Trade Deadline 2019
Trade Deadline is always an exciting time of year in the NHL, usually a last-ditch effort to load up for a playoff run, while giving up too much in return. These situations make for some interesting deals on rental players and this year may have had less trades than some deadline days, however, it made up for it in star talent headed everywhere around the league. Most often, the teams that make the most trades are either top teams looking to push over the edge or teams on the cusp of making or breaking a playoff spot.
Here are the top 10 trades from deadline day and the week leading up to February 24, 2019…
1. Matt Duchene (Ottawa Senators to Columbus Blue Jackets)
Trade: F Matt Duchene and D Julius Bergman for F Vitaly Abramov, F Jonathan Davidsson, 2019 1st Round Pick and Conditional 2020 1st Round Pick.
The biggest trade of the deadline came roughly a week before deadline day. Matt Duchene was traded for the second year in a row, this time around… he will be coming to a team on the brink of the playoffs, who loaded up for a playoff run. (also added, Dzingel, Adam McQuaid and Keith Kinkaid) I believe the Senators received a decent haul in return for Duchene, potentially two 1st round picks, plus an underrated 3rd round pick in Vitaly Abramov and another prospect they could develop into a depth forward in Jonathan Davidsson. Duchene should help the Jackets go deep into a playoff run, however I’m not sure if they will be able to keep him in the off-season. Duchene is likely to re-sign with his “hometown” team in Ottawa. Early Winner: Columbus
2. Mark Stone (Ottawa Senators to Vegas Golden Knights)
Trade: F Mark Stone for D Erik Brannstrom, F Oscar Lindberg and 2020 2nd Round Pick (DAL)
This could be considered the biggest deal on deadline day, considering Stone’s highly touted two-way play. Stone brings a playoff style game to a team that went to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. Stone should slide in on the wing with Marchessault and William Karlsson… a huge 1st line for an already strong playoff team. Stone also signed an 8 year, $9.5M contract soon after the trade was completed. The Senators picked up blue chip prospect defenceman Erik Brannstrom. Brannstrom is a strong puck moving defenceman with elite skating ability. Once he figures out his defensive end a little more in Belleville, him and Chabot will make a powerful 1-2 punch on the Sens back end. Early Winner: Vegas
3. Kevin Hayes (New York Rangers to Winnipeg Jets)
Trade: F Kevin Hayes for F Brendan Lemieux, 2019 1st Round Pick and Conditional 2020 4th Round Pick
The Jets got exactly what they were looking for this deadline season… the Paul Statsny of the 2019 season. Hayes will bring his 0.82 points per game to the Jets’ second line, playing with Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor… a line that should be able to produce for the remainder of the season and the playoffs. He adds skill and size down the middle and will certainly help them in their playoff run this season. Brendan Lemieux and a 1st round pick was a nice return for the rangers. Adding a player who is similar to Zach Hyman with Lemieux… a workhorse with the ability to produce with a couple of offensive players. Early Winner: Winnipeg
4. Mats Zuccarello (New York Rangers to Dallas Stars)
Trade: F Mats Zuccarello for Conditional 2019 2nd Round Pick and Conditional 2020 3rd Round Pick
This was a solid trade for the Stars, finally allowing them to have a solid top two lines. Before getting hurt, Zuccarello was placed on a line with Jamie Benn and Hintz, while Seguin and Radulov controlled the other line alone with Janmark. Having a two pronged attack is something they haven’t had for a few years… giving up a current 2nd rounder and a future 3rd rounder was a real good trade for the Stars. Unfortunately, Zuccarello is now out for at least 4 weeks after a blocking a shot late in the third period of his first game with the Stars. The Rangers got picks, a good return for a player on an expiring contract... allowing New York to hopefully gain prospects through the draft. Early Winner: Dallas
5. Gustav Nyqvist (Detroit Red Wings to San Jose Sharks)
Trade: F Gustav Nyqvist for 2019 2nd Round Pick and Conditional 2020 3rd Round Pick
An underrated trade for the Sharks… adding another young and speedy winger to play alongside Joe Thornton and Kevin Lebanc. Let’s not forget… that is San Jose’s THIRD LINE. The Sharks added to a team that was already one of the deepest player cores in the league. If Martin Jones can get back on track, this team will be a force in the Western Conference playoffs and have a huge chance to make it through to the Stanley Cup Final. The Red Wings continue to load up on draft picks, adding to a huge collection of picks through the next two drafts. In four to five years down the road… this Red Wing team will be a force in the next couple of years if they continue to draft well. Early Winner: San Jose
6. Mikael Granlund for Kevin Fiala (Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators)
Trade: F Mikael Granlund for F Kevin Fiala
