NHL Trade Deadline: BUYER Grades
- iAmMizz!
- Feb 26, 2020
- 9 min read
With the NHL Trade Deadline passing on Monday, we as fans finally saw if our teams decided to BUY or SELL. In this article, I will be grading each BUYER (or team competing for the Stanley Cup in 2020) this deadline. This article will only include trades made after February 1st.
Vegas Golden Knights: A
Of all the teams to go out and secure a top goaltending asset at the deadline, who would of thought it would be Vegas who gets Robin Lehner (with veteran Marc-Andre Fleury already in net). The loser here is Lehner, who could have been starting for a team like Colorado, Edmonton, Vancouver, or Carolina. Instead, he's the backup to a goalie with a wealth of experience in the playoffs. Still, it's a win-win for the Golden Knights. Now they have two strong net-minders as they try and win this Pacific Division race, which could come down to every remaining game on the schedule. In the Lehner deal they sacrifice a 2020 2nd along with backup goalie Malcolm Subban, among prospects. It was a bit odd that they went and cast off fan favorite Cody Eakin, only to replace him with the similar Nick Cousins (for the same amount of draft capital in each trade). The key transaction was bringing in Alec Martinez though, a former Cup champion defenseman that has developed into a really solid player on the blue line as his career has progressed. It cost 2nd rounders in 2020 and 2021, but Martinez will be under contract with the Knights next year as well, which made this deal a slam dunk.
Pittsburgh Penguins: A -
As much as I hate to admit it, I thought the Pens had a tremendous deadline. They have had a team that has just clicked all season, and the players they added fit the system that works in Pittsburgh. That system is and has always been a grinding, shot-blocking, high energy, counter attacking unit that has led the Penguins to a ton of success during the Malkin-Crosby era. Jason Zucker is perfect for the Pens, and has performed well for them since being dealt over from Minnesota. They gave up a 1st for Zucker, but have him under contract through 2023. Alex Galchenyuk departs with the pick and a prospect to the Wild, but Galchenyuk didn't fit while Zucker does. I also love the move to bring back Conor Sheary from Buffalo, a player who excelled with Crosby at times. We already know Sheary gels in Pittsburgh because many of his old teammates are still there. Evan Rodrigues also comes over in the trade, and the young Dominik Kahun is sent to the Sabres (good piece for Buffalo). Phil Varone is another addition in a swap with Joe Blandisi, and ultra-experienced Patrick Marleau comes along for one last Cup run as a cheap vet for the Pens.
Edmonton Oilers: A -
The Oilers could use goaltending help, but like most teams this deadline, they couldn't find it because there was very little that ended up being available outside of Robin Lehner. Aside from the goalie situation, Edmonton's trade deadline was very productive this year. They find themselves in win now mode with two of the most skilled players in the game in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but these two need some assistance from their supporting cast. The Oilers front office did just that, bringing in Red Wings' forward Andreas Anthanasiou, who should be a top six forward on his new team (or at least third line), and veteran winger Tyler Ennis from Ottawa. They also added veteran defenseman Mike Green, a man with playoff experience and power-play ability. Anthanasiou is the main GET, but all in all they didn't lose much in any of the three deals, aside from two 2nd rounders and a few lower draft picks. They even managed to unload veterans like Sam Gagner and Kyle Brodziak in the process.
Vancouver Canucks: B+
The Canucks only made one big move, but I felt it was one of the better trade wins of the deadline period. The talented winger Tyler Toffoli heads from Los Angeles to Vancouver, and the price tag wasn't all that expensive being that he's a rental. Sure it could be a waste of a prospect, a 2020 2nd rounder, and a conditional pick in 2022, but Vancouver hasn't been in the playoff conversation for some time. Getting Toffoli, even if only for half a season, will help ensure that the Canucks not only make the postseason, but make an impact in it. They also pack on some goaltending depth with the veteran Louis Domingue from New Jersey (which they needed, even if it's a minor transaction that may not end up factoring).
