Who Won the NHL Trade Deadline?
The NHL trade deadline has passed on March 1st, and there were some key moves for some teams. Today Jared McCabe and I will be talking about 5 key moves through this deadline, and who won the trade and why.
Kevin Shattenkirk traded to the Capitals- The Washington Capitals acquired veteran Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a 4th liner, a prospect and 2 picks.
Caden Balint’s Take-I think that the Capitals won the trade because Kevin Shattenkirk is a veteran who is able to get around 50 points each year, and that’s why the Capitals brought him in. He has experience in the playoffs and he could be the player that could bring the Caps and Ovechkin to their first Stanley Cup. This is also the only chance the Capitals will have to win a cup, because if they can’t win it this year, they may not ever win it.
Jared McCabe’s Take- This is an easy one. I think the Washington Capitals won this trade by a mile because they acquired one of the best defenseman in the league in Kevin Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues for virtually nothing. I felt the Blues didn’t get enough in return for him, but the future will tell to see if they did get enough. In the end, this trade should make the Capitals the clear cut favorite in the East, and if they get eliminated early it's another bust of a season for the Washington Capitals.
Caden Balint: Washington Capitals
Jared McCabe: Washington Capitals
Brian Boyle traded to the Leafs-The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired veteran forward Brian Boyle from the Lighting in exchange for a 2nd-round pick and forward Byron Froese.
Caden Balint’s Take-I think that the Maple Leafs have won the trade because Brian Boyle has playoff experience going to the Stanley Cup finals twice, once with the Rangers and once with the Lighting. He has at least 100 playoff games played. The only reason the Leafs brought him in is because he has playoff experience, which most current Leafs lack.
Jared McCabe’s Take- This trade hit home for me because I’ve always been a fan of Brian Boyle especially when he was in Tampa. I think the Lightning won this trade because he was going to be a free agent to be and for the Lighting to trade him and get reasonable assets in return. They probably weren't going to resign him in the offseason, so it was good timing to trade him and get something for him, while then letting him walk in the offseason and get nothing back in return.
Caden Balint: Toronto Maple Leafs
Jared McCabe: Tampa Bay Lighting
New York Rangers get Brendan Smith-The Rangers have acquired 28 year old defensemen Brendan Smith from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for 2 draft picks, one being a 2nd-Rounder and one being a 3rd-Rounder (which the Rangers acquired from the Ottawa Senators in the Mika Zibanejad-Derick Brassard trade.)
Caden Balint’s Take-I think, not being a biased fan towards the Rangers, the Rangers won the trade. The reason I think this is because the Rangers acquired a solid Top-4 defensemen, while only trading away basically a 2nd-round pick, and if the Rangers are able to sign Smith in the offseason, giving up that 2nd would be worth it. There is also a plus to this whole deal, Smith played college hockey with two current Rangers, Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan.
Jared McCabe’s Take- I think the Red Wings won this trade. Again like the Brian Boyle trade, Detroit was smart to trade someone that you figured would walk away in the offseason and sign somewhere else. So Detroit got something back for someone that they knew they weren't going to resign. I just haven’t understood what the Rangers have done in trades over the past years, but I can understand this trade because they wanted to match what their rival Washington Capitals did, and they want to gear up for a deep run in the playoffs and potentially play the Penguins and Capitals.
Caden Balint: New York Rangers
Jared McCabe: Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers get Vanek-The Florida Panthers acquired veteran forward Thomas Vanek from the Detroit Red Wings for defenseman Dylan Mcllrath and a 3rd-round draft pick. Vanek was signed by the Red Wings in the offseason to a one year deal in hopes he would fill a bottom six place. Vanek has 15 goals and 23 assists, and he has way surpassed his expectations.
Caden Balint’s Take-I think that the Panthers won this trade because they acquired Thomas Vanek who has completely surpassed his expectations when the Red Wings signed him this offseason. So for the Red Wings, Vanek definitely became trade bait. The Panthers get an experienced goal scorer, Vanek has played for 5 teams in the NHL, being captain for the Sabers in this span, and this is what the Panthers could use. Next to Jagr, Vanek brings the veteran experience that this team needs and Vanek could also be what the Panthers need to move further on in the playoffs.
Jared McCabe’s Take- I believe the Florida Panthers won this trade because the Panthers were lacking a forward that could help on the offensive end and they acquired that forward in Vanek. He's going to bring a physical edge to the Panthers offense and this trade could get the Panthers over the hump and slide right into the the 2nd wild card spot.
Caden Balint: Florida Panthers
Jared McCabe: Florida Panthers.
LA Kings Acquire Veteran Forward Jarome Iginla-The Los Angeles Kings acquired veteran forward Jarome Iginla from the Colorado Avalanche for a conditional 4th-round pick in the 2018 NHL draft. Iginla who is 39 years old, requested the trade to be on a hopeful Stanley Cup winning team.
Caden Balint’s Take-I think that the Kings won this trade because they acquired a veteran forward who has experience in the playoffs, he is a good goal-scorer and he has the push and intensity to win the Cup now, which the Kings want, with getting Quick back and also getting Ben Bishop. So I think getting Iginla could be what the Kings need for the playoffs. Iginla just hoped this could be the team that brings him a Stanley Cup, because Iginla has not won a cup yet, and not everyone can be like Jagr or as he is called “The Ageless Wonder.”
Jared McCabe’s Take- Jarome Iginla won this trade because he wanted out of Colorado and he wanted the chance to play for a contending team that had a chance to raise the cup. The Kings are on the outside looking in at the last playoff spot and this is a great place for Iginla to play. It's a team that is led by veterans and he can slide right in with this team. The Kings are going to be a scary team because now they have all the pieces to make a deep run in the playoffs(if they can make it.) LA gives Iginla the best shot at winning his first cup.
Caden Balint: Los Angeles Kings
Jared McCabe: Los Angeles Kings
