NHL trade deadline winners

Well, another NHL trade deadline has come and gone and the focus switches back to the remainder of the season. While most of the major trades took place in the days leading up to the deadline, there was plenty of action in the final few hours of the window as teams looked to squeeze through those last-minute deals.
Three teams in particular came out of the trade deadline as winners, and the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens will all be feeling pretty good with the business they have conducted before the end of the deadline.

Anaheim Ducks

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ccby Dougtone
The Anaheim Ducks have been sensational this season and they look even stronger than before the end of the trade deadline after acquiring James Wisniewski from Columbus. Meanwhile, they also have a third-round draft pick in exchange for Rene Bourque, William Karlsson and a second-round pick. Needing to strengthen their defensive ranks for the final few weeks of the season, the Ducks made sure they went out and signed one of the best in the business. Not only will Wisniewski add more options to Anaheim’s blue line, the 31-year-old also makes the franchise’s struggling power play unit. After a solid 11-season career in the NHL, Wisniewski now has a chance to challenge for a Stanley Cup.

Detroit Red Wings

Marek Zidlicky had been linked with a number of NHL sides during the trade window but it was the Detroit Red Wings who won the race to sign the defenseman from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for conditional draft picks. Detroit had been looking for a reasonably priced right-handed defenseman since the start of the season, with numerous reports linking the franchise with Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf. But rather than move for the Canadian, Detroit made the decision to bring in the Czech veteran before the deadline. As well as the offensive threat he provides a team, the 38-year-old also adds a huge amount of experience to a roster that will need it between now and the end of the regular season and on into the playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens

It is no surprise Jeff Petry was being chased by so many teams during this trade deadline and the Montreal Canadiens will have been delighted to have signed the 27-year-old in exchange for a second-round draft pick and conditional fifth-round pick. The Canadiens have been desperate for a big boy to sit in either the second or third defensive pairings and Petry certainly fills that requirement, although there are questions as to how well the former 45th overall draft pick will adapt moving from one of the worst teams in the league to one of the betting favourites for the Stanley Cup. Petry has scored four goals and 15 points from 59 games this season for an Oilers team currently bottom of the West. He has recorded four points from his final seven appearances for Edmonton while racking up 103 shots, 101 hits from an average of 20 minutes 57 seconds on the ice.


68 Responses to NHL trade deadline winners

  1. LN91 says:

    I feel like the max points the Leafs will reach is about 70..So, 5-7 in there last 12 games.

    What does everyone else think? The Leafs already lost 2 of the winnable games Nordiques mentioned…Losing to Edmonton will be nice.

    • doorman says:

      If they lose to Edm which is what we need then I think 5 and 7 is a stretch. That confidence needs to get shattered but if they win it an make it more realistic we finish with hopefully less wins then that.

    • leafy says:

      The problem is Edmonton sucks so bad. It would be a mini “miracle on ice” if the Leafs lose to the Oilers.

    • leafs_wallace93 says:

      I see Edmonton and Arizona as legit shots at 30th.

      Arizona put on a tank clinic at the deadline, hats off to a smart GM.

      Carolina and Columbus are ahead of the Leafs, both have .500+ capable rosters when healthy.

      Scary thing is a dark horse winning the lottery and bumping us a spot down.

      • doorman says:

        Agreed this is why we need to finish 4th so we draft no worse than 5th. I don’t care about 4th for the % points better shot at winning the lotto, I care for draft 4-5th as opposed to winning a few games and it becoming 6-8th.

        • LN91 says:

          I think the MAX they would select would be 7th, as NJD is too far ahead.

          However, the last time the Leafs won 7th they got Nazem Kadri.

          • doorman says:

            Yes big diference between 4th and 7th tho, imo. Speaking of Kadri, Long winded and agree with him or not there were somevalid points brought up in the segment

          • leafmeister says:

            7th would suck because they would have no shot at Strome, but they would still have Werenski, Provorov, and Barzal most likely who I wouldn’t exactly be too disappointed about picking up.

