'Twas the night before the NHL Trade Deadline

If you're an NHL fan you've probably heard this an infinite number of times but honestly, the night before the trade deadline can be a lot like Christmas Eve.

GMs are probably burning the midnight oil trying to jettison players in order to get draft picks and prospects or trying load up to not only push for the playoffs but make a deep run as well.

TSN will assemble its hockey panel together bright and early (5am PST) and will provide about seven hours of on-air coverage.

Sportsnet will also assemble its experts together (hopefully without Hockey Buzz's Eklund) and Donny Taylor and Ray Ferraro should be entertaining as they represent the S-Pac.

If I remember correctly, radio station TEAM 1040 will simulcast TSN's coverage.

Even our own David Roberts will have something on the deadline.

You can also expect the noon time news to be talking a little puck too.

Unlike other professional sports, with the possible exception of MLB, the hockey trade deadline is cause for excitement amongst fans.

Dave Nonis will be forever remembered for the Luongo trade but his record at the deadline isn't that good.

Nonis traded for D-men Eric Weinrich, Sean Brown, Keith Carney and goalie Mika Noronen in 2006 and failed to make the postseason.

Last year he acquired C Bryan Smolinski and reacquired D Brent Sopel.

T-minus 10 hours 'til we find out what 2008 has in store.