Washington Capitals: B+
The Caps are already one of the top teams in the NHL, and they have been for quite some time. I thought it was important that they kept Braden Holtby this deadline, after hearing some rumors that they might hand things over to rookie phenom net-minder, Ilya Samsonov. If the Caps want to go with Samsonov in the playoffs, Holtby's presence shouldn't stop them from doing so, but it's better to have the pair on the roster just in case. Washington ends up trading for a plus defender rental in Brenden Dillon, a long-time Shark, and the wily sniper in Ilya Kovalchuk (they're becoming the Russian Capitals ironically). They also swap Christian Djoos for Daniel Sprong. Kovalchuk should serve a distinct role, but Dillon is a good get for a team hunting for another championship.
Carolina Hurricanes: B
The Canes overpaid for New York Rangers D-Man Brady Skjei, but they were desperate for defensemen because of injury woes. They also swapped prospects with NYR, gaining defenseman Joey Keane for forward Julien Gauthier. Even so, Carolina made the decision to be proactive, and I cannot fault them for that. They went out and acquired Panther Vincent Trocheck and Devil Sami Vatanen (injured for a couple weeks) for much less than they gave for Skjei. Trocheck (center) took two prospects, plus bottom six center-men Erik Haula and Lucas Wallmark. Vatanen (defenseman) took an AHL defenseman, a prospect, and a conditional 4th. I especially liked the upside of giving Trocheck a fresh start in a new location, he is a talented player that had fallen out of favor with Florida. Whether or not these moves pay off or not is another question, but the Hurricanes want to build on their Conference Final run in 2019, and at least they made attempts to do so. They did MISS on adding a goaltender however, which they desperately need due to injuries, and that prevents them from receiving a B+ rating.
New York Islanders: B -
The Isles came out and made some big moves to acquire players that fit their makeup. Former Devils' captain Andy Greene will provide some experience on the blue line and former Senator Jean-Gabriel Pageau is the real intriguing prize for NYI. Pageau is a do-it-all role player with playoff experience who could really contribute in Barry Trotz system. Unfortunately, the downside for the Isles is that they gave up a haul of picks for the pair, especially Pageau whose deal included a 2020 2nd, a 1st in either 2020 or '21, and a 2022 conditional 3rd (if the Islanders win the Cup). If New York flops in the playoffs, or misses it all together, these moves could spell disaster, but for now they look positive (especially considering Pageau has already signed long-term).
Calgary Flames: B -
The Flames traded for two defensemen at the deadline. Kings' Derek Forbort and Blackhawks' Erik Gustafsson (both solid players in their own right), and they only gave up a 2020 3rd and a 2021 4th in the deals. These moves have to be considered a win for Calgary, although I feel they should have targeted forward depth and a goaltender as well, which they failed to do.
Colorado Avalanche: C+
It wasn't really what the Av's were hoping for going into the deadline, but they did trade for a goaltender in Michael Hutchinson. Unfortunately, he's probably worse than the sub-par goaltending they already have. They also acquired a gritty third-line role player in Vlad Namestnikov, and didn't have to give up too much to get him (2021 4th rounder), unlike a team like the Bruins or Lightning who gave up a lot more for the assets they gained. It's not the aggressiveness that would have made them a Cup favorite, but it's still mild improvement for Colorado.
Boston Bruins: C
The Bruins were pretty quiet this deadline, but the argument could be made that they didn't need to do much. The main piece they acquired was the young sniper from Anaheim, Ondrej Kase. I thought they gave up way too much for him though, with a 2020 1st rounder and a prospect heading to the Ducks. David Backes was also shipped off in the trade, which was a plus for Boston, but still I'm not sure Kase is worth the 1st even with team control. They also swapped Danton Heinen for Nick Ritchie, another Anaheim deal. Ritchie fits "the Bruins way" with his hard-nosed style of play, while Heinen never seemed to be a good match, even if he put up some points. I like this move for Boston.