  2. LN91 says:

    Nice response by Kadri last night, just when you think he has a ‘wake up’ call, he shows you why he’s still has not figured it out.

    • doorman says:

      Absolutely agreed, bad play and no excuse for it. No accountability on how e plays or actions. However, in response to my comment to those made by Cherry, were directed at the Leafs organization as a whole. To how they have handled matters in the past and to an extent still do.

  3. TmLeafan says:

    With the cap likely being 71 mil for next season a lot of teams are going to be scrambling to shed some contracts. With the Clarkson deal we are one of the teams that should be looking to take advantage.

    Target some solid NHLers for below market value that we can then flip at the deadline in coming years for more picks. Also this way we don’t have to rush the kids and suck for the next 10 years like the Oilers.

    Players I would target:

    Chicago- Bryan Bickell. We desperately need size and they will be looking to shed his 4 mil salary with Toews/Kane extensions kicking in.

    Free Agency- Sekera, Franson, Santorelli, Winnik, Craig Smith, Johnny Oduya, Shawn Matthias, Adam Mcquaid, Joel Ward, Barrett Jackman.

    A lot of these guys will get overpaid by somebody, in that case we should not bother but most of the good teams are not in a position to be adding a lot of salary without trading someone.

    Other players we can target to bring on the payroll and demand a prospect/pick along with the contract: Alex Semin, Cam Ward, Michael Grabner

    With Phaneuf most likely being traded we need capable defenseman to be paired with Rielly and Gardiner.

    Point is it is time for the Leafs to get creative. This rebuild doesn`t need to take as long as a lot of people say as long as we make some smart moves and take advantage of other teams fitting under the cap.

    • doorman says:

      As long as the contracts they take on are not more then 3 years preferably, or it better be a hell of a haul coming with it. However you’re right this rebuild can be helped along by buying prospects and picks for sure. Question then becomes what is realistic to expect for relieving a team of a Bickel type contact or Semin’s 7Mil per?

      • TmLeafan says:

        Ya it would really depend on what contract.

        Bickell is only slightly overpaid and would fill a need for us (size) I imagine a deal where we swap prospects and mid round picks for example:

        Tor: Bickell, Chicago`s 3rd rd pick
        Chi: Tyler Biggs, Tor 4th rd pick

        Semin would probably have to be included in some sort of larger deal maybe involving Phaneuf or Robidas because I doubt they would offer us the picks and prospects required for us to take on the contract straight up.

        Agreed with the three years point though, thats important we can`t be handcuffed longterm.

        • doorman says:

          Ya a guy like Semin is interesting for sure, he would even a larger deal have to come with a 1st IMO that just too much money for any team outside of the Leafs to swallow.

          the Bickell deal isn’t horrible, but not sure they bite at that price. I don’t see MLSE approving spending cash without a premium return.

          • TmLeafan says:

            Ya we may have to give up more for Bickell, but not a whole lot. The Blackhawks will be in a situation where they will probably have to let him go along with Sharp and Seabrook so they are not going to get a lot.

  4. leafy says:

    If they’re gonna do 3-on-3 OT next year, they may as well do it for the full 5 minutes without any 4-on-4. I heard Bettman say that it might be 4-on-4 followed by 3-on-3, which makes no sense. Just do ALL of the OT 3-on-3. More exciting, and reduces shootouts.

  5. leafy says:

    Interesting eye-opening stat: Kessel, Bozak and JVR are 3rd, 4th and 7th last in the NHL in +/-.

    If the Leafs are looking at the main reason for their collapse after Dec 16, there it is.

    All 3 of these guys are atrocious defensively. OK to have 1 or 2 forwards on a entire TEAM who aren’t great defensively, but when 3 on the same line are bad, you’re in deep trouble!

    • nordiques100 says:

      JVR was never really considered a bad defensive player in his Philly days.

      He was dragged down by Kessel and Bozak. Bozak too was considered a two-way player but he too has picked up a lot of lazy Kessel habits.

      It is yet another reason why the Leafs should trade Kessel. And Phaneuf for that matter.

