Off-Season Trade Review:
Part 1
Off-Season Trade Review: Part 1
Best Rebuilding Trade:
Evgeni Malkin & Tyler Myers to NYI
Alex Galchenyuk, Max Domi, Dylan Strome, Travis Dermott, 2017 NYI 2, and 2017 CAR 3 to WPG
For NYI: I don’t love this trade for Rich. In fact, to be fair I think this is a distinct overpay for Malkin. Don’t get me wrong, Malkin is a top 5 player, but his contract limits his value in my opinion and the fact was, I doubt anywhere was close to offering this for Malkin. Classic case of bidding against yourself. HOWEVER, and this is a big however, if Rich comes out of the East this season, it could all be worth it. With a core of Malkin, Marchand, Panarin, and Hedman, the Isles don’t lack the top end talent to compete Kirk’s Senators.
For WPG: To say this was a win for the doctor is an understatement. While Malkin is a fantastic player, Jordan’s ask to move the Russian stud was far more than most were willing to pay, and there was a legit wonder, whether he would ever move the guy or let him toil in Winnipeg. However, Dr. Hansford made most (including myself) eat their words with an elite return for Malkin. A top 6 young player in Galchenyuk, a young, borderline top 6 forward in Domi, an elite prospect in Strome, and a good defensive prospect in Dermott ALONG with 2 top 90 picks in a pretty damn good draft this year. While Domi, Strome, Dermott, and the picks aren’t “known” commodities yet, they are all valuable pieces in a rebuild, which it appears Jordan is currently in? (maybe?) At the end of the day, I would make this deal 10/10 for Jordan. This is a legit franchise changer. Great job by the doctor.
Biggest Overpayment: (Breaking this down from 2 deals to 1)
Chris Bigras, Anthony Beaullivier, Patrik Laine, and 2018 CAR 1 to LAK
Auston Matthews, Pekka Rinne, Brady Skjei, and Trevor Moore to WAS
Connor McDavid, Zach Sanford, and Alex Petrovic to COL
For LAK: I don’t know if I would call this a “no-brainer,” for Rumpy, but it’s an absolute W for him either way. I know the draw of a center like Matthews is attractive, but adding Bigras, Beaullivier, and the Carolina 1st in 2018 is a nice package to move down 1 spot and take Patrik Laine. Am I a Bigras guy? No not really, but a top 50 prospect and a 2018 1st to switch from one franchise player to another is…..well, okay I guess we did get to no brainer after all. Rumpy will love Laine for the next 10 years….sorry 2, Kirk will find a way to get him. But either way, credit to Rumpy, although it wasn’t exactly a tough decision.
For WAS: Rumpy is a big winner in the deal. Joe is an even bigger winner in my opinion. Joe gets his franchise center swapped one name for another, while the rates will be verrrrryyyy similar, and in return gets to add a top 5 goalie in the league and what likely is a franchise D-Man in Skjei. There’s obviously guys I like better, but Skjei was fantastic last season in the NHL, and I don’t see a reason why he’d start slowing down now. Not to mention, but I have a sneaking suspicion that if Bryce had been patient, he could have gotten McDavid for just Rinne and Matthews, or even less. At the end of the day, Joe has got to be pleased with how the lotto went, and how his return was maximized. Oh, and how he doesn’t have to hear from Kirk everyday with his awful offers.
For COL: Well what to say here. Bryce traded a top 50 prospect, a top 5 goalie, a likely top 2 DMan in the next few years, a 2018 1st round pick, and whatever you think of Bigras and Trevor Moore, and of course that Patrik Laine guy, just to get Connor McDavid. Yes, Bryce is an Oilers fan. Yes if there is a GM who can rebound from this, its him, however, this is still WAYYYYY to much for a switch from Laine to McDavid. At the end of the day, will this kill Bryce? No. At the end of the day, is he a happy Oilers fan? Yes. Is he a dumbass for doing this no matter what? You betcha. But hey, when in Colorado, right?
