Hischier arguably made more strides than any draft-eligible player this season. He failed to crack the top 15 of the preseason draft rankings of TSN's Bob McKenzie, but by midseason Hischier was ranked as the No. 2 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.
He still has potential to add bulk to his 6-foot frame. If he can do so by training camp, he could be NHL-ready. Otherwise, another year of junior might serve him best.
"A smooth-skating, playmaking center…good skating agility and top speed, but is more quick than fast…is able to make quick turns and displays good lateral movement…not big or strong, but still shows willingness to take hits and battle for space…goes into board battles and uses his body to fight for pucks…excellent playmaking instincts, vision and passing skills…puts puck where his linemates can best utilize the chance…an incredible stickhandler who thrives in possession and can make defenders look foolish" - Future Considerations.
The Senators are still trying to move Phaneuf, according to TSN's Darren Dreger, and one source told the insider there is "some interest" from teams that Phaneuf would accept a trade to.
The 32-year-old can submit a list of 12 teams that he can be traded to, according to Cap Friendly.
Phaneuf was the talk of the Senators last week after he refused to waive his no-trade clause, which would have allowed the team to protect Marc Methot instead. Methot was ultimately selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft.
If it ain't broke don't fix it. That's the approach Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella plans to take with his club's newest acquisition, Artemi Panarin.
The former Chicago Blackhawks forward tallied 30 and 31 goals in his first two seasons in the league, and Tortorella said he doesn't plan to tinker with what has made him such a dynamic player in his short time, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.
Oshie is coming off an impressive season in which he registered a career-high 33 goals and finished with his second-highest point total at 56.
General manager Brian MacLellan completed Oshie's deal just hours ahead of the entry draft and in the process removed one of the biggest free-agent names from the market.
"T.J. is an invaluable member of our team and we felt it was imperative for us to re-sign him in a competitive free-agent market," said MacLellan. "T.J. is a highly competitive player with a tremendous skill set; he epitomizes the kind of player our team must have in order for us to continue to put ourselves in a position to compete in this League."
Oshie was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but with his new deal, he becomes a cornerstone of the Capitals' franchise for the foreseeable future.
Three shocking blockbuster deals were made on the day of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, an event that essentially serves as the new trade deadline. And after key players swap teams, fans and media members alike will argue, "who won this trade?" for a long time.
The following grades will either settle the debate once and for all, or simply stir the pot even more.
Motte, Forsberg, and the draft picks essentially cancel each other out. This swap is basically Panarin for Saad straight up.
Panarin is without a doubt the more dynamic offensive player of the two. He has hands softer than butter and a bullet of a one-timer that's led to 61 goals in two seasons. He also has great vision as a passer, compiling 90 assists in two seasons.
Much of Panarin's success can be credited to his linemate, Patrick Kane. However, Kane has also enjoyed his two best offensive seasons playing alongside Panarin. Coincidence? I think not.
Even though Saad is a five-year veteran, he's actually a year younger than Panarin. He is a reliable two-way player and a legitimate top-six forward with 30-goal potential.
Both of these players come with a cap hit of $6 million per season, although Panarin has just two years left on his deal, while Saad has four years remaining.
Goals are tough to come by in the NHL these days. Columbus, which needed that one dynamic offensive player to compliment its deep, well-rounded offensive attack, gets that player in Panarin. He's a difference-maker offensively, and that's why Columbus wins this trade.
Rangers trade Raanta, Stepan to Coyotes for DeAngelo, 7th overall pick
This is quite a puzzling move for Arizona, to say the least.
For a team that's supposed to be/should be doing a total tank/rebuild/overhaul, trading away a top-10 pick (albeit in a weak draft) and DeAngelo - a former first-round pick who has the potential to be an elite offensive defenseman in this league - makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Sure, Arizona is addressing a need in goal with Raanta, who owns a career .917 save percentage and 2.33 goals-against average, but it's also taking on the horrible contract of Stepan, who has a cap hit of $6.5 million through 2020-21.
Stepan is an average second-line center at best, and while his contract is helping Arizona get to the cap floor today, it could hurt the team in the long run when it's ready to compete.
The Rangers now need a backup goaltender and a center, but this move gives them much-needed cap flexibility and two players (DeAngelo and whomever they select seventh overall) that will help them in the long run.
Blackhawks trade Hjalmarsson to Coyotes for Murphy, Dauphin
Murphy is 24 years old, stable but not flashy, shoots right-handed (teams covet right-handed defensemen), and is locked up at a modest $3.85-million cap hit for the next five years.
