the talent pool around the world is so deep, they should be able to replace these assets soon. Lamoriello knew there was no way his team could hang with the Capitals and probably the Penguins and Flyers in a playoff series. He had to get a goal scorer to go along with Zach Parise and make the Devils more difficult to match up against.

It still might not be enough to win the Eastern Conference, but I think it was definitely worth the risk. Once Kovalchuk gets hot and the Devils congeal, they could be really dangerous come playoff time. But you have to wonder if Martin Brodeur can stay fresh for four more months. In the end, he has to be their best player.

1. Scoring an empty-net goal seals the game. I want my best goal scorer on the ice. His desire to score often means a bigger defensive effort.

2. Ovechkin is a great skater and a hard hitter. He can help seal one-goal games late if he plays with defensive awareness.

3. He's one of the top two players in the game with Sidney Crosby. He can do whatever he wants!

4. It's the regular season. Get your top players some free points. It's good if they are in a good mood.

The Capitals have a 14-point lead in the East. Ovechkin is the clear-cut MVP.

That being said, hockey hits have never been more powerful, and thus dangerous. For some, it's a natural reaction to a violent moment by responding in a defensive manner. It's hard to see a "brother" fall and not do anything about it. It's a natural reaction.

But back to your point. I do think in most cases, yes, a player would lay out a teammate at the Olympics; in a small amount of cases, they would not. I don't think I could. When I played sports as a kid, I couldn't even look my opponent in the eye before the game. I certainly couldn't shake their hands. If I had any kind of "relationship" with an athletic opponent, I would not go all out. I just can't "wage war" against friends or even acquaintances. But I think I'm in the minority there.

The Penguins, healthy and just playing to their potential, are a still a Stanley Cup threat. No doubt. But I still think they need some help.

Mark Reedy was born March 25, 1991 in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. He was an engineering major at Michigan State who was intensely focused on his studies. He has a beautiful family, mother Marcia, father Cliff, and sisters Michelle and Megan. He was an award-winning diver, truly gifted soccer player and a member of MSU's club volleyball team.

Mark Adams Reedy was an amazing friend, son, brother, and person who touched the lives of anyone he met and knew. Countless people have contributed their favorite stories and meaningful thoughts of Mark over these tragic few days, and it's not hard to see the way he has impacted hundreds of lives.

Mark was my best friend since elementary school, and I considered him to be my big brother. He was the guy who thought of everyone but himself, offering to take me out on Valentine's Day when I complained to not have a date. He would send me text messages randomly to tell me to have a good day, or to remind me that he loved me. He walked me home from parties late at night to ensure that I never walked anywhere alone. Mark was just that sort of guy. It is hard for me to imagine going back to MSU without him: we did everything there together.

He had a smile that would light up any room, and charisma that could never be ignored. Whenever our close group of friends would start an argument, Mark would always be the one to say "guys, this is stupid. life is short. we all love each other, now let's have fun." His main concern in life was having fun and he sought out to do that every day.

We all swore Mark woke up every morning (even though he was always really grumpy) with a mission to do anything he could to enjoy life. Mark encompassed every good quality that a person could have, and was the most caring, compassionate, hilarious man to ever exist. Mark had humungous dreams, such as skydiving, bungee jumping, or traveling anywhere he could. His ever-present iPhone thrilled us all with facts and jokes when ever he felt himself entering an awkward situation, in which he would "sweat", or he was the first one to be able to pull up a map when we would get lost on a night out. He hunted funny or exciting YouTube videos to show all of us, often receiving an eye roll from us or a huge belly laugh.

Mark was a dear friend to many from elementary school to college, and everybody is feeling the loss. He was genuinely an amazing person, and there are no words to truly show the person that he was. We all love him very much.

What follows are words delivered at Tuesday's funeral mass by Brendan's older brother, Patrick Burke:

Brendan lived in a world without walls, without limits and without boundaries. From birth, he had an unshakable faith that genuine good resides in all people. Along with that faith was hope -- hope that he could bring that good out from inside people and into the world by being open, caring and kind to everyone he met. Looking around this room, it is clear that he was right.



Brendan only had 21 years, but in that time, the sheer power of his love transcended everything. He was the hope of the next generation for the old, a beloved friend and role model to his peers, and a hero to the young. He was the roommate to the musical theatre troop and the teammate of the star athletes. He earned varsity letters and dean's list accolades. He spoke to the heart of an audience of millions, and to the courage of the high school boy who eats alone at lunch every day. He was strong and unyielding in his convictions, but soft, sweet, and gentle in their application. He was the best of the Burkes and the best of the Gilmores. He taught the teachers and he learned from the students. He was the face of a movement and will always be the soul of the family.

To many of us, Brendan's world is a dream world. Brendan had the courage to transcend cynicism and fear and live for 21 glorious years in that dream. His vision of the world was a spark that lit a fire of hope in so many people. That fire has not been extinguished by his passing. His memory will fan the flames of courage in all of us, inspiring us all to be a little kinder, a little stronger, a little better, a little more like Brendan.

Through all of us, his hope still lives and his dream will never die.