NHL trade rumors are already flying and Carolina hasn’t even had the Cup for 48 hours, which tells you everything you need to know about what kind of offseason this is actually going to be. It has long been speculated that this will finally be the offseason of massive player movement. Usually, NHL insiders dub every offseason as one that will contain several blockbusters, and nearly every offseason falls flat. While neither of the trades yesterday were of the blockbuster variety, it does at least begin getting the wheel in motion. To be honest, it’s a perfect storm for a bevy of trades too. You have the cap going way up, you have teams in a clear contention window willing and able to spend to the ceiling, and there are only a few valuable free agents. If you want to upgrade your team, and most teams want to do this, you will likely have to explore the trade market. Not only will you have to explore the market, but there are also several big names on the block.
We have already spoke about Dylan Larkin’s trade request. Darnell Nurse’s too. Now Morgan Reilly has apparently greenlit the Maple Leafs into exploring a trade for himself. While it’s not confirmed, there is a growing suspicion that Connor Hellebuyck would also welcome a trade out of Winnipeg. Jason Robertson’s contract situation may also force Dallas into trading their leading point scorer. The Rangers announced a rebuild, but didn’t do too much selling at the deadline, so Alexis Lafreniere, Braden Schneider, Adam Fox, and Vincent Trochek will all at least be in discussions. Teams like Seattle, San Jose, and Chicago are going to be desperately attempting to improve. Hell, Seattle’s owner even said to fans of his team to expect a prolific offseason. All of these teams, and players, make up only a small percentage of smoke coming from the fire that is the NHL rumor mill.
As I mentioned, the trades yesterday were not huge moves, but every trade is interesting. First, Toronto and Philadelphia swapped some goaltenders and defensemen.
A lot of people are saying Toronto got fleeced, and in a vacuum I agree. Toronto traded away the best player in the deal, Joseph Woll, and typically that means you lose the trade. I personally don’t think people are looking into the trade deep enough. Sergei Murashov was the best goaltender in the AHL this years, but he was outdueled by a Toronto goaltender in the playoffs Artur Akhtyamov. Toronto also has the ability to give Dennis Hildeby a look in net. Andrae is likely a better defenseman for Toronto than Simon Benoit would have been, and Andrae is not going to command much money as an RFA. Toronto also lacks draft picks, and they desperately need them so don’t completely discount how important even a third-round pick is for them. On Philadelphia’s side, they suck and we all know it, but they won a playoff round this year. When you win in the playoffs, your external expectations begin to shift, and it can lead management to make dumb decisions. Philly has been plagued by horrible, terrible, goaltending for years. They figure getting Woll, an often injured and 1A at best goaltender, will help stabilize their crease. The Flyers also plan to extend Vladar to a 5x5M extension and use Woll in tandem with him. Personally, I think all of this is really stupid by Philly. For starters, Vladar has had one season of success behind a very goaltender friendly defensive structure. Tocchet as a coach has seen this story before in Vancouver when the Canucks resigned Lankinen to a ridiculous extension after one good season, and Philly is doing the same thing. Woll should provide some stability in the event Vladar falls back down to Earth, which is likely, so from that standpoint it makes sense. Again, not a blockbuster but it is beginning to define how certain teams are moving; Toronto is attempting to get younger and Philly is trying to bolster their squad.
The second trade, also not of the blockbuster variety, saw Nashville’s new GM acquire a player from his old team Ross Colton. I think I’d describe both of yesterday’s trades as win-win’s to be honest, but especially this trade. Ross Colton is a good NHL center, but Colorado has a bunch of those and needed to open up cap space. Nashville on the other hand could really use a quality NHL center that isn’t going to cost them an arm and a leg. Colorado’s playoff exit, Makar’s looming extension, and lack of cap space will force them into making more trade such as this one. Nashville is extremely rich in draft choices over the next two drafts, so losing two in this deal won’t really hurt them.
Finally, while not a trade, the Penguins resigned ECHL goalie Taylor Gauthier. Gauthier has dominated the ECHL the last two seasons and finally has an NHL contract. Now, Gauthier isn’t really in contention to actually play in the NHL this season it is a step in the right direction for him. He will likely split time with Joel Blomqvist in the AHL for the upcoming season, and if he continues to thrive, he might eventually leapfrog Blomqvist into an NHL gig to play behind Murashov.
Josh Yohe, leading beat writer for the Penguins, also wrote an article detailing which Penguins are most/least likely to be traded. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Rakell and Rust lead the list. If the Penguins want to make a big trade, and by all indications they do, one of those two will have to go the other way. There is also a ton of smoke on the Penguins trying to trade up in the draft and while I don’t know if I’d trade Rakell/Rust in a trade up, it is certainly a possible avenue. The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to field offers on the 4th overall pick, and it seems like Ivar Stenberg might fall to number 4. The Hawks are trying to get a winger than can play with Bedard, Rakell definitely has a toolbox to do so. There’s a scenario where the framework for a deal is the 22nd overall pick and Rakell for the 4th overall pick and the Penguins finally get a new Bonafide stud in the draft. Obviously, this trade scenario would likely include more pieces, but the framework for a deal is definitely there.
Whatever happens, whether with the Penguins or not, it is going to be a crazy couple of weeks in the NHL. I don’t anticipate the trades stopping between today and the draft either. We will see what rumors, trades, or reports come out over the next few days and I’ll be sure to write about them.
