Stars defenseman Nicklas Grossman is on his way to Philadelphia after a trade made last night.
Stars defenseman Nicklas Grossman is on his way to Philadelphia after a trade made last night. REUTERS

The action is finally heating up in the NHL ahead of the Feb. 27 trade deadline. Last night two moves were completed and though neither is earth shattering, they could trigger larger moves.

The NHL trade deadline is often like a logjam, once one team shows their hand by making a move it allows others to be freer in what they plan to do. The first few trades are often followed by a steady stream of moves leading up to the deadline, so keep checking back here for updates as they happen.

Dominic Moore to San Jose for picks

San Jose made the first pickup of the 2012 deadline when they swung Minnesota's second round pick and their own seventh round selection to Tampa for center Dominic Moore.

Moore, who is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, is a gritty two-way forward with a ton of playoff experience. He will probably slide into a line with Jamie McGinn and Torrey Mitchell, a line that the Sharks will use to counter some of the top scoring lines in the Western Conference playoffs.

Moore has been one of the most traded players in the NHL and it seems like someone picks him up to add grit and depth to a lineup at the deadline every year. Since he made his debut in 2003, Moore has suited up for the Rangers, Penguins, Wild, Maple Leafs, Sabres, Canadiens and the Lightning.

Moore, who is in the top-10 all-time scorers for the Harvard Crimson has played in 41 playoff games, notching 16 points. He will certainly get a chance to add to those totals with the Sharks who currently have the third seed in the West by virtue of leading the Pacific Division.

Philadelphia adds Nicklas Grossman

The Flyers added 6'4 230 pound stay-at-home defenseman Nicklas Grossman from Dallas for their second round pick in 2012 and a third round selection in 2013.

Grossman is not going to wow anyone with his offensive skills (he has just five assists on the season) but he has blocked 100 shots this year.

A solid defensive presence is just what the Flyers needed after losing team captain Chris Pronger to a myriad of injuries early this season. Now that there are serious questions about Pronger ever playing again, perhaps Grossman is the man to fill that spot.

It is a fairly low risk move for the Flyers as Grossman is a free agent at the end of the year and if the deal doesn't work they can always walk away. Grossman gives the Flyers and immediate upgrade on the back end in place of Marc-Andre Boudron, Andreas Lilja or Erik Gustafsson.