As we head into the stretch run of the 2021-22 season, PHR is excited to announce a new feature aimed at encouraging discourse between reader and writer. On Friday mornings (and perhaps even more often than that), we’ll post a topic of discussion that we think will draw out varied and interesting perspectives from both our commenters and the other staff writers.
For too long there has only been a couple of outlets for our readers to interact with the PHR staff. Live chats and mailbags offer a chance at some discussion, but also run the risk of being too crowded or even outdated by the time the answer arrives. With this new feature, we’re hoping to get weekly chatter going on a topic that normally would have to be brought into the spotlight by a reader before even being discussed.
Today, for the inaugural post, we’ll be talking about the trade deadline and specifically how the early returns appear at this point. Which team did the best? Which move seems like a big mistake? What pending UFA benefited most? This will be a free-flowing discussion that doesn’t have a lot of guidelines, so make sure you chime in and check regularly to continue the conversation.
For me, I still look at what the Ducks did as a big win. I know, I know, the team has lost 11 in a row and is no sure thing to get to the playoffs next season, but locking in those pending UFAs would have been a mistake. The fact that they added such a haul to a system that already has so many good young players is going to make Anaheim a lot better in the long run, even if it will take a little bit more pain (and may end up costing a coach his job).
On the buying side of things, boy does that Tampa Bay team look like it’s going to be a juggernaut again. They traded that huge package for Hagel and he’s playing like 11 minutes a night. Talk about depth. They’ve shown over and over that they can find gems in the later rounds, so maybe it wasn’t even that big of a package really–at least in their minds. Really interested in seeing how far they can go–maybe even a three-peat.
I came to this comment section to specifically mention the Ducks, Gavin, haha. I really like what the new FO did there in moving the guys they had to move, and not just staying put and being afraid to move guys, like how a new regime might be sometimes.
Agreed, and Verbeek did pretty well in each return too. Not that we should be surprised really, but sometimes new GMs get pushed around a bit.
I think the avs overpaid for lehkonen. If I’m correct he still has not played there yet and they have a second and a big name prospect for him. Montreal won that deal
He’s played a couple times now, and was really good last night. But I don’t really disagree. Lehkonen is a good player, but it was a lot–I’m a big fan of Barron’s game.
I would agree. Lehkonen is a 30-point player whose best goal-scoring season came as a rookie five years ago. He’s a fine complementary piece and there is extra value in his RFA status, but not worth a package that likely could have landed Rickard Rakell instead. A rare miss by Sakic.
We’ve heard rumblings about a major deal between the Coyotes and Canadians that didn’t quite happen — but could certainly be completed by draft day. We haven’t heard a lot of names other than Shea Weber’s contact, but I’m wondering if Montreal is where Chychrun winds up? Maybe the Yotes take back Dvorak and also some prospects and high picks over the next couple drafts from Montreal?
With the moves Montreal has made under their new management, it would be surprising to see them quickly change course towards a win-now approach and pay the high asking price for Chychrun.
If a Weber deal gets done, it’s possible that the framework is similar to the one that saw Marian Hossa join the Coyotes in 2017 considering the speculation that’s out there about it potentially involving other pieces. That trade involved six other players and two draft picks by the time it was all said and done and showed there was a hockey-related element to the move and wasn’t simply Chicago clearing out the three years left on Hossa’s deal. That’s a tough move to do at the deadline but is much more plausible in the summer where there is more time to get the particulars in place.
I’m curious how Lightning fans feel about Hagel so far. As a Hawks fan, I’ve been pretty impressed with Raddysh in particular. I though the Hawks got a good return anyways, but if Raddysh can be an 80% version of Hagel and Katchouk can be a real contributor, that trade can be a home run for the Hawks (which doesn’t necessarily make it a bad trade for Tampa).
While both teams seemingly gave up a lot – a young contributor for the Hawks and two firsts for the Bolts – it’s hard to dislike the trade for either. I think that Hagel is a very good player, but I think there is enough doubt about whether he has rebuild centerpiece upside that Chicago getting two first-rounders and two players of similar age with great draft pedigree is an incredible haul for a team starting from scratch. In Tampa, the Lighting have a new Blake Coleman; a two-year investment (and likely beyond) in a player who doesn’t need to be a star, but just a consistent complimentary scorer at a bargain price. They gave up a lot of futures to get him, but the Bolts are really only focused on the present for as long as they can retain their core within the salary cap constraints.
