As is often the case around the trade deadline, there was a flurry of moves but only a handful involving players of prominence (including Ryan McDonagh to Tampa Bay, Paul Stastny to Winnipeg, and Rick Nash to Boston). Considering the players who were rumored to be available, some of the non-trades certainly came as a surprise.
Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson was the biggest name out there and while it seemed like a longshot at first, the rumors only seemed to intensify to the point where it started to look like he would have indeed been dealt. By all accounts, Vegas was in it until the dying minutes but a deal failed to materialize while other teams had also had discussions. Instead, his future will now have to be addressed in the summer.
Another Senator, Mike Hoffman, also failed to move despite being signed for two more years at a reasonable rate. Max Pacioretty out of Montreal had been available for a couple of months at least and despite a down season, has been one of the top scorers around the league in the past several years but it appears that no trade was particularly close.
Many viewed Detroit’s Mike Green as the top rental blueliner available but he wound up staying put. His neck injury certainly lessened the overall interest but even with the extra risk, he still appeared to be close to a lock to move. Jack Johnson, another rental defender, had asked for a trade from Columbus early in the year and the team had even gone and acquired a possible replacement for him in Ian Cole but in the end, he remains with the Blue Jackets.
Which of these non-moves was the biggest surprise in your opinion? Have your say by voting in the poll below.
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Anyone who doesn’t vote for Green is a fool. Especially Karlsson voters. Smart people realize a Karlsson deal was never close and that media hyped it up so much so that people would watch their Trade Deadline coverages.
Green for sure. Holland couldn’t even swing a 7th rounder? I don’t get it. A right handed shot and offensive minded dman would help a lot of teams right about now
While I agree whole heartedly that Green should have been moved, I’m pretty sure he had a NTC and would only waive it for Tampa or Washington.
Karlsson not getting moved isn’t surprising, especially since Ottawa wanted a team to take Bobby Ryan in a deal. That much cap changing hands is an offseason deal. The obvious choice is Mike Green since he didn’t get moved, but its understandable considering his injury. I guess it depends on how much, if any, interest there was in Green. Although even if the offers were bad, Detroit still probably should’ve moved him since he doesn’t fit their future plans (although at that point, fans and analysts would be criticizing Detroit for not getting back enough). So while it’s surprising Green didn’t get moved, we’d have to find out how much interest there was in him and what the offers were like.
I thought for sure Jack Johnson would get moved.
Not sure how people are saying Green.
Green said he would only waive for Tampa or Washington. If those teams weren’t interested then no deal to be made. Tampa got the better player so that left only Washington.
It’s surprising that Holland couldn’t convince him to go somewhere else.
No reason for Green to waive his contract to go somewhere he might not be comfortable. While I’m sure he wouldn’t have minded chasing a ring, he probably valued comfort more.