Tag Archives: Trades

NHL Rumor Mill (Trade Deadline Edition) – February 29, 2016

It’s NHL Trade Deadline Day. Check out the latest noable trade rumors and speculations.   THE NHL TRADE DEADLINE IS 3 PM ET TODAY.  LIST OF POTENTIAL TRADE CANDIDATES. NJ.com: presents a list of the top-25 players who could be on the trade block today. Among the notables are the usual suspects (Boston Bruins right wing […]

Maple Leafs trade Winnik to Capitals for Laich, Carrick, 2nd-round pick

Lou Lamoriello just keeps selling players and adding draft picks.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Daniel Winnik and a fifth-round pick in 2016 to the Washington Capitals on Sunday in exchange for forward Brooks Laich, defenseman Connor Carrick, and a second-round pick in this year's draft, the teams announced.

This is the second consecutive season the Maple Leafs have dealt Winnik at the trade deadline: They traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins last year before he re-signed in Toronto as a free agent. The 30-year-old will now have an opportunity to win the Cup with the league-best Capitals.

There was no salary retained in the deal, meaning the Leafs will pay Laich's full $4.5-million deal for the rest of this season and next.

Toronto's ability to take his full salary is believed to have earned the Leafs the second-rounder - which gives them eight picks in the first four rounds of June's draft.

By shedding Laich's salary, the Capitals now have around $2.2 million in cap space heading into Monday's trade deadline, and gives them more room to use this coming offseason.

The 32-year-old, who was waived Saturday in an attempt to clear cap space, has a goal and six assists in 60 games this season.

Carrick, 21, was a fifth-round selection by the Capitals in 2013. The right-handed blue-liner has a goal and five assists in 37 career NHL games. He's spent the majority of this season with the AHL's Hershey Bears.

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Report: Hurricanes trade Versteeg to Kings for Zykov, 5th-round pick

The Los Angeles Kings may be the next Stanley Cup contender to add a rental ahead of the trade deadline.

The Kings appear to be closing in on a trade to acquire veteran forward Kris Versteeg from the Carolina Hurricanes, according to multiple reports.

In return, Los Angeles is believed to be sending Russian prospect Valentin Zykov and a conditional fifth-round pick, according to Kings insider Jon Rosen.

Versteeg was held out of the Hurricanes' lineup for Sunday's 5-2 loss against the St. Louis Blues. The 32-year-old is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning with them in 2010 and 2015.

He has 11 goals and 22 assists in 63 games this season.

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Rangers GM hopes trade re-energizes Staal, says Yandle won’t be traded

New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton met with the media after pulling off a massive trade Sunday, acquiring Eric Staal from the Carolina Hurricanes for two draft picks and a prospect.

Gorton's most important messages: The Rangers may not be done adding ahead of Monday's trade deadline, and defenseman Keith Yandle - and his expiring contract - will not be traded.

"We're looking at a player we think can be energized by this trade," Gorton said about Staal. "We see the numbers. We scouted him a lot. (I) think this really helps our top nine, center, wing, (and) power play. I think it's a pretty exciting time for our team. I think they'll be energized."

Gorton wouldn't talk about Staal's future, and whether he may be a Ranger next season and beyond.

"He's a Ranger for today and we'll see what happens," he said. "We felt like he was one of the - if not the - best available players on the market. To have Marc (Staal) here had to have helped, (Eric) would've known what it's like to play in New York."

It's the second straight season the Rangers have made a splash around the trade deadline. Last year it was made by acquiring Yandle, and Gorton was explicit about the defender's future.

"We're not trading him."

Gorton added that the Rangers could still add to their roster - if necessary, and if the price is right.

"We have enough (cap) room to add a small salary player if we wanted to," he said.

Make no mistake: The Rangers are all-in.

- With H/T to Steve Zipay, Pat Leonard, and Andrew Gross.

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Hurricanes Trade Eric Staal to New York Rangers.

The Carolina Hurricanes have traded center Eric Staal to the New York Rangers for two second picks and prospect Aleksi Saarela.   SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes also reportedly agreed to pick up half of Staal’s remaining salary. The picks are a second in 2016 and in 2017. Several weeks of speculation linking Staal to the Rangers […]

Report: Hurricanes trade Eric Staal to Rangers

It's the end of an era.

The Carolina Hurricanes have reportedly traded their captain Eric Staal to the New York Rangers, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

Staal has waived his no-movement clause, according to McKenzie, who adds that the believed return is two second-round picks and Finnish prospect Aleksi Saarela.

The Hurricanes will retain 50 percent of Staal's remaining salary, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Staal's on an expiring contract, earning $9.5 million in salary and carrying a cap hit of $8.25 million. He's owed over $1.8 million over the rest of the season, according to NHL Numbers.

More to come.

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On the Fly, NHL Roundtable: Grading Saturday’s 4 big trades

On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues. We're handing out grades after a flurry of action Saturday on the trade market.

Reimer to Sharks

Navin Vaswani: The Toronto Maple Leafs traded goaltender James Reimer and forward Jeremy Morin to the San Jose Sharks for goalie Alex Stalock, forward Ben Smith, and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2018.

Maple Leafs Grade: C-

Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello said there wasn't much of a market for a rental goalie among playoff teams, and while he certainly knows better than I do, this is a disappointing return for the best goalie Toronto's employed in a decade. Stalock and Smith aren't in Toronto's future plans, and the pick turns into a third-rounder if San Jose makes the Stanley Cup Final - which isn't happening. In the end, a fourth-round pick is better than nothing, as Toronto continues to stockpile assets. However, that doesn't make the return any less disappointing.