A trade that is most likely a “change of scenery” scenario for both players. Granlund has been a lot better than Fiala this season, however Fiala will get more of a look in the top 6 in Minnesota than he did in Nashville. Granlund is a huge addition to the Predators’ second or third line heading into the playoffs as one of the league’s top lines. It will be interesting to see if Fiala can produce more with a bigger role in Minnesota. Early Winner: Nashville
7. Ryan Dzingel (Ottawa Senators to Columbus Blue Jackets)
Trade: F Ryan Dzingel for F Anthony Duclair, 2020 2nd Round Pick and 2021 2nd Round Pick
The Blue Jackets and Jarmo Kekalainen are going all-in this season, with knowledge they could lose more than one of their top players this off season. Dzingel should slide into their third line along with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Oliver Bjorkstrand… an extremely talented line that is arguably one of the best 3rd lines in the entire league now. However, this was a pricey rental for the Jackets as they gave up a well-travelled former 1st round pick and two 2nd rounders. This is a solid return for Pierre Dorion and the Ottawa Senators. The three deadline deals and all the picks they received in return still do not make up for the fact the Colorado Avalanche are now the favourites to land highly-touted draft prospect, Jack Hughes. Early Winner: Ottawa
8. Marcus Johansson (New Jersey Devils to Boston Bruins)
Trade: F Marcus Johansson for 2019 2nd Round Pick and 2020 2nd Round Pick
The Bruins paid a steep fee to bring in Johansson and Coyle over the past week. This includes the two 2nd round picks going back to the Devils and Ryan Donato and a 5th round pick headed to Minnesota. However, this should bolster their top 9 forward group and add depth behind arguably the best line in hockey. (Marchand, Bergeron, Pastrnak) The Devils will receive two 2nd round picks… if they can turn these picks into every day players in less than five years, this will have been a solid trade deadline acquisition. Early Winner: Boston
9. Brandon Montour (Anaheim Ducks to Buffalo Sabres)
Trade: D Brandon Montour for D Brendan Guhle and Conditional 2019 1st Round Pick
Brandon Montour is an underrated defenceman coming from Anaheim. Obviously, neither team as “underrated” as a first-round pick and a solid prospect are coming back the other way. Montour should solidify the Sabres’ top 4 defencemen and help make a push towards a wild card spot in the playoffs. Montour should also help solidify their defence core for years to come. Anaheim received a good return for Montour as they begin their rebuild as their season continues to head downhill. Early Winner: Buffalo
10. Wayne Simmonds (Philadelphia Flyers to Nashville Predators)
Trade: F Wayne Simmonds for F Ryan Hartman and Conditional 2020 4th Round Pick
Although I didn’t think that Nashville needed a heavy forward, this kind of player never hurts a lineup. A powerplay specialist and a power forward who can get into the head of his opponents. Simmonds is a skilled, big forward who will benefit from the defence first but still exciting system in Nashville and will help them in the annual ‘Preds’ vs ‘Jets’ second round playoff matchup. Ryan Hartman is a Philadelphia style player coming back to the Flyers. A player that certainly won’t hurt their playoff push late in the season. The Flyers’ could afford to give away Simmonds as a rental since they have JVR firing now on the power play and even strength. Early Winner: Philadelphia
All Deadline Day Deals:
Sharks receive F Gustav Nyqvist from the Red Wings for a 2019 2nd round pick and a conditional 2020 3rd round pick.
Senators acquire F Brian Gibbons from the Ducks for F Patrick Sieloff.
Blue Jackets receive G Keith Kinkaid from the Devils for a 2022 5th round pick.
Jets receive F Kevin Hayes from the Rangers for F Brendan Lemieux, a 2019 1st round pick and a conditional 2022 4th round pick.
Canadiens receive F Jordan Weal from the Coyotes for F Michael Chaput.
Hurricanes acquire F Tomas Jurco from the Panthers for F Cliff Pu.
Avalanche get F Derick Brassard and a conditional 2020 6th round pick from the Panthers for a 2020 3rd round pick.
Blue Jackets receive D Adam McQuaid from the Rangers for D Julius Bergman, a 2019 4th round pick and a 2019 7th round pick.
Flames acquire D Oscar Fantenberg from the Kings for a conditional 2020 4th round pick.
Predators receive F Mikael Granlund from the Wild for F Kevin Fiala.
Golden Knights get F Mark Stone from the Senators for D Erik Brannstrom, F Oscar Lindberg and a 2020 2nd round pick (DAL).
Predators receive F Wayne Simmonds from the Flyers for F Ryan Hartman and a conditional 2020 4th round pick.
Blues get D Michael Del Zotto from the Ducks for a 2019 6th round pick.
Bruins acquire F Marcus Johansson for a 2019 2nd round pick and a 2020 4th round pick.
Jets re-acquire F Matt Hendricks from the Wild for a 2020 7th round pick.
Penguins get D Erik Gudbranson from the Canucks for F Tanner Pearson.
Jets receive D Nathan Beaulieu from the Sabres for a 2019 6th round pick.
Jets get D Bogdan Kiselevich from the Panthers for a 2021 7th round pick.
Canucks receive F Linus Karlsson from the Sharks for F Jonathan Dahlen
Maple Leafs acquire F Nic Petan from the Jets for F Par Lindholm.
Penguins receive D Chris Wideman from the Panthers for F Jean-Sebastien Dea.