Hjalmarsson is certainly a better defenseman than Murphy today, but he's 30 years old. Again, this move just doesn't make sense for a rebuilding team. It's not like Hjalmarsson is going to push the Coyotes over the top to become a playoff team.
Just for good measure, Dauphin is only 22 years old and scored 17 goals in 38 AHL games last year, so he obviously has some potential.
If the Coyotes decide to flip Hjalmarsson - a legitimate top-four defenseman with championship pedigree - for assets to a team that's ready to compete, then this deal could make sense for the Yotes. But as of now, it's ugly.
Saad rejoins the club that drafted him in the second round in 2011 and where he played his first three full years in the league before the team was forced to reluctantly deal him away two years ago.
"It was a tough move a couple of years ago to have to make that trade," general manager Stan Bowman said, according to CSN Chicago's Tracey Myers. "Today my conversation had a much different tone.
"We always hoped to get him back here at some point."
Meanwhile, Saad admits that the feeling was mutual, though he never envisioned it happening so quickly.
"Definitely a thought in my mind of possibly ending up in Chicago (again)." Saad said.
Of course Saad is looking forward to possibly being reunited with Jonathan Toews.
"He's been a great friend. Getting that chance to play back with him, he's an incredible player," Saad said of Toews. "Someone I had early success with early in my career. To be reunited will definitely be fun to get that opportunity."
In four years spent with the Blackhawks, Saad tallied 52 goals and 126 points in 208 games while adding another 37 points in 72 playoff games.
Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka got a jump on draft day by making a pair of trades that addressed a trio of needs, namely at center, on defense, and in net.
We are very pleased to acquire Niklas. He's an elite player and one of the NHL's top defenseman. He's a warrior who played a key role in Chicago's last three Stanley Cup wins. We are thrilled to have him join our team.
We are thrilled to acquire Derek. Our organization has been searching for a true No. 1 center for over a decade and we are confident that he can be that for us.
On Raanta:
Antti is a highly skilled, athletic goaltender. We're confident that he can emerge as an excellent starting goalie for us
It's been a busy week in Arizona, having previously traded starting goalie Mike Smith, and parted ways with the face of the franchise, Shane Doan, as well as longtime head coach Dave Tippett.
The Coyotes do still have a first-round pick in Friday's draft, the 23rd overall selection that was sent from Minnesota in last season's Martin Hanzal trade.
We all remember the intense buildup to last season's NHL trade deadline - and the wave of disappointment that swept over us when few impact deals were made before the pencils-down moment on the afternoon of March 1.
Imagine, then, the elation at seeing so many big names changing places in the days - even hours - prior to the opening night of the NHL draft Friday. Entering the day, teams had combined to make 15 deals involving 22 players, 19 draft picks, and four sets of "expansion draft considerations" tied to the creation of the Vegas Golden Knights' inaugural roster.
There has always been activity leading into the draft, but how did that window overtake the in-season trade deadline as the time that makes the majority of NHL fans gasp in amazement? Here are three of the biggest reasons why:
Salary Cap Flexibility
In season, teams are required to fit within the salary cap window. For the buyers, that means making space for any players acquired that might put the team over the cap. For the sellers, it means staying above the cap floor.
But since teams have until the start of a new season to get their cap situation in order, there is generally much more flexibility with regard to player movement. And in some cases, teams are forced to address their cap problems this way, primarily by shuffling the decks, shipping out players with big impending price tags for substitutes with lower salaries and friendly term.
The Blackhawks are a perfect example of this. While Panarin and Saad both make $6 million per year, Saad's deal extends four more years, while Panarin's contract expires at the end of the 2018-19 season - and if he continues on his current trajectory, it's easy to see him making $7 million or more in his new pact.
Now that teams have a firm grasp on the nuances of the salary cap, look for the offseason to feature many more transactions than in years past.
Greater Parity
Over the past decade, the NHL standings have tightened up considerably, to the point where it isn't unusual to see a team finish out of the postseason one year and challenge for a top-3 spot in the conference the next. And when it comes to the trade deadline, that level of parity means fewer sellers.
Only teams that are truly out of the postseason picture can be considered strong candidates to make significant roster moves at the deadline - and even then, those moves have to fit within today's cap confines. What you're more likely to see are a flurry of minor moves as teams look to address weaknesses without compromising the fluidity of their rosters
While that parity doesn't exactly disappear in the offseason, there is less pressure on the league's 30 front offices to not make a colossal mistake. After all, even if an offseason deal doesn't work out, a team still has plenty of time to fix it. So, what better time to swing for the fences than just after the end of the previous season?