Sharks Grade: B+

Sharks general manager Doug Wilson did all of his shopping with the Maple Leafs, which is a bit disturbing if you're a San Jose supporter (Roman Polak and Nick Spaling were acquired on Feb. 22). But he did well, especially in adding Reimer, giving his club valuable insurance behind No. 1 goalie Martin Jones, who has never started a playoff game. The Sharks appear to be a lock to make the postseason in the Pacific, and once they get there, anything can happen. Ask Reimer.

Hudler heads to Florida

Mark Millard: The Calgary Flames traded forward Jiri Hudler to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a second-round pick in 2016, and a fourth-round pick in 2018.

Flames Grade: B-

Flames general manager Brad Treliving made it perfectly clear his team is officially open for business after trading Hudler to the Panthers. Calgary certainly comprehends it must emulate the Maple Leafs and stockpile as many draft picks as possible in the coming seasons, and it did just that with this deal. Hudler - a 32-year-old pending unrestricted free agent - has certainly regressed this season after a career-high 76-point campaign in 2014-15, but he can still produce in a top-six role. It was difficult to imagine the Flames receiving much more than a second-round pick given the rental market, so adding a pair of picks is a good start with defenseman Kris Russell expected to fetch an even bigger return by Monday's deadline.

Panthers Grade: B+

Panthers general manager Dale Tallon was a man on a mission Saturday, making three consecutive trades, highlighted by the addition of Hudler. With the Eastern Conference - Washington Capitals aside - being fairly up for grabs, it certainly makes sense for the Panthers to make short-term adds without sacrificing their long-term plans. Tallon did that in acquiring a consistent 50-point player without giving up any young pieces or roster players in return. Given Hudler's international chemistry with country-mate Jaromir Jagr, he should be a solid veteran compliment to a young team with much to learn. However, the Panthers still haven't addressed their significant weakness on the left side.

Panthers nab Purcell

Vaswani: The Panthers traded a 2016 3rd-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers for Teddy Purcell.

Oilers Grade: B

Everyone knew the Oilers were selling, so to add a third-round pick for an ageing 30-year-old scorer who is owed another million for the rest of the season is a rather decent return. Purcell's only scored 20 or more once in his career, and clearly wasn't in the ever-rebuilding Oilers' future plans. General manager Peter Chiarelli did good, knowing the Panthers didn't want to part with any of their prospects.

Panthers Grade: B

Tallon gets a "B," too, for sticking to his guns and keeping his upstart club intact. Florida's a great mix of young and old, and Purcell brings playoff experience - he had 17 points in 18 games during the Tampa Bay Lightning's run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2011. The Panthers wanted to add help on the wing, and instead of getting the big fish in Andrew Ladd and parting with valuable prospect capital, they got the help they needed in a couple of bodies while ensuring they'll remain competitive for years to come. Enjoy the postseason, Miami. It's actually happening.

Schultz gets his wings in Pittsburgh

Millard: The Oilers traded defenseman Justin Schultz to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a third-round pick in 2016.

Oilers Grade: C

The Oilers were definitely in a very tough spot with Schultz. The once highly touted prospect found himself playing the worst hockey of his career, and there was quite simply no getting away from it in Edmonton. Chiarelli did just about as well as he could have hoped in landing a third-round pick for Schultz, essentially making it a housekeeping move that provides an additional trade chip in the offseason. However, it remains a significantly low return for a player who could certainly turn things around with a change of scenery.

Penguins Grade: B

Given the way Schultz has played over the past two seasons, it's very difficult to envision him suddenly becoming a game-changing defenseman in Pittsburgh. But the 25-year-old is still equipped with upside, and a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs. Considering the very small price it required to land him, and the fact that he remains under control as a restricted free agent likely due for a very small extension in the summer, Pittsburgh did very well in making a low-risk move to land a player with potential long-term game - if he can figure it out. Allowing Sergei Gonchar to mentor Schultz from the get-go is certainly a step in the right direction.

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Penguins’ Gonchar will work with Schultz to help him find his game

Justin Schultz, meet Sergei Gonchar.

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded for Schultz on Saturday, acquiring the 25-year-old defenseman for a 2016 third-round draft pick. And it'll be up to Gonchar, the former NHLer who's now Pittsburgh's defensive development coach, to fix Schultz.

Schultz is in his fourth season in the league, but it's been all downhill since his rookie year, when he had 27 points in the lockout-shortened 48-game 2013 season. He had 33 points in 2013-14, 31 last season, and has seen his production dip dramatically this season, recording only three goals and seven assists in 45 games.

While Schultz's career began with plenty of hype, playing for the Edmonton Oilers hasn't seemed easy nor fun for him. There was a lot of pressure, and he struggled to live up to it. Under new head coach Todd McLellan, Schultz saw his ice time drop to a career-low 20:08 per game.

The move should help Schultz, as he'll be out of the spotlight in Pittsburgh and simply one of the guys on a far more talented team. Gonchar, an offensive defenseman in his day, should be able to impart some wisdom, and so will Kris Letang, who's one of the best right-handed offensive defensemen in the game.

After three-and-a-half seasons in Edmonton, Schultz has nowhere to go but up. And for his sake, hopefully the playoffs.

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Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup (Part One) – February 28, 2016

Latest on Eric Staal, Jonathan Drouin, Chris Kunitz, Mikkel Boedker, Kris Russell and many more in part one of your Sunday NHL rumor roundup.  HIGHLIGHTS FROM GARRIOCH’S LATEST “INSIDER TRADING.” OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Carolina Hurricanes will soon learn if captain Eric Staal is willing to waive his no-trade clause before tomorrow’s 3 […]