By: Jesse Rosales
This is perhaps the second most exciting time of the year to be an NHL fan. We have All-Star weekend quickly approaching, the NHL trade deadline shortly after that, and then it’s playoff time! Time flies when you are having fun! There is always a lot to keep track of between this time of the season and early March. We will break down the big trades as they happen and we will keep our ears open to the rumors that are in full swing regarding some of the most prominent players and teams in the NHL.
When is the NHL Trade Deadline?
The NHL Trade Deadline for the 2022-2023 season is March 3rd at 3 pm EST. We expect to see teams who are considered to be legitimate contenders, making their final push to sure up their rosters before the start of the playoffs by going after some fairly big names. On the flip side, there are some teams who are competing in different ways. Competing for the rights to draft Connor Bedard. This creates the potential for some really big shake-ups that could impact both the Stanley Cup Playoff race but also the future years of many teams good or bad fortune. Here are some of the biggest trades so far as we know them today.
1. Bo Horvat (Canucks) – Traded to the New York Islanders. Who won the trade?
2. Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues) – Traded to the New York Rangers
The St. Louis Blues have traded Ukrainian-born star forward Vladimir Taraseno to the New York Rangers. In Exchange, the Blues received a conditional 2023 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick, Sammy Blais, and prospect Hunter Skinner. The Rangers also received Niko Mikkola. The Rangers were once regarded as the main threat to come out of the East. That all changed very quickly with how Boston came out of the gates to start the season. The Rangers needed to make a splash by the NHL Trade Deadline to bolster their roster to be able to compete with the Bruins come playoffs.
Honestly, I do believe that Tarasenko adds a lot to this Rangers team. Tarasenko is a Stanley Cup Champion who knows what it takes to get the job done. The New York Rangers didn’t really have to give up a lot to get him either which is nice. This team has a pretty young core, so you would hate to mortgage too many of your future assets to make a move like this. Since the East will likely go through Boston, this move makes a ton of sense for the Rangers and I think they executed it to perfection.
NHL Trade Deadline Rumors
Many believed that Horvat was going to be the biggest catch of the NHL Trade Deadline period. However, there are still PLENTY of intriguing trade storylines to follow as we move closer to the March 3rd NHL Trade Deadline. Here are some of the biggest ones I am following.
St. Louis Blues – Ryan O-Reilly
The Blues are not making the playoffs this year. It just isn’t happening. They have some pieces to grow moving forward but they need more young talent. O’Reilly and Tarasenko brought the Blues their first Stanely Cup. They will always be a big part of the Blues’ legacy, but it’s time to move on. Both of these guys still have plenty in the tank, and would absolutely be able to put a current contender over the top. Would love to see him end up back with the Colorado Avalanche.
Vancouver Canucks – Thatcher Demko, Brock Boeser, Andrei Kuzmenko
The Cancucks are selling everything… including the kitchen sink. If you’re gonna tank for Bedard and be as bad as you can be, then at least be good at being bad. Right?
Chicago Blackhawks – Max Domi, Patrick Kane, Johnathan Toews
Any of these 3 players would make any team better instantly. The experience, the talent, and the leadership qualities are all things that coaches and GMs can’t get enough of. You maybe can’t get these guys for as good of a price as some of the other players we’re watching as we near the NHL Trade Deadline, but who wouldn’t want a future Hall of Famer on their team as the quest for the Cup begins?
San Jose Sharks – Timo Meier, Erik Karlsson, Nick Bonino
Timo Meier to me becomes the new top target at the NHL Trade Deadline now that Bo Horvat is off the open market. Erik Karlsson is having the best offensive season of his amazing career and would be a great addition to that team who needs a solid offensive-minded defenseman to specialize in Power Play rotations. Sharks are obviously looking to build toward the future as well. They are also very strong Connor Bedard suitors.
Arizona Coyotes – Jakob Chychryn
Although many have legit concerns over Chychryn’s ability to stay healthy throughout his career, everyone knows he can be THE piece that can push a team from being a playoff team to a Cup contender. He does have favorable term left on his contract and has been rumored to be going to the LA Kings. That deal has yet to be finalized and at some point the question because why and does a different team swoop in and get the deal done before the Kings figure out how to make it work.
Columbus Blue Jackets – Valdislav Gavrikov
Gavrikov’s cap hit is very intriguing to a lot of teams and he is probably the most solid true defenseman still available. He has been linked to teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins. Both teams are looking to solidify their back-end pairings before the playoffs and would benefit greatly from a player like Gavrikov.
Detroit Red Wings – Dylan Larkin
I’m telling you all, there is something going on in Detroit. By all counts, Dylan Larkin IS Detroit and IS a Red Wing lifer. I believe it too, I mean the way he plays the game, the grit he has, and the leadership qualities he has, it all makes so much sense for the Wings to keep him. So then WHY is no long-term contract in place by now?
Larkin is an unrestricted free agent after next season and could walk away from the Wings with NOTHING in return but a goodbye breakup letter. Team GM and Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman isn’t going to let that happen. It’s either; sign Larkin by the NHL Trade Deadline of March 3rd to a long-term deal, or trade him now. Keep an eye on this one.
For more NHL news and updates, be sure to follow me on Twitter @5280Jesse and TEAM NBS Media
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