      Kessel has a lot of lazy habits. You see Kadri do it, you see Bozak do it, the whole team does it. They cheat, they shirk on their duties. It compounds itself.

      Phaneuf is the captain but really holds no one accountable for anything they do. He is a absent captain. Its really just a letter on his sweater and he has not used any captain traits to lead his team. The lazy, bad habits that have taken over the Leafs team is a result of the lack of leadership.

      I am pretty sure the league’s top captains, Toews, Chara, Dustin Brown will not take any bleep from their teammates and let them know if they’re playing poor. It also helps them that they have supportive teammates who can back them up. Seabrook for Toews, Bergeron for Chara, Carter, Richards and Kopitar for Brown.

      • leafy says:

        Truer words never spoken Nords.

        • LN91 says:

          I don’t think the issue is Kessel back checking, as he will never be a great player.

          The issue is…He’s playing like he doesn’t care anymore, same with Phaneuf, and that’s why Toronto has run into these slides. How can your 2 leaders be the most fragile players in the locker room? And there attitude affects the players morale as well.

          It’s a viscous cycle.

          • Gambo says:

            Honestly it seemed like Phaneuf was one of the only ones playing like he cared. As for Kessel, Bozak, JVR… No effort, no care.

            • nordiques100 says:

              Phaneuf is known for his blunders and getting beat outside. But i think what really created a lot of the hatred, besides the ranking of him being the most overrated player by his peers, was him not fighting Prust a few years back.

              There are times where you shouldn’t fight or don’t need to fight. That was a time he needed to drop the gloves and go after him.

              He has tried to battle of late, but its too little, way too late.

              • Gambo says:

                That year there were many times where maybe he should have fought, some say Carlyle told him not to because they needed him on the ice, but regardless he should have picked the right times to fight.

                However, that situation against Prust I’ll argue wasn’t one. If you remember, they were on the PK and they killed off about 30 seconds by keeping Prust in the offensive zone offside. Obviously it made Phaneuf look like a fool, but it killed time off a PK and kept their best PK dman out of the box.

                But yeah, last year and the year before he definitely didn’t show enough of that battle.

          • nordiques100 says:

            I think Kessel traits have been borrowed by many other Leafs since he came here. And they have been going on even before the team played bad.

            His talent is undeniable. But everything else is just bad for the team. His attitude, habits, work ethic. It doesnt work.

            Change is needed.

            • Gambo says:

              8 million for a 60 point, sub 30 goal scorer with a poor work ethic and zero leadership qualities is bad, really bad.

              If he puts similar numbers up again next year, and it’s not unrealistic considering the major tear down of the team, no one will want him. The time to move him is definitely this summer, hopefully the draft.

            • leafs_wallace93 says:

              It’s great for tanking though.

            • LN91 says:

              He needs to be on a team where guys will light a fire under his ass and rip him apart.

              He cannot be the best player or leader on a team, he needs to be a complimentary piece.

  6. doorman says:

    Ok, so while I think Kadri has failed to understand what it means to be a solid NHL player and seemingly never grows up, I must ask WTF is with this suspension length? I have zero problems that he got 4 games, but where is the consistency from the NHL? many hits that are just as bad or worse get fewer games or a fine. I get that he is a “repeat offender” but it isn’t like he is suspended on a regular basis. Ferrence retaliates with a blatant hit from behind, where is his fine or suspension? Until they get it right consistently the players will never learn.

    • LN91 says:

      Kadri was head hunting on that play, when he’s in a foul mood he has a tendency to do that.

      • doorman says:

        Like I said I have no issue with Kadri being suspended for a head shot, he should be. I have a problem with the lack of consistency when it comes to the punishment fitting the crime. OV head shot on Komorov, nothing, ferenc retaliates, nothing, players will never learn until it is all dealt with properly

        • leafy says:

          I agree completely. I don’t have a problem with the zero tolerance policy on head shots, but where’s the consistency? Ovechkin’s hit on Komarov looked mighty similar, yet no games.

