Loading ...The NHL Draft has come and gone and aside from the new prospects, we have a few new players in different cities as a result of some trades.
Carolina acquires Jordan Staal from Pittsburgh for Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin & Carolina’s 1st rounder (Derrick Pouliot). Phoenix acquires Zybnek Michalek from Pittsburgh for Harrison Ruopp, Marc Cheverie & a 3rd round pick.
The big draft shocker was Ray Shero pulling the trigger sending Jordan Staal to the Hurricanes (on his wedding day). Joey touched on this a little bit the other day. Between dealing Staal and Michalek, the Penguins cleared about $6 million, giving them $14.67m for July 1st. This could put them in the Zach Parise sweepstakes, giving more money for Crosby and Malkin extensions, or both. They also picked up a solid #3 center in Sutter and a top defensive prospect in Pouliot, who they can give time to develop. Carolina got the #2 center they have been needing since Rod Brind’Amour retired. They’ll need to re-sign him by the end of the season, when he’ll be a UFA, but it may be easier with his brother Eric as team captain. Phoenix brought back Michalek for cheap, who was a Coyote until 2010 and didn’t really fit in with Pittsburgh.
Columbus acquires Sergei Bobrovsky from Philadelphia for a 2nd round and two 4th round picks
The Blue Jackets pick up a young goalie, who may or may not be their future, but it least gives them an option. Bobrovsky was solid for the Flyers in his rookie year of 2010-11 before tailing off late. He was stuck behind Ilya Bryzgalov in Philadelphia and the Flyers wanted to move his cap hit ($1.75m). The Flyers got three picks to begin to restock their farm system. In fact, with one of their acquired picks, they drafted a goalie, Anthony Stolarz.
Philadelphia acquires Luke Schenn from Toronto for James vanRiemsdyk
Paul Holmgren was not done after the Bobrovsky deal as he and Brian Burke exchanged players with high potential but neither have reached it. Burke has wanted JVR for a while now and the Flyers added a defenseman that they dearly needed (and a right handed shooting one at that). vanRiemsdyk has been troubled by injuries and Schenn has been hampered by inconsistency. Both guys are still young and could become the players they were drafted to be. If so, this could be a trade that both teams are happy with.
Flames trade their 1st rounder (#14) to Buffalo for the Sabres 1st (#21) and a 2nd (#42)
Only picks for picks trade I’ll discuss as first rounders have big impact on team’s futures. Don’t know what the Flames are doing in general as it seems like they want to retool for a playoff run this year and then draft a project (Canadian high schooler Mark Jankowski) who may have been available later in the round. Buffalo will like center Zemgus Girgensons after missing out on Radek Faksa at #12.
Capitals acquire Mike Ribiero from Dallas for Cody Eakin and a 2nd round pick
Washington will like Ribiero as a #2 center, and will also bring leadership to a team who needs it. Not sure where Dallas is going now, as they shed $5m in salary but it’s possible they are going for a rebuild. Although I expect them to be bigger players in free agency than last year when their ownership was unsettled.
Islanders acquire Lubomir Visnovsky from the Ducks for a 2nd round pick
Great pickup by the Isles, giving them a veteran presence on the blueline. He’s 35 and only has one year left on his deal, but he’s a season removed from an 18 goal, 68 point year. The Ducks seem to be going in a different direction, with the swirling Bobby Ryan trade rumors.
Tampa Bay acquires Benoit Pouliot from Boston for Michel Ouellet & a 5th round pick
Pouliot is a solid add for the Lightning in exchange for a guy who will be a free agent next week. Although successful on the Bruins third line, it seems like they want to give some of their youngsters, perhaps Jordan Caron a shot with the big club and deemed Pouliot expendable.
Toronto trades the rights to Jonas Gustavsson to Winnipeg for a conditional 7th round pick
Winnipeg may need a goalie with Ondrej Pavelec a RFA and possibly leaving for the KHL. The Jets backup, Chris Mason is 36 and a UFA. Toronto wasn’t planning on re-signing the Monster and got a late pick for his rights.