Slapshots - The NHL Roundup: 2017 Trade Deadline Recap

Written by Zeke Perez Jr.

(Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports)

Whether or not they were spurred by the looming Expansion Draft, teams engaged in a flurry of activity approaching the March 1st trade deadline. In the weeks leading up to and including deadline day, nearly 40 trades were executed. A few Cup contenders bulked up and added strong pieces for the playoff push, while “seller” teams and teams looking to unload expiring contracts dumped some of their talent. Here are the trades that mattered most, as well as some trades that didn’t happen.
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Cup Hunting? Buyers

• The Washington Capitals emerged on March 2nd dedicated to hoisting their first Stanley Cup. The already odds-on favorites to win it all added prized defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to their blue-line corps. While Washington’s defense was already elite, Shattenkirk should add some firepower and scoring that will help with the Caps’ playoff push.
• Currently in second place in the Metropolitan Division behind the Capitals, the Columbus Blue Jackets geared up for the Eastern Conference’s excruciating playoff gauntlet.  The team added depth and experience by acquiring Kyle Quincey (D) and Lauri Korpikoski (LW). Columbus did not add a backup goalie, so they will rely on the hot hand of Sergei Bobrovsky down the stretch.
• The defending champs are looking to repeat. The Pittsburgh Penguins have lost some defensemen to injuries, so they traded for blue-line help in the form of veterans Ron Hainsey and Mark Streit.
• In the West, the Minnesota Wild are all-in. The Wild paid a high price – 2017 1st round pick, 2018 2nd round pick, and a 2019 conditional pick/either 2nd or 3rd round – to acquire Martin Hanzal (C). Minnesota is now stacked at center, with Mikko Koivu on the first line, Eric Staal on the second, and Hanzal likely to play on the third.

 
Better Luck Next Year? Sellers

• In past months of Slapshots, I’ve been tracking the potential demise of the Detroit Red Wings’ 25-year playoff streak. The Wings have lost ground in the standings, and are now last in their division and the Eastern Conference. With their trades on deadline day, it looks like the Wings are throwing in the towel on making the playoffs. Detroit traded away Tomas Jurco (RW), Brendan Smith (D), Steve Ott (C), and Thomas Vanek (LW) in exchange for a slew of picks, mostly third-rounders. All four were set to be unrestricted free agents, so Detroit got some return on a lost season.
• At the bye week, Dallas Stars higher-ups were deciding whether to be buyers or sellers based on where the team was at. They ultimately decided on the latter. The Stars dealt Patrick Eaves (RW), Jordie Benn (D), Johnny Oduya (D), and Lauri Korpikoski (LW) to playoff contending teams.
• The Carolina Hurricanes, last in their division, were active at the deadline and unloaded talent. The ‘Canes gave up Keegan Lowe (D), Ron Hainsey (D), and Viktor Stalberg (LW), 

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As Expected

• In a move that was one of the most likely to happen, legendary veteran Jarome Iginla was moved by the Colorado Avalanche to allow him to make a run at the Stanley Cup in the twilight of his career. More surprisingly, however, he ended up with the Los Angeles Kings, a team still not secure in its playoff destiny. The Kings are one point behind St. Louis for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference and they will have to make a push to give Iggy his shot.
• The Tampa Bay Lightning sent soon-to-be unrestricted free agent goalie Ben Bishop to the Kings.

• Also very expected, the St. Louis Blues moved soon-to-be free agent defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.

 
Surprise, Surprise

• Despite being at the center of trade rumors for essentially the whole season, the Colorado Avalanche remained fairly still at the deadline. The Avs did not trade any big pieces like Matt Duchene or Gabriel Landeskog as many expected. The Avs were asking a lot for both players and the asking price apparently wasn’t met. Colorado may not be done though…since Colorado has some serious rebuilding to do and may look to trade Dutchy or Landy during the summer, when teams are willing to give a little more in return.  

• The Buffalo Sabres were listening to offers, but could not find a new home for Dmitry Kulikov (D). Kulikov, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is having an injury-plagued and less than stellar year, and is unlikely to be resigned by Buffalo.  
• The Arizona Coyotes made some moves, but not ones that people thought they would. Radim Vrbata (RW) and Shane Doan (RW) stayed put in the desert. 

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