NHL TRADE DEADLINE REVIEW pt. 2

Jared Rotenberg

Florida Panthers acquire; Claude Giroux (Forward), Connor Bunnaman (Forward, Prospect) and German Rubtsov (Forward, Prospect), and a 2024 5th round pick

Philadelphia Flyers acquire; Owen Tippett (Forward), 2024 1st round pick (or 2025 1st round pick), and a 2023 3rd round pick

This trade was easily the largest of the trade deadline, as Claude Giroux finally has been shipped out of Philly and sent to the Sunshine State, to lace up with the high flying Florida Panthers. While throughout most of the trades of this deadline, I have favoured the result of the seller, this is a trade where most definitely the winner is the contending team that acquired superstar forward Claude Giroux. Giroux is a player who has been in the league for many years, even coming two games away from winning the Stanley Cup all the way back in 2010 with the Philadelphia Flyers. However, after falling short back then, he has never even been close to returning to that level in the playoffs, and is still hunting for his first ever Stanley Cup, now with the Florida Panthers.

To break down the trade, the Panthers, aside from Giroux, also acquired two forward prospects, and a 5th round pick, making them the clear winners. To look at what the Flyers got, they did get a good prospect in Owen Tippett, who was drafted in the first round in 2017 and never truly found a fit in Florida. As well, they got a first round pick and a third round pick. If Owen Tippett can find a way to live up to his potential when he was first drafted, then this trade can age well for the Flyers, however today the Panthers absolutely are the winner of this trade.

Toronto Maple Leafs acquire; Mark Giordano (Defenseman) and Colin Blackwell (Forward)

Seattle Kraken acquire; 2022 2nd round pick, 2023 2nd round pick, and 2024 3rd round pick

Say it with me, Leafs fans, “Mark Giordano is a Leaf!”. As is Colin Blackwell. Best of all, it didn’t even cost a first round pick or a prospect. If you cannot already tell, this trade is most definitely a win for the Toronto Maple Leafs in my opinion, and I am thrilled with this return. Admittedly, two second round picks and a third round pick is a nice haul for the Seattle Kraken, however, there is no question that this trade provides the Leafs with two major additions in hopes of finally finding playoff success. Giordano is a veteran defenseman, who is only 3 years removed from his 2019 Norris trophy winning season.

He may not be the player he once was, and he has slowed down significantly since then, however he is still an amazing leader and an incredibly smart defenseman that will bring a lot to the defensive core of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Moving on, the next player the Leafs acquired in this trade is a lot less significant of a name than Giordano, however forward Colin Blackwell could prove to be a fantastic addition for the bottom 6 of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is somewhat undersized, standing at 5’9”, however, he is a tough and physical defensive forward, and will provide the Leafs with some additional grit before the playoffs. Blackwell also carries a cap hit of $725,000 dollars, which is just above league minimum, making this a great value player for the Maple Leafs.

Minnesota Wild acquires; Marc-Andre Fleury (Goaltender)

Chicago Blackhawks acquire; Conditional 2022 2nd round pick

Earlier in the trade deadline, the Minnesota Wild traded away goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen. The reason they did this was to free up space in order to acquire reigning Vezina trophy winning goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. In the long run, this is a great trade for the Blackhawks, as they traded away Fleury’s $7 million dollar cap hit, which expires at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. The return they got for him was a conditional second round pick, that can become a first round pick if the Minnesota Wild ultimately make it to the Western Conference finals in the playoffs.

While the Blackhawks may wind up being the long term winner of this trade, today, the Wild absolutely improved, acquiring a phenomenal goalie to help them go on a lengthy playoff run. They are now significantly better in net, and they could wind up as a winner if they could find success and work out an extension for this 37 year old goaltender, however with Fleury expiring at the conclusion of this year, Chicago most definitely is the winner of this trade.

New York Rangers acquire; Andrew Copp (Forward), 2023 6th round pick

Winnipeg Jets acquire; Morgan Barron (Forward), conditional 2022 2nd round pick (2022 2nd round pick will become a 2022 1st round pick if the Rangers advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and Copp plays in at least 50% of their playoff games), conditional 2023 2nd round pick, and a 2023 5th round pick

This is a trade where the New York Rangers got a very valuable position for their hopeful playoff run. Despite the value the Rangers acquired, which will be beneficial for them considering his two way game, considering his $3.64 million dollar cap hit they took on for this player, and the picks and prospects they were forced to part ways with, this is absolutely a win for the Winnipeg Jets.

They acquired a 23 year old forward prospect, along with a 2022 second round pick, which has the potential to become a first round pick if the Rangers go to the Eastern Conference Finals and Copp plays in at least 50% of the games), a 2023 second round pick, and a 2025 fifth round pick. Considering the cap space the Jets freed up, and the picks and prospects they got for this one player and a sixth round pick, this is a very good trade for Winnipeg, despite absolutely benefiting the New York Rangers as well.

Pittsburgh Penguins acquire; Rickard Rakell (Forward)

Anaheim Ducks acquire; Zach Aston-Reese (Forward), Dominik Simon (Forward), Calle Clang (Goaltender), and a 2022 2nd round pick

After what seems like years of trade rumours, Rickard Rakell has finally found himself traded out of Anaheim, as he has just been sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for two solid forwards, a goalie prospect (2020 third round pick), and a 2022 second round pick. To be honest, this is probably the trade I am most conflicted on, as the Ducks got a major haul for an upcoming UFA, while the Penguins got a great player to add to an already amazing lineup.

There is tons of potential in what the Ducks acquired, and it very much may age well, however today, as they approach the playoffs, the Penguins got the best player, thus granting them the trade win. If they cannot extend Rakell in the offseason, then this trade completely falls on its face, however, the skill of this 28 year old forward shines bright, and with his capability of playing a strong two way game, this could be an amazing trade for Pittsburgh and their hopes at reclaiming playoff glory.