St. Louis Blues: C
Didn't need too much, and they didn't get too much. Veteran defenseman Marco Scandella comes to town after a short stay in Montreal, and the price is a 2020 2nd and a 2021 conditional 4th. The Blues have a championship caliber roster already, and will attempt back-to-back Cup wins.
Philadelphia Flyers: C -
The Fly-Guys are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now, so perhaps they didn't want to mess with a good thing, but they were very conservative this deadline. They bring in some experience and depth at center with both Nate Thompson from Montreal, and Derek Grant from Anaheim. Both can help on face-offs and play on the checking line if need be. They gave up next to nothing, but if the Flyers come up short again, fans might look back and wonder if Philly did enough at the deadline.
Tampa Bay Lightning: C -
The Lightning will be a Cup contender again in 2020, and this grade doesn't change that. This grade is more about their future, and what they gave up for two players that are not that special. Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow come over from New Jersey and San Jose, Coleman being the better of the two role players. The problem is that they gave up two 1st round picks and two prospects for the two players, which was WAY too much. They do get a 3rd back in the Goodrow deal, but Tampa really overpaid this deadline, and it could come back to bite them in the future.
Toronto Maple Leafs: D+
The Leafs moves have been confusing to say they least. They seem to be buying and selling, in an attempt to sure up some of their depth pieces. At backup goalie they add Jack Campbell from Los Angeles, and ship Hutchinson to Colorado for defenseman Calle Rosen. Along with Campbell came big-bodied grinder Kyle Clifford, who has Stanley Cup pedigree with the Kings during his career. They paid two 3rd's in the Kings deal, and Trevor Moore who didn't look great for Toronto this season. They then swap D-Man Ben Harpur for 4th liner Miikka Salomaki from Nashville. After other similar flip-flop deals with NYI and Florida, it felt like the Maple Leafs were just trading around in circles this deadline, and circles never lead to change.
Winnipeg Jets: D+
The Jets made similar moves to the Flyers, adding some depth for draft picks, but the players the brought in were even less impressive, and somehow they ended up giving up more. Cody Eakin (the center who found a home in Vegas) only cost them a conditional 4th, but defenseman Dylan DeMelo cost them a 2020 3rd. Both of these guys are having sub-par years, and these moves really don't move the needle for a team currently on the outside looking in.
Arizona Coyotes: D
To be fair, the Yotes added a former MVP in Taylor Hall earlier this season, but this is a February/deadline article specifically and his contribution has yet to secure a playoff spot in a weak Pacific Division. Arizona either decided Hall would have to be enough for the 2020 campaign, or they had nothing left to give after the blockbuster deal, because all they brought in this February was borderline NHL call-up Markus Hannikainen (from Columbus). To make things worse, their competition in the Pacific was not so idle.
Nashville Predators: D -
The Preds may not have considered themselves buyers during a miserable season in which they had high expectations going in, but if they weren't buying then they should have been selling. They really did neither, swapping a couple low level players, and if they end up missing the playoffs this year or make it and but become an easy first round knockout, I really think this deadline will go down as a key error for this veteran-heavy roster that is filled with aging contracts.
Columbus Blue Jackets: D -
Another team that seemed caught in between buying and standing pat. The Jackets have largely over-performed this season as they find themselves in the thick of a crowded Eastern wildcard race, exceeding expectations after losing both Bobrovsky and Panarin in the off-season. I guess they didn't feel it was worth it to pad their roster for a 2020 run, as they are playing with house money at this point anyway. Still, they swapped Sonny Milano for veteran Devin Shore, and sent Markus Hannikainen packing for a conditional 7th rounder.
Florida Panthers: F
The Panthers acted like sellers at the deadline... despite being in an almost dead-even battle with Toronto for a playoff spot, despite spending HUGE money on Sergei Bobrovsky over the off-season, and despite having holes on defense that needed filling before the playoffs (which they will be competing for). After all this, they really only sold on Vincent Trocheck to rid themselves of his future contract, and bring in some role player depth with his value.
All the SELLERS grades to come... stay tuned!
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