Recent trade reviews

To OTT
Matt Lashoff
Brian Strait
John Negrin

To PIT
Ryan Bystrom
OTT 3rd 2016

Ottawa’s side
Since Chris took the reigns of the Senators, he’s been looking for more depth. True that the Sens, although they’ve been a powerhouse since the 1st PTHL season, didn’t manage to rely on good depth in case of injuries in the past few seasons. This trade, just like their previous one – in which Yuran was traded to Chicago –, adds much-needed depth to their defense.

Pittsburgh’ side
After a few tough seasons, Pittsburgh seems to be back on the right track with their current lineup. Indeed, nobody would be surprised if they could sneak in the playoffs as soon as this year. Bystrom looks to address a problem they had, though, which was a lack of quarterback. Although Bystrom might not be the solution, this high skilled player could help carrying the puck from their zone to the other. After all, Strait, Negrin and Lashoff were maybe the kind of Dmen Pittsburgh had in high quantity, and became expendable.

Advantage
Considering Bystrom’s defensive skills aren’t well-balanced, I’d first give the edge to Ottawa. Bystrom has a solid 81 overall, but his performances since he joined the Pens were a bit low. On the other side, Ottawa brang some valuable dmen, assuring them a good core of dmen in case of injuries. But if take a closer look at this, Bystrom, at only 25, already has a 72 leadership, and is likely to become Pens’ captain for years to come. A good trade, at the end, in which both teams addressed weaknesses with decent assets.

To CHI
Brooks Orpik
Robbie Schremp
BUF 3rd 2017

To BUF
Sandy Sipione
Ilkka Takko
Jyri Turkula
Ben Wright
Justin Falk
NAS 1st 2015
CHI 1st 2015
NAS 2nd 2015

Chicago’s side
In the last edition of my trade reviews, I predicted a big trade coming for Chicago: this trade seems to prove me right. Frank pulled the trigger on a blockbuster, bringing 2 franchise players home. Orpik is the big deal: every team would want a dman like him. 99 hitting is just one thing you must look at, his presence immediately solidifies Chicago’s defense, and upgrade the team experience with much-needed leadership. Schremp already proved to be a top-tier offensive player, he also is pretty well-balanced, and should wear a Hawks jersey for a long time.

Buffalo’ side
For now, it looks like quantity for quality, but Tim could turn this trade into magic in the next draft. Buffalo was going nowhere with their lineup, and probably did the right thing with this trade. The players they got are far from being as good as Orpik and Schremp, but are definitely able to help them now. Getting 3 picks, including 2 firsts, though, was just a great idea for a team that enters a progressive rebuilding.

Advantage
It could look as Chicago lost patience and traded away a lot of good assets in 1 trade. But after all, they upgraded their lineup significantly, and only sacrified one draft. For sure, in 5 years, they’ll be the big losers of this trade, but Orpik is young enough to invest that much in him. Chicago had enough depth to do it anyways. As of Buffalo, they just win both sides in my opinion. True that they downgrade their current lineup, but they still managed to get good players to remain competitive. Plus, they assure themselves 2 solid NHLers with 2 1st picks, giving them exactly what they needed for 2 of their best players.

To CAR
Anthony Stewart
Cory Emmerton
STL 2nd 15

To STL
Geoff Maas
Christoph Gawlik

St-Louis’ side
I thought Stewart would retire in the Blues uniform. Personally, the type of player I’d never let go. The presence of Ladd and Gaborik, however, might have convinced Bryan that he could be available, to provide the team with better offense. So far, Maas and Gawlik seemed to be the best thing for this team, both registering points regularly. Gawlik also is assure some defense presence with his good positioning and checking.

Carolina’s side
If we had any doubt about it before this trade, this clarifies things out: the Canes lines up the best defensive team. Stewart, although he never won the Selke, is one of the best defensive forward of the league: he’ll find some good company in Lindqvist, Brind’Amour and Niedermayer. The Canes has probably enough offense to lose an unwell-balanced forward like Maas, and getting 2 depth assets in Emmerton and a 2nd looks smart.

Advantage
It will be interesting to see if these teams will face-off in the finals this season. Strangely, this trade put both teams closer to it, in my opinions. The Blues are clueless since bringing Maas and Gawlik, strong a long undefeated streak. On the other hand, Carolina solidifies what’s much-needed to win the big Cup: defense. PTHL history is just enough to prove that defense wins competitions. Smart move between two powerhouses.

To CGY
Derrick Martin
CBS 1st 2015
CBS 2nd 2015
CBS 3rd 2015

To CBS
Carlo Colaiacovo

Calgary’s side
I can hardly recall a Flames’ trade in which there were no dmen implied. Probably a painful trade for them, in which they let go Mr. Norris, winner of 2 Stanley Cups in the glory years of the Flames. Calgary will miss him big time, but probably acted wisely by trading him. Martin is a stud, and much younger. He doesn’t provide any offense, but adding the picks to him, Calgary looks good with this deal. We’ll see if this trade also prepares the departure of their other stud: Adam Hall.

Columbus’ side
Anyone wants to be in the Central division. Columbus find themselves in this nightmare division, and realized they would need a big move to help something happen. Their forwards have put them back in the playoffs last season, but they needed a quarterback like Colaiacovo. We’ll now see if they can do anything with the goalies they have.

Advantage
It’s hard to give a winner in this deal, as it looks to me that this is just the 1st step to another trade for both teams. If Calgary doesn’t enter in a progressive rebuilding, this trade comes out of nowhere in my opinion: they’ll need to address a long-term plan to put the team back on contenders track. Same thing for Columbus, they surely will give their division rivals a better challenge after this trade, but I can’t see them coming out winners of the West without a better goalie. Getting Colaiacovo is a big move, but we should expect another one coming out this season.

That’s it for this 2nd edition. Again, I only put my personal opinions in this article, and didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I hope you liked it: look forward for an eventual 3rd edition.

 

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