2016 NHL Trade Deadline Reaction

By Brett Malamud

Trade deadline day came and went, and there wasn’t too much going on. Let’s take a look at what happened in the days leading up to the deadline:

Winnipeg Jets trade Andrew Ladd, Matt Fraser and Jay Harrison to Chicago Blackhawks for Marko Dano, 2016 1st-round pick and conditional pick in 2018 Draft

Reaction: The Ladd-Chicago reunion will bring cup memories back to fans, and should be a good acquisition, but at what price? This is an example of just one of the numerous over the top asks for rental players. Chicago overpaid but if that means a Stanley Cup, it won’t matter to them

Carolina Hurricanes trade F Eric Staal to New York Rangers in exchange for F Aleksi Saarela, 2016 2nd-round pick, 2017 2nd-round pick

Reaction: I thought that Carolina would receive more for Staal. Seems that the Rangers got away with one here, and have a depth forward to help them towards a playoff run.

Eric Staal should help the Blueshirts down the stretch (Via Rangers)

Washington Capitals trade F Brooks Laich, D Connor Carrick, 2016 2nd-round pick to Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for F Daniel Winnik, 2016 5th-round pick (previously acquired from Anaheim)

Reaction: One can’t help but feel bad for Brooks Laich. The longest-tenured player on the Capitals, and finally as they’re poised to make a deep playoff run, they deal him. Winnik isn’t a huge get for Washington, but he can’t hurt their chances.

Arizona Coyotes trade F Mikkel Boedker to Colorado Avalanche for F Alex Tanguay and prospects F Conner Bleackley and D Kyle Wood.

Reaction: Both clubs walk away making a good deal. Boedker will help by putting the puck in the net, and the ‘Yotes get two prospects with potential.

The New Jersey Devils trade D Eric Gelinas to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 3rd-round pick in 2017.

Reaction: There was no room for him in NJ, so Gelinas is dealt. Will get an opportunity out West. Good return for him

Calgary Flames trade D Kris Russell to the Dallas Stars in exchange for D Jyrki Jokkipakka, F Brett Pollock and a conditional 2nd-round pick in 2016.

Reaction: The Stars overpaid. Period. Yes, they get a shot blocker, but he’s a rental. The Flames on the other hand will be rooting for the Stars in the playoffs, as if the Stars reach the conference finals, the pick becomes a first rounder. They also get Jyrki Jokkipakka, who has become a household name, at least in my household (yes, really). A good deal for the Flames here. 

The Carolina Hurricanes trade D John-Michael Liles to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 3rd- round pick in 2016, a 5th-round pick in 2017 and F Anthony Camara.

Reaction: The Bruins will like having blue-line depth by adding JML.

The Buffalo Sabres trade F Jamie McGinn to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional 3rd-round pick in 2016.

Reaction: I like this deal for the Ducks. They needed a good winger, and they got one in McGinn.

Florida Panthers trade F Brandon Pirri to the Anaheim Ducks for a sixth-round pick in 2016.

Reaction: How did the Ducks get away with this? A sixth rounder? Really? The Panthers could have gotten more for Pirri. 

The New Jersey Devils shipped F Lee Stempniak to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a second-round pick in 2017 and a fourth-round pick in 2016.

Reaction: The Bruins get another good player in Stempniak. Will be a good addition with Boston. As for the Devils, I was a bit surprised that they dealt him, but in a tough Metropolitan Division, it’s understandable why they did.

The Montreal Canadiens trade winger Devante Smith-Pelly to the New Jersey Devils for winger Stefan Matteau.

Reaction: Two young players get swapped. Here’s hoping it works out this time for them.

Ottawa Senators trade F Shane Prince and 2016 7th-round pick to New York Islanders for 2016 3rd-round pick

Reaction: see https://dabuzzza.com/2016/03/01/the-curious-case-of-garth-snow-and-the-fresh-prince/ 

The Calgary Flames trade forward David Jones to the Minnesota Wild for goaltender Niklas Backstrom and a sixth-round draft pick.

Reaction: Won’t really help either team. Each player’s career is basically done.

Brett Malamud is an English Rhetoric Major at Binghamton University. He is the co-founder of dabuzzza.com. His favorite athletes are Derek Jeter and Todd Bertuzzi. You can follow him on twitter at @brettnyy