The Fairest Trade that Makes the Least Sense:
Anthony Mantha to PIT
Connor Hobbs, Illya Sorokin, and $1.5 mil in cash to PHI
For PHI: So let me elaborate first, I HATE this trade. Hate it. And I hate it especially for Anthony. Its not that its not fair in terms of value. Its fair for sure. In fact value wise, Anthony may have even won a tick (if Sorokin decides not to be Russian forever), but let me break it down. First, Anthony traded the 11th overall pick in this years draft for Mantha, Roy Radke, and the 2018 OTT 6th. If you told me, that I was going to trade the 11th pick for Radke, Sorokin, Hobbs, and a 6th I would tell you, that’s bad business. That’s exactly what this is, bad business. Now despite the fact that I think Anthony loses the overall deal, lets take a look into what I really dislike about this for him. Anthony’s Flyers have no solid NHL talent. None. In fact I would argue his best NHL players are Xavier Ouellet or Keith Kinkaid. That means you’re really, really bad. Now for tanking teams, that’s great, and that’s exactly what Anthony is. The problem here is that Anthony is not Bryce. He’s not Kevin. He’s not Jesse. He doesn’t pay attention to the draft or the prospects. Now this is NOT a knock on Anthony. A lot of guys don’t, and then guys like me are just purely guessing. But finally, Anthony had traded for NHL talent. After a mountain of picks and prospects, sometimes just getting some young NHL talent that you KNOW will be solid is clutch. The only thing you have to worry about is how good that player will be. Problem here is Anthony traded his only sort of known commodity for another prospect and a goalie prospect, who while highly touted, has never committed to coming over. At some point you have to stop taking risk after risk after risk like you do with draft picks, and settle for a bit of safety. Anthony has none of that in this deal, and while it will likely work out for him that doesn’t make it the right call. This could all blow up on Anthony in a few years and that will not be pretty.
For PIT: In reality, I guess I don’t dislike this deal for Billy after all. Only because of his draft day move to acquire Christian Fischer, but still the deal works well for him. He gets a NHL ready talent to join his mix of young and older core and someone who can play a top 6 role, cheaply in the next year or two. I don’t love that Billy continues to empty his minor leagues and prospects, but as long as he makes smart moves he’ll be okay. This in my opinion, is a W for Billy.
The Best Trade of the Offseason:
Jaden Schwartz, Matt Dumba, and Marko Dano to TB
Patrick Kane (25% retained for 3 years), Ron Hainsey, Jason Garrisson to DAL
For TB: Some may view this as a little light but I think this is a decent haul for the expensive Kane. In fact, looking back I think I got less for Kane when he was younger and much cheaper. Eric did well not to retain 50% in any season and got a very good top 6 forward in Schwartz, and potential nice top 4 D in Dumba, and a wild card in Dano who may very well get a fresh start in Vegas or somewhere else in the NHL on Wednesday. In a “re-tool” mode, this is a damn decent deal for Tampa. They dump Garrison, and get some quality pieces in return. The Bolts need a few more re-tool moves in my opinion, but Eric has done a good job with his team.
For DAL: Its pretty obvious why Junya pulled the trigger here for his Dallas team. His team dominated the regular season but struggled to score in the playoffs vs the better defensive teams like Nashville. Meanwhile, the bitchy Asaian has a good amount of young D depth and the loss of Dumba won’t hurt too much. Replacing Schwartz with Kane is a massive upgrade, while Dano was not a necessity. With some more youth, Dallas isn’t completely cleaned out, but needs to make sure they stop dealing all their youth soon. However, adding Kane is a massive boost to this team, and will be a dangerous line partner with Schiefele or O’Reilly. This trade was great for both sides.
The Worst Trade of the Offseason:
Lucic (1/3 retained) to LAK
2017 VAN 2 & 2018 LAK 5 TO WPG
For LAK: I don’t get this trade for you Rumpy. I get it you like Lucic. I got it. This. This sucks. A two and five for Lucic? This sucks. I mean I hope you were coked out of your mind and drunk as passed out Kirk. This sucks dude. Get your shit together!
For WPG: Jordan, going in raw is just mean. I hope you at least let Rumpy keep his manhood. But seriously, impressed with how well Jordan has done this offseason. This was a great deal for his continued rebuild, and while the Doc has a few guys left to move, everything he’s done in terms of offseason trades has been gold.
