Even before the NHL trade deadline day on Wednesday some huge moves had been made; most notably with Jarome Iginla being traded to Pittsburgh. But that was just a mere primer as the end of deadline day brought with it some pretty big headlines. And in just about every one of them, you could find the word “goaltender” somewhere in the bunch.

It’s always sad for fans when a team loses their captain, so that blow is definitely still being felt in Buffalo after the Sabres traded Jason Pominville, along with a fourth-round draft pick, for two prospects — goaltender Matt Hackett, and forward Johan Larsson. But Buffalo isn’t going to make the playoffs this year, and goaltender Miller hasn’t had a good year. If the word “rebuild” isn’t being tossed around in Buffalo, the word “retooling” definitely is.

The Columbus Blue Jackets also dealt in goalies on Wednesday, when they traded goaltender Steve Mason to Philadelphia. However, that wasn’t the biggest Blue Jackets news on trade day, as they also traded Derek Brassard, Derek Dorset, John Moore, and a sixth-round draft pick to the New York Rangers in exchange for Marian Gaborik. It’s a move that will make it much easier for them to get to the playoffs.

And in yet another goaltender trade, the Ottawa Senators traded one of their goaltenders, Ben Bishop, to Tampa Bay for rookie center Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick. The move is a good one for the Sens, who already have a young team to build onto but are heavy in goaltending; and it gives a boost to Tampa, even if it will only come to fruition next year.

Always on trade day you can count on big news of those that didn’t get traded; and who was that this year? Yet again, another goalie. Roberto Luongo is still officially a Vancouver Canuck, and he’s saying it’s because his contract “sucks” and that no team wants to take it on. With $64 million over 12 years, and currently only being on his second year into it, he’s probably right.