Down the Frozen River

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  • TRADE: Chicago sends Wingels to Boston

    Boston Bruins general manager, Don Sweeney, apparently wasn’t done after acquiring Nick Holden earlier in February and Rick Nash on Sunday. The Bruins GM was on the hunt for even more depth and that’s just what he got.

    The Chicago Blackhawks traded F Tommy Wingels to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a conditional 5th round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The draft pick involved becomes a 4th round selection if Boston advances past the First Round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs or if the Bruins re-sign Wingels.

    Unknown-7Wingels, 29, has seven goals and five assists in 57 games this season for Chicago.

    The 6-foot, 200-pound, Evanston, Illinois native was signed by the Blackhawks as a free agent on July 1, 2017 after splitting last season with the San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators.

    He spent his first six NHL season with the Sharks and notched career highs in all offensive categories in 2013-14 with 16 goals, 22 assists and 38 points in 77 games.

    In 430 career NHL games with the Blackhawks, Senators and Sharks, Wingels has amassed 60 goals and 78 assists (138 points). He has two goals and six assists (eight points) in 54 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

    He was originally drafted by the Sharks in the 6th round (177th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and returns to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as part of this trade since his AHL playing days as a member of the Worcester Sharks from 2010-12.

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    As a result of the trade, Chicago now has nine picks in the 2019 Draft, including two selections in the 5th round and two selections in the 7th round.

  • TRADE: Columbus and Arizona complete another minor swap

    Some guy named “Future Considerations” is going to be spending time in Ohio for however long his contract is.

    The Columbus Blue Jackets sent F Carter Camper to the Arizona Coyotes for future considerations on Monday.

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    Camper, 29, has 13-29–42 totals in 53 American Hockey League games this season with the Cleveland Monsters. He has one career NHL goal in three career NHL games with the Boston Bruins in 2011-12.

    The 5’9″, 176-pound signed as an undrafted free agent with the Boston Bruins after completing four-years at Miami University in Ohio. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Camper was an AHL All-Star in 2012 and has 84 goals and 227 assists (311 points) in 428 career AHL games with the Monsters, Tucson Roadrunners, Albany Devils, Hershey Bears, Binghamton Senators, Springfield Falcons and Providence Bruins.

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    As a result of this trade, Columbus leads in future considerations at the 2018 NHL trade deadline.

  • TRADE: Montreal goes Wild about Mike Reilly

    As all the hype surrounding other big name defensemen came and went, the Montreal Canadiens were quietly at work retooling their backend.

    The Habs acquired D Mike Reilly from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 5th round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (originally from the Washington Capitals) as part of Monday’s NHL Trade Deadline festivities.

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    Reilly, 24, has two goals and eight assists (ten points) in 38 games this season for the Wild. Since breaking into the NHL in the 2015-16 season, Reilly has amassed 4-14–18 totals in 84 career games played.

    The 6’2″, 195-pound, Chicago, Illinois native has yet to appear in any postseason action. He was originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 4th round (98th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

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    As a result of the trade Minnesota now has seven picks in the 2019 Draft including two in the 5th round. The Wild have eight picks in the upcoming 2018 Draft this June in Dallas– including three selections in the 3rd round and two in the 5th.

  • TRADE: Maroon-ed in New Jersey

    After leaving many to wonder if Edmonton general manager, Peter Chiarelli, would do anything all day, it seems he did, in fact, make an okay trade.

    The Oilers sent F Patrick Maroon to the New Jersey Devils for F J.D. Dudek and a 2019 3rd round pick at Monday’s trade deadline. As a result of the trade, the Edmonton Oilers now have three picks in next year’s 3rd round.

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    Maroon, 29, has 14 goals and 16 assists (30 points) this season in 57 games with Edmonton. He’s coming off a career year with 27-15–42 totals in 81 games last season in his first-full season with the Oilers.

    The 6’3″, 225-pound forward is a native of St. Louis Missouri and has 75 goals and 90 assists (165 points) in 358 career NHL games with the Oilers and Anaheim Ducks since making his NHL debut in the 2011-12 season.

    Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 6th round (161st overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Maroon has 12-14–26 totals in 42 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

    He is a pending-UFA this July.

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    Dudek, 22, has yet to appear in an NHL game. He has six goals and 11 assists (17 points) in 33 games for Boston College this season– his third season of Hockey East, NCAA competition.

    A native of Derry, New Hampshire, the 5’11”, 185-pound center was originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 6th round (152nd overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

  • TRADE: Montreal ships Morrow to Winnipeg

    After adding some offense earlier in the day on Monday, the Winnipeg Jets added some depth to their blue line.

    Defenseman, Joseph Morrow, was traded by the Montreal Canadiens to Winnipeg in exchange for a 4th round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

    jetslogoMorrow, 25, has five goals and six assists (11 points) in 38 games for the Habs this season. In the midst of a career year, Morrow’s role as a blue liner has wavered since his days as a hopeful prospect.

    In 103 career NHL games between the Canadiens and Boston Bruins, he has 7-13–20 totals.

    The 6’0″, 190-pound defenseman signed with Montreal as a free agent in July after spending 2013-17 with the Bruins organization. Before that he was acquired by Boston in the now infamous Tyler Seguin trade with the Dallas Stars on July 4, 2013.