          • nordiques100 says:

            OV a repeat offender too. But he is also a star player.

            Kadri, not so much. and who knows, Shanahan maybe told his good friend Quintal throw the book at him.

  7. Gambo says:

    Leafs are expected to sign Casey Bailey out of Penn State University. 6’3″ forward, 22 years old. 22 goals, 40 points in 37 games this year. Apparently he’s a pure scorer and will play games for whoever signs him this year. Good signing.

    Don Cherry will hate it, an american playing NCAA getting ice time over a CHL player.

    • Gambo says:

      Sorry, he’s 23 not 22.

      • LN91 says:

        Interesting, 6’3, 200 pound C…As we all know, Power Forwards take a bit longer to develop. You never know, maybe he will make it to the NHL like Bozak and DeKeyser did, or maybe he will end up like Christian Hanson or Matt Gilroy.

        At the end of the day, 0 risk and potential reward for the Leafs like any prospect.

        One thing I did like however, he has shown improvement through his career and 2, Boston was hot on his tails…Boston knows how to spot talent.

    • 93killer93 says:

      I’m hoping they can find a way to sign Matt O’Connor. Big goalie from Toronto. He’s been doing well with Boston U this year.

    • LN91 says:

      With Columbus going on a super run, it looks like the Leafs will pick no lower then 5th overall (Unless a team lower then the Leafs wins the draft lottery).

      However, ideally the standings ended as it did today:

      1) Buffalo
      2) Arizona
      3) Edmonton
      4) Toronto
      5) Carolina

      Only issue? We all know Strome is the right choice for the team going forward. However, with Hunter on the squad, I feel like he would push Marner.

      • leafy says:

        In the various rankings done by different people, nobody seems to agree who the 4th and 5th picks are. Seems like a total crapshoot.

        http://www.mynhldraft.com/2015-draft/prospect-rankings/

        • LN91 says:

          I think it is either Marner or Strome, both are 2 elite centers.

          However, Toronto needs size…So, the pick needs to be Strome. Marner will be a great player, but Toronto would start a rebuild with a bunch of tiny players. Edmonton is the only example of what happens when you rebuild the wrong players.

          And, I really do like Nylander’s game…So, we do not need another.

          However, I still do not trust Toronto’s management. They always shock, but not for the right way.

          • leafy says:

            Checking the stats, Marner and Strome are putting up some really impressive numbers. In fact, their stats are virtually identical. So all things being equal, you’d have to go with size.

      • leafs_wallace93 says:

        Hanifin = Strome >> Marner

  8. Gambo says:

    Strome with 4 goals and 6 points tonight without McDavid… We need that kid.

  9. LN91 says:

    Well, looks like Mark Hunter is partial to Mitch Marner…Which has got to be a concern, he really needs to put his personal feelings aside and know the Leafs need SIZE.

    • leafs_wallace93 says:

      If they ice Nylander, Kadri, Marner, I’m not watching.

    • LN91 says:

      If I had my choice, the Leafs would draft:

      4) Dylan Strome, 6’2 180 pound 1st-line center.

      25) Brandon Carlo, 6’5 200 pound, Right-handed D-Men shutdown D-Men.

      The Leafs would get a first-round center, and give Morgan Reilly his new BFFL.

      However, we all know how dysfunctional the Leafs.

      • leafy says:

        My concern is more how the rebuild will proceed AFTER this year. Are the Leafs willing to go through a full rebuild for the next 3+ years? That’s where they tend to be “dysfunctional”.

      • Gambo says:

        Exactly what I was thinking. Hoping Brandon Carlo falls to 25.

        Much rather take a big shutdown defenseman late in the first round than early on like Schenn, Gudbranson, Reinhart, etc.

    • TmLeafan says:

      I think Mark Hunter is a professional I doubt he is going to let the fact that he drafted Marner in the OHL influence the Leafs decision come draft time.

      I would rather Strome, having said that none of us are scouts and it will be a number of years before we know who turns out to be the better player. Can’t go wrong with either of them in my opinion.

