There was an NHL trade today, but not many people will notice. The Columbus Blue Jackets dealt junior defenseman Adam McQuaid to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round pick. Why does this matter?

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't. But it's interesting for a few reasons.

1. Former Columbus GM Doug MacLean drafted McQuaid. McLean is gone and now so is one of his draft picks.
2.. MacLean is from Prince Edward Island. So is Gerard Gallant- the coach MacLean fired during the season. So is McQuaid. Is there a PEI purge going on?
3. McQuaid was drafted in the second round (55th overall) in 2005. Columbus essentially traded down three rounds since they're dealing a former second rounder for a fifth round pick.
4. Teams have until June 1 to sign any players drafted in 2005 (does not apply to NCAA players or Russian draft picks) otherwise they can go back in the draft. I assume the blue Jackets were having trouble signing the Adam McQuaid. Otherwise they must have soured on him because they practically gave him away.
5. If I'm not mistaken McQuaid is my former landlord's nephew. I doubt anyone cares about that though.

All of this is a very roundabout way of both mentioning my home province of Prince Edward Island and of making you aware that the Thrashers have roughly two weeks to sign the following players who were drafted in 2005 or else they lose their rights:

Ondrej Pavelec
Chad Denny
Tomas Pospisil 
Myles Stoesz

I'd have to check the CBA to see what the rules are for Europeans (other than Russians) are, but I was told today that Tobias Enstrom's rights also expire if he's not signed by June 1. This list may or may not be exhaustive. I'll try to find out if I'm missing anyone, but I don't think I am.