The NHL trade deadline is today (February 27, 2012) and any moves made can and usually do have some sort of impact on American Hockey League teams but that doesn’t mean moves are over.  Teams can still trade players in the AHL and any moves have to be done by the deadline of March 5th at 3pm eastern time which is when clear day rosters are due and usually announced a day or two later.  Also, any players in the NHL must be on an AHL roster today February 27 at 3pm to be eligible for inclusion.  Corey Tropp was already sent to the Amerks today and we can likely expect Zack Kassian to be sent down as well and then immediately called back up.

What is the clear day roster?  According to AHL by-laws, only those players listed on a team’s Clear Day roster are eligible to compete in the remainder of the 2011-12 AHL regular season and in the 2012 Calder Cup Playoffs, unless emergency conditions arise as a result of recall, injury or suspension.

That still leaves plenty of room to make changes to the roster but it’s done to prevent teams from sending down half of an NHL roster once the season is over.  Teams may also add signed draft choices and players signed to amateur tryout contracts, provided that their respective Junior seasons are complete.  If a player is called up to the NHL or a player is injured a team can still have someone play that’s not on the 22 man list.

This is all something that generates a lot of confusion this time of year and happens every year, myself included.  Will try and send this out earlier than usual next season so we can all be informed!