Sometimes we forget that hockey is a game where guys strap blades to their feet and fly around at high speed swinging around some carbon fiber.

Last night, Richard Zednik was caught in the neck with a teammates skate, severing an artery and leaving a trail of blood on the ice. It was a horrifying sight, eerily similar to the one that almost cost goaltender Clint Malarchuk his life almost 20 years ago. Thankfully, Zednik reacted quickly, clutching his neck as he skated to the bench where medical staff was able to stabilize him before transporting him to a local Buffalo hospital. He’s said be be in stable condition and thank goodness for that.

- In trade news today, the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina Hurricanes made a four players swap. Ottawa sent defenseman Joe Corvo and forward Patrick Eaves to the ‘Canes in exchange for forward Cory Stillman and defenseman Mike Commodore. This is probably the biggest trade of the season so far, as the player market has slowed due to the new parity in the NHL brought on by the salary cap and collective bargaining agreement.

In Stillman, the Senators acquire the top-six scoring forward they were looking for as with the injuries to Dany Heatley and captain Daniel Alfredsson in the last few weeks have exposed them as a one line team (albeit probably the best single line in hockey). Although Stillman’s production has slowed as of late, he gives Ottawa another scoring threat and will likely relieve a bit of the pressure on the first line. Fantasy owners might have to wait and see as Stillman, who waived his no-trade clause to accommodate the trade, as his icetime may drop playing behind Heatley, Spezza and Alfredsson. However, if he ends up on a line with either Spezza or Alfredsson, his fantasy value will undoubtedly rise.

I’ve always though Mike Commodore was a rather underrated defensive defenseman. He will most likely play on the second pairing but is capable of playing big minutes as well. He’s a big (6′5″, 230lbs), physical d-man who will be a great addition to the Senators’ blueline.

Eaves has been touted as a top-six forward through his short career but has been rather disappointing. I know because I’ve drafted him in late rounds in hockey pool for two years now since you always think he might see ice-time with Spezza and Heatley so Alfredsson can play on another line. However, it never happens and he has a bit of an injury plague as well. If he doesn’t have a serious breakout season soon, he’ll most likely become a career third-liner and just filling in space. The former first-round pick has been sidelined since late January.

Despite being 31-years old, this is only Joe Corvo’s fifth NHL season. He doesn’t (or can’t) play the big minutes, usually playing around the 15-16 minute mark each game, but is a solid offensive, puck-moving defenseman. However, that being said, he hasn’t finished on the minus side of plus/minus in his five years and will address the Hurricane’s need for a PP blueliner.

A relatively even trade, overall, although the Senators probably got the better end of the deal. Now if they could only address the Ray Emery situation, they would be a very serious contender to reach the finals again this year.