Lightning fan here :) I love the deal. Not, that the Bolts are looking that good at the moment, but Hagel is a 23-year-old that has a proven record to be not only NHL ready but who can also carry his line through a hard fought game. Every draft pick, that is not top 12/top 15 carries some sort of risk. I can’t see much risk with Hagel. On the other hand, I am honestly happy about the start Raddysh had in Chicago. He is getting minutes, also on the powerplay, that Tampa could not give him.
As a hawks fan I’m pleased to see our GM actually committing to a rebuild, you can’t not love hagel when he is on your team however I think Davidson did the right thing for the blackhawks future, and gettin raddysh seems to have been a very nice pickup for the present and moving forward
Leafs seemed to make some good moves with Giordano, Blackwell, and Lyubushkin, but missed addressing their goaltending depth. It’s a big gamble to rely on Campbell for a team with Cup hopes. I have a bit of hope he can regain his early season form that had him in the super-early Vezina conversation.
Giordano has been awesome for the Maple Leafs, but I also hope everyone saw Wheeler make him a turnstile last night. There’s something so appealing to me about a 6’5″ player that can move that well. Wheeler has always been a favorite to watch.
Fleury to Mini. he has been good in his first two games but come playoff time, what do you see happening. The Wild sont rotate G men in the playoffs will they?
I thought the wings did well on the Leddy deal to St Louis. A second round and useable players (lottery tickets)for 5 weeks of Leddy was great. His remaining time on the wings was of no use to a team going noware this year. Good luck to him. Hope he helps them in the playoffs.
Basically turned a 2021 2nd into a 2023 2nd and two roster players. Nice tidy work from Yzerman.
Interestingly enough though, the Islanders picked Aatu Raty with that 2021 2nd. Gonna be interesting to watch that, because of how high his ceiling is.
The funny part is that it’s one of the picks that Detroit got from Edmonton in that Athanasiou deal. Gosh, that’s going to go down as one of the worst moments for them. Imagine if they had Brock Faber and Aatu Raty in the pipeline right now instead of that one (1!) goal that AA scored for them before going unqualified. I don’t think we talk about that enough.
Not a deadline deal but major trade none the less, I’m sure liking what the Sabres received so far in the Jack eichel swap.
The two players Are definitely plus additions to the Sabres roster and we’ll see how the draft picks play out later. But pretty pleased so far. Thoughts?
By the way.., love this idea of interaction between reader and writer. Even though you guys are busy this added little feature is pretty cool.
Heh, I’ve made about a dozen comments about how Eichel’s overrated — he’s a fine player, but I wouldn’t rate him within the top ten centers in the league. So of course Vegas goes after the shiny toy they couldn’t afford, they completely shackled themselves against the cap, and Alex Tuch is OUTPERFORMING him, on the scoresheet AND on analytics.
I think you’re absolutely right there. It’s very hard to get fair value if you’re the team shipping away a talent like Eichel. Quantity-over-quality is usually the way these deals go, just look at the return Ottawa received from Vegas for Mark Stone. But with the Eichel trade, Buffalo now has Tuch, who is a great fit for the Sabres’ market being from Syracuse and he has been playing very well, and they also have Peyton Krebs looks really, really good. Plus they got picks, too.
Lots of people were pretty pessimistic about what Kevyn Adams would get for Eichel, but based on these early returns it’s hard to see how he could have done a better job.
For my money, Dallas was the team that blew it the most. Once you had crazy overpays like a second rounder for Jeremy-freaking-Lauzon out there, anyone with half a brain had to figure that they could get the sun, moon and stars (pun not intended) for Klingberg, and the way he’s playing, for Pavelski as well. It’s not as if even if they make the playoffs they’re going very far, and it’s an elderly team with a dire need to reload.
There is a lot of pressure in Dallas to make the playoffs this season, but I do agree that in a purely hockey-driven decision, trading Klingberg was the move.
Stars underpaid the wings for namasnikolv! sp…..a fine gritty player who plays with heart and soul !!!! I would have thought a package with maybe a 5th or 6th could have got Detroit a 2nd rounder!
Don’t worry, he’ll be back! LOL
Just wanted to say I love this idea