- The first significant trade of the 2007-08 season occurred Thursday as the Colorado Avalanche acquired goaltender Jason Bacashihua from the St. Louis Blues for a conditional seventh round pick in the 2008 entry draft. Bacashihua was then assigned to the Avalanche's AHL farm team.

Don't read too much into this move, rumor fans. It doesn't mean Jose Theodore or Peter Budaj will be on the move soon or by the trade deadline. It's at best a depth move, perhaps with one eye toward next season when Theodore will likely be gone and the Avs will require someone to share the goalie duties with Budaj.

It's been a tough road for Bacashihua since being selected in the first round (26th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2001.  He never got close to cracking the Stars roster and was dealt to the Blues in June 2004, where he saw limited action as a backup for two seasons.

The Blues acquisition of Hannu Toivonen from the Bruins this summer meant the writing was on the wall for Bacashihua, meaning he was destined to start this season in the minors. Barring injury to either Theodore or Budaj, he faces the same fate with the Avs this season.  

At 25 Bacashihua still has time and the potential to become a regular NHL goaltender, but he's already on his third team and has yet to show that he has what it takes to play at the NHL level. He'll have to start picking up his game soon or be destined to spend his career as a minor league goalie.

- Earlier this week the New Jersey Devils demoted veteran defenseman Richard Matvichuk to their minor league affiliate in Lowell, Mass.

Matvichuk failed to adapt to the up-tempo style of new Devils head coach Brent Sutter and had yet to play a regular season game with the team.

GM Lou Lamoriello tried unsuccessfully to shop Matvichuk, likely owing to his contract ($1.368 million), his recent injury history and concerns over his speed.

Still, with some teams already hurting on the blueline this season (Vancouver, Tampa Bay) it's possible he could attract interest if the Devils place him on re-entry waivers, as then the Devils would be on the hook for half his salary.

For now, he's agreed to report to Lowell.