Draft Picks as Currency
Draft picks have always been one of the key drivers of NHL trades, but they take on added importance in the days leading into the draft. This is particularly true once the official draft order is set; once the value of a team's picks has been established, it makes it much easier for both the pick seller and the pick buyer to come to an accord.
We saw this take shape last year, when the Coyotes agreed to take on the contract of departed Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk and was given Detroit's first-round pick (seventh overall) as the sweetener. Arizona used that pick on defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who became a valuable member of the Coyotes' blue line and has a minuscule cap hit through 2019.
As non-contending teams continue to lean on young core players under cap-friendly deals, expect to see the value of a first-round pick increase even more. But don't think for a minute that those picks won't be dealt. Whether it's to land a marquee forward, or to get rid of a cap-shredding contract, teams will always dangle first-rounders on draft night - and get eager takers.
After eight years in the desert, Dave Tippett is out as coach of the Arizona Coyotes. The team announced the move late Thursday, adding the search for the next bench boss will begin immediately.
Here are five resumes, each offering something unique, that could come across the desk of general manager John Chayka:
Todd Nelson
Fresh off a Calder Cup win with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Coyotes would be wise to consider Todd Nelson.
The 48-year-old had his first go-around in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers in 2014-15, lasting 46 games before getting the ax. Since his departure, he's spent two seasons with Grand Rapids, bringing his total to seven years as an AHL head coach after a five-year run with Oklahoma City.
Nelson's resume also shows three years as an NHL assistant, including a year with the Oilers and two seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers. He also guided the Muskegon Fury to back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005 in the now-defunct United Hockey League.
Lindy Ruff
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
If Tippett is known for a tight, defensive structure, the Coyotes could reach for the other end of the spectrum with Lindy Ruff, a veteran bench boss who can unleash his team's offensive arsenal.
Dumped by the Dallas Stars after a four-year run, few available coaches bring experience comparable to Ruff, who ranks fifth all time with 736 victories to his name. Prior to taking his talents to Texas, Ruff was behind the Buffalo Sabres' bench for 15 seasons, a tenure which included a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999.
While the Stars' problems last season came from their blue line and in keeping pucks out of their own net, Dallas never had a problem generating offense under Ruff. His most impressive offensive campaign came in 2015-16, when the Stars led the NHL with 267 goals.
Jim Playfair
The quickest move could be to shift Tippett's duties to Jim Playfair, who did not follow the head coach through the exit door. Playfair has served as Coyotes associate coach for the past six seasons.
Such a move could give Arizona a leg up in training camp, with Playfair already familiar with the current roster. The 53-year-old has been responsible for the Coyotes' defensive core, playing a key role in the development of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the recently departed Connor Murphy, and last season's rookie blue-liner Jakob Chychrun.
Prior to joining the Coyotes in 2011, Playfair spent 11 years with the Calgary Flames organization, including five seasons as the AHL coach, five campaigns as an NHL assistant, and as the Flames head coach in 2006-07, in which the team lost in Round 1 of the playoffs.
Willie Desjardins
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Willie Desjardins brings a wealth of experience in working with young players across different leagues.
Prior to his three years with the Vancouver Canucks, in which he was relieved following the 2016-17 season, Desjardins spent nine seasons with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, capturing the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2004 and 2007.
Three years later, Desjardins joined the Stars as an associate coach before being moved to the AHL head coaching position in 2012. In his second season with the AHL's Texas Stars, Desjardins posted a 48-18-10 record en route to a Calder Cup championship. In all, Desjardins would bring no shortage of winning pedigree to the Coyotes.
Dallas Eakins
Chayka has built his career on analytics, and there is no doubt he could have lengthy discussions about the topic with Dallas Eakins, a fellow supporter of advanced statistics.
"When you talk to people in hockey, and even fans, there's such a divide. You're either for these analytics or you're against them," Eakins told ESPN in 2015. "For the life of me, I can't wrap my head around why the analytics guys hate the old-school guys and the old-school guys hate the analytics. Why wouldn't you look at (advanced stats)? I don't understand why you would not at least look at them."
After a disastrous and short-lived tenure as coach of the Oilers, in which Eakins secured 36 wins in 113 games, he has rebuilt himself as the bench boss of the AHL's San Diego Gulls, the minor-league affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. Eakins has played a key role in the development of the Ducks' young defensemen, namely Brandon Montour and Shea Theodore, who was recently claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Flames coach Glen Gulutzan, who at 40 was named coach of the Stars, can certainly relate to Eakins. Gulutzan lasted two seasons in Dallas before resurfacing as Flames bench boss this season. It was a solid campaign for Gulutzan, who finished sixth in coach of the year voting. Eakins, who spent four games during his playing days with the Coyotes, could see a similar revival.