      This is almost a Taylor Hall/Tyler Seguin debate, both have huge upside.

  10. Gambo says:

    I know it’s never a problem to have too much depth in one position, but the Leafs really have a lot of left handed Dmen.

    Phaneuf – Probably gone by next year

    Rielly – Probably leafs #1 next year

    Gardiner – Top 4 next year

    Brennan – Ready for the NHL, bottom pairing PP specialist

    Percy – Most likely ready for NHL next year

    Finn – I think is better than Percy, probably needs 1 more season in the AHL

    Loov – Fav blueline prospect, 6’2″ big hitter, 2way dman. Probably 1 more season in the AHL

    MacWilliam – Doesn’t seem ready yet, but has already played in the NHL. Maybe bottom pairing shutdown role next year.

    Valiev – Really good year in the WHL this year. 19 years old. A few years away, but again a left handed dman. Already NHL size at 6’2″ 207lbs

    Some others too, but not really worth mentioning. I know everyone says to draft BPA, but maybe after the 1st pick they should look at every other position before LHD

  11. doorman says:

    I have discussed this on HFBoards and one thing I would consider if I was Nonis is seeing if Philly is interested in the number 4 pick. I have had some agree and others not, but to me Barzal ( who was considered top5 before this years injury)+ what ever else we can pick up with their other first greater then Strome or Marner.

    • LN91 says:

      If the Leafs did that, I would quit being a fan. Period.

      You have a chance to draft a Big Top-Line centre, and then uou go for an unknown like Barzal?

      • leafy says:

        I’ve seen so many botched rebuilds in my lifetime, I’m not yet convinced that the Leafs will do this rebuild properly. I’ll have to see it to believe it.

        • leafmeister says:

          At least in my lifetime, they have never followed the proven formula for building a winner. (i.e the draft) Have they botched actual attempts at rebuilds? Or just the classic half-assed rebuild?

      • doorman says:

        Not to sound like a smarta$$ but have your researched or watched Barzal? He was considered a top 5 pick before a slow start and a cracked kneecap this season. He even missing 25 games or so was in on 50% of his teams goals. Plays both ends of the ice, has a high compete and hockey IQ, excellent vision and passing skills and is considered one of the better skaters in the draft. Strome I think will be good, but I am not convinced he is Getzlaf like for us. So to me Barzal + another early 20’s first round pick>Strome. I could turn out to be very wrong and if so will anmit it, but it isn’t like I am suggesting some guy who has played 50 good games.

        • Gambo says:

          Yeah Barzal is good, seen him a couple times. Almost like Matt Duchene. While saying that, no way i trade down from 4 to get him, Strome is better and a true #1. Maybe if we fall to 5 and Strome is gone, i’d consider moving dowm from Marner to get Barzal if we get a nice asset back.

          • doorman says:

            Different opinions are what make for great debates. I don’t see a big enough gap between the two that IF we got both of Philly’s 1st round picks I would make the swap. Having two picks in the 21-25 range plus other assets might allow another top 15 pick to be possible too.

            That being said I would prefer to try and entice to poor scoring teams like CLB & NJ to part with their 1st + for Kessel . Some may say he won’t go, but a non-media circus city might suddenly be very appealing.

        • leafs_wallace93 says:

          Stop making me crush on another prospect.

  12. doorman says:

    For all the concerns expressed about Hunter, I myself have none. He in his interview with Leafs lunch sung the praises of more then just Marner. He spoke highly of Strome, Hanifin and Barzal among others. I don’t think a personal bias will come into play at all.

    • leafs_wallace93 says:

      At the very least Hunter should give us a blueprint and an identity, I’m sick of hearing ‘another Anaheim like prospect’ ‘another Detroit prospect’ ‘another Bruins…’ ect… would be nice have our own. Hell even Montreal does a good job of stuffing their system with great blueliners, imagine they didn’t make the Gomez trades, would be scary good.

      • doorman says:

        Yes, our own identity as an organization would be nice. I think a direction and sense of hat they are trying to do will help fans stay patient during h rebuild.

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