Analyzing every significant trade in the NHL from December until the trade deadline.
Pittsburgh Penguins receive: Connor Sheary, Evan Rodrigues
Buffalo Sabres receive: Dominik Kahun
I think this is a really good trade for Pittsburgh, and not a terrible one for Buffalo either. Connor Sheary clearly wasn't fitting in well in Buffalo. His point production has really dipped since coming to the Sabres, so hopefully this revives him a little.
Edmonton Oilers receive: Andreas Athanasiou, Ryan Kuffner
Detroit Red Wings receive: Sam Gagner, 2020 2nd round pick, 2021 2nd round pick
Imagine getting traded, and in your first game on your new team just after leaving the dreadful Detroit Red Wings, you are on Connor McDavid's wing. To say the least, I think Andreas Athanasiou should be pretty happy with this move. This is an interesting trade in a lot of ways. I'm not quite sure why Edmonton is doing this, because I really don't think that they are Cup contenders. On the other hand though, they get to dump Sam Gagner. Not a bad trade here.
Carolina Hurricanes receive: Vincent Trochek
Florida Panthers receive: Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark, Eetu Luostarinen, Chase Priskie
If I were a Florida fan, I would be far from happy in terms of how this season has gone, but this trade should be a breath of fresh air. Frankly, I don't know how Carolina could think that this is a good trade for them. Haula and Wallmark would have been plenty of a return, but add in two prospects, and this is a huge success for Florida. What is disheartening though for the Panthers is that they are selling at the deadline when they shelled out to sign Sergei Bobrovsky in the playoffs, and should be fighting for a playoff spot.
New York Islanders receive: Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Ottawa Senators receive: 2020 1st round pick, 2020 2nd round pick, Conditional 2022 third round pick
I understand why the Islanders went out and got Pageau (his 24 goals so far this season would lead the Islanders), but the price they paid for him is very hefty. I don't think that adding Pageau suddenly makes New York a Stanley Cup threat, which is another reason I think this is a mistake for them. You just should not be giving up that much when you are struggling to stay in the playoff picture never mind contend for a Cup. Give credit to Ottawa for being able to get that return.
Washington Capitals receive: Ilya Kovalchuk
Montreal Canadiens receive: 2020 3rd round pick
I don't really think that adding Kovalchuk will have a huge impact on the rest of the season, which is why I give the slight edge to Montreal. The Canadiens did an excellent job of acquiring Kovalchuk, and then trading him away for even more.
Carolina Hurricanes receive: Brady Skjei
New York Rangers receive: 2020 1st round pick
Yes, you read that right: Brady Skjei for a first round pick. Since when do first round picks mean nothing? He's a good defenseman and all, but the Hurricanes are trying to make up for injuries at the defense position, and generally, it is not wise to trade valuable picks just to get someone to fill a hole. The Rangers should be very happy with this return.
Vegas Golden Knights receive: Robin Lehner, Martins Dzierkals
Chicago Blackhawks receive: Malcolm Subban, Stanislav Denmin, 2020 2nd round pick
Honestly, I like this move from the Golden Knights standpoint. They are planning for the future. It is likely that Marc-Andre Fleury retires within the next few seasons, and then Lehner can take over the starting role. I know that he is not young, but I do think that he is good enough to be a starter. In terms of Chicago, they don't need Lehner. They don't really need an average prospect, and someone who will be lucky to be an NHL backup either. The most valuable asset in this trade for them is the pick.
Carolina Hurricanes receive: Sami Vatanen
New Jersey Devils receive: Janne Kuokkanen, Fredrik Claeson, 2020 4th round pick
The Carolina Hurricanes were not afraid to make big splashes at the deadline, and this was one of them. Honestly, I don't think what they gave up was too bad, and considering the improvement that they made at the deadline, this should be counted as a success for Carolina.
Boston Bruins receive: Nick Ritchie
Anaheim Ducks receive: Danton Heinen
This is an interesting trade. The Bruins are clearly trying to beef up: Ritchie is 1" taller, and about 40lbs heavier than Heinen, and plays very physically. Ritchie is also $1 million cheaper than Heinen. In terms of Anaheim, they receive Heinen who I would say has a bit more potential than Ritchie does. This is a pretty even trade.
Calgary Flames receive: Erik Gustafsson
Chicago Blackhawks receive: 2020 3rd round pick
His numbers might be slightly down this season, but Erik Gustafsson had 60 points last year, which ranked him sixth in the NHL among defenseman. I think a third round pick is too little in return for the Blackhawks.
Boston Bruins receive: Ondrej Kase
Anaheim Ducks receive: David Backes, Axel Andersson, 2020 1st round pick
I think this is a very good trade for the Bruins. They needed a right winger, and Ondrej Kase might just be able to fill that whole on the second line. They are also able to get rid of 75% of David Backes' contract, as Backes is no longer able to play at the level the Bruins expect. It is extremely unlikely that Axel Andersson ever makes the NHL, so really the Ducks are just getting back a very low first round pick for Kase.
Vegas Golden Knights receive: Alec Martinez
Los Angeles Kings receive: 2020 2nd round pick, 2021 2nd round pick
In Alec Martinez, the Golden Knights are getting a very solid defenseman with a lot of playoff experience. This seems like a pretty even trade, good for both sides, maybe leaning a bit in favor of the Kings.
Washington Capitals receive: Brenden Dillon
San Jose Sharks receive: 2020 2nd round pick, Conditional 2021 3rd round pick
The San Jose Sharks are on pace to finish this season with 75 points, which is 26 lower than last season. It has been a shockingly horrible season for them. Brenden Dillon was pretty sought after at the deadline, and the Sharks moving him was no surprise. I think that it's a good move for the Capitals. Sure they have to give up a few picks, but they are making a push for the Cup, and a strong, stay at home defenseman will always help with that. For the Sharks, its really hard to be happy about anything at this point.
Vancouver Canucks receive: Tyler Toffoli
Los Angeles Kings receive: Tim Schaller, Tyler Madden, 2020 2nd round pick, Conditional 2022 pick
Tyler Toffoli was in hot command as the deadline drew closer, and the Canucks went out and got him, but I worry about how much they gave up. Vancouver general manager Jim Benning said that a main reason for acquiring Toffoli was because of Brock Boeser's likely season ending injury. I just don't think you should be making a trade like that when Toffoli is a free agent this summer, and the Canucks are not yet true title contenders.
Tampa Bay Lightning receive: Blake Coleman
New Jersey Devils receive: Nolan Foote, 2020 or 2021 1st round pick
The Lightning are going all in, and by adding Blake Coleman, they add yet another scary goalscorer. The thing is though, that despite the fact that he has already scored 20 goals this season, he will likely factor in on the Lightning's third line. For that reason alone, it feels like what the Lightning are giving up is a lot. Foote is a very strong prospect who was taken in the first round, so Devils fans should be happy with this return.
New York Islanders receive: Andy Greene
New Jersey Devils receive: David Quenneville, 2020 2nd round pick
To be honest, this seems like a bit too much to give up for a 37 year old defenseman clearly in decline. Quenneville is not a high prospect (he was drafted in the 7th round in 2016), so he is not a huge factor, but personally, I would not have given up a 2nd round pick for Greene. Its not a horrible move though.
Pittsburgh Penguins receive: Jason Zucker
Minnesota Wild receive: Alex Galchenyuk, Calen Addison, 2020 or 2021 1st round pick
Considering the amount of skill that Alex Galchenyuk has, it always amazes how little he has been able to do in the NHL, but here we are again with him switching teams. I think this is a good trade for both teams. Pittsburgh is going all in to win the Cup this year, and Minnesota, a rebuilding team, gets a pretty significant haul for someone on a contract that they probably don't love.
Toronto Maple Leafs receive: Jack Campbell, Kyle Clifford
Los Angeles Kings receive: Trevor Moore, 2020 3rd round pick, 2021 3rd round pick
The Maple Leafs needed a backup goalie, so that is the primary reason for this trade. Swapping Clifford and Moore is simply just switching fourth liners who really don't contribute all that much. Clifford brings a little more grit to Toronto though. Kings fans should be happy getting picks in return considering they only gave up players that they have absolutely no use for.
Arizona Coyotes receive: Taylor Hall, Blake Speers
New Jersey Devils receive: Kevin Bahl, Nick Merkley, Nate Schnarr, Conditional picks
It's hard to even consider this trade a part of the trade deadline because of how long ago it happened, but remember that for a while, Taylor Hall was by far the biggest name on the market. Are they getting the NHL MVP winner of 2018, or are they getting the sometimes disinterested player who has not been able to keep up a point per game pace these past few seasons. They gave up a handful of players, and this is a big risk, especially if they continue to struggle and don't make the playoffs.
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