    The Edmonton, Alberta native was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

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    Montreal now has ten picks in the 2018 Draft including four in the 2nd round and three in the 5th round.

  • TRADE: Ottawa deals Nick Shore to the Flames

    After being acquired by the Ottawa Senators in the Dion Phaneuf–Marian Gaborik trade earlier in February, F Nick Shore is on the move again.

    This time the Senators sent Shore to the Calgary Flames for a 2019 7th round pick at Monday’s NHL trade deadline.

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    Shore, 25, broke into the league in 2014-15 with Los Angeles after being drafted in the 3rd round (82nd overall) by the Kings in 2011. Shore has four goals and 12 assists (16 points in 55 games with Ottawa and Los Angeles this season.

    In 227 career NHL games, he has 14-36–50 totals with the Kings and Senators and has a career plus/minus of minus-16. The Denver, Colorado native is currently making $925,000 and is a pending restricted free agent at season’s end.

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    Ottawa now has eight picks in the 2019 NHL Draft– including two in the 7th round– as a result of this trade.

  • TRADE: Lightning bolster a Cup run in blockbuster deal with the Rangers

    The Tampa Bay Lightning made the biggest splash– excuse me, loudest thunder– at Monday’s trade deadline.

    The Bolts acquired D Ryan McDonagh and F J.T. Miller from the New York Rangers in exchange for F Vladislav Namestnikov, F Brett Howden, D Libor Hajek, a 2018 1st round pick and a conditional 2nd round pick in 2019.

    If Tampa wins the Cup this season or next season, the 2019 2nd round pick becomes a 1st round pick in 2019.

    Unknown-3McDonagh, 28, has two goals and 24 assists (26 points) in 49 games with New York this season.

    The now former Rangers captain has 51-187–238 totals in 516 career NHL games– all in a New York uniform.

    A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, the 6’1″, 215-pound defenseman broke into the NHL in the 2010-11 season after having previously been a key component in the Scott Gomez trade the Rangers made with the Montreal Canadiens.

    In 96 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, McDonagh has 10 goals and 31 assists (41 points). He was originally drafted by the Canadiens in the 1st round (12th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

    McDonagh’s contract runs through 2018-19 and carries a $4.700 million cap hit.

    Miller, 24, has 13 goals and 27 assists (40 points) in 63 games for the Rangers this season. A native of East Palestine, Ohio, the 6’1″, 218-pound winger has reached the 40-point plateau for consecutive seasons dating back to 2015-16. Last season, Miller put up career numbers in assists (34) and points (56) while tying his career high in goals (22).

    He has 72-100–172 totals in 341 career NHL games played with New York since breaking into the league in the 2012-13 season.

    In 40 career playoff games, Miller has one goal and 15 assists (16 points).

    Originally drafted by the Rangers in the 1st round (15th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Miller is a pending-RFA this July.

    downloadNamestnikov, 25, has 20-24–44 totals in 62 games for the Lightning this season. The 5’11”, 180-pound native of Zhukovskiy, Russia is in the midst of the best season in his career and has 53 goals and 70 assists (123 points) in 263 career games with Tampa.

    He has one goal and three assists (four points) in 29 career postseason games.

    Originally drafted by Tampa in the 1st round (27th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Namestnikov is a pending-RFA at season’s end.

    Howden, 19, has yet to appear in an NHL game and was drafted in the 1st round (27th overall) by the Lightning in the 2016 Draft. In 38 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), Howden has 22 goals and 36 assists (58 points) this season.

    The 6’2″, 193-pound center is a native of Calgary, Alberta.

    Hajek, 20, has split his time between the Regina Pats and Saskatoon Blades this season in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He has 11-24–35 totals in 52 games between the Pats and the Blades.

    A native of Smrcek, Czech Republic, the 6’2″, 188-pound defenseman was originally drafted in the 2nd round (37th overall) by the Lightning in 2016.

  • TRADE: Tatar for now! Vegas acquires forward from Detroit

    The house always wins and Vegas is going all-in.

    On Monday, the Vegas Golden Knights traded a 2018 1st round pick, a 2019 2nd round pick and a 2021 3rd round pick to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for F Tomas Tatar.

    vegas_golden_knights_logoTatar, 27, has 16 goals and 12 assists (28 points) in 62 games played. The 5’10”, 185-pound native of Ilava, Slovakia has 115-107–222 totals in 407 career NHL games with Detroit.

    He has reached the 40-point plateau three times in his career from 2014-17, amassing his best career season in goals (29), assists (27) and points (56) in 2014-15.

    He is under contract with a $5.300 million cap hit through the 2020-21 season. Tatar was originally drafted by the Red Wings in the 2nd round (60th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and has 3-4–7 totals in 17 career postseason games.

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    The Red Wings, meanwhile, have stockpiled draft picks in light of their rebuild and now have ten picks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft including two in the 1st round. Detroit was not able to move defenseman Mike Green by Monday’s deadline.

  • TRADE: Journeyman Jooris adds another sweater to his collection

    In pursuit of their third-consecutive Stanley Cup, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded F Greg McKegg to the Carolina Hurricanes in return for F Josh Jooris.

    Originally an undrafted free agent, the 27-year-old Burlington, Ontario native is in his fourth NHL season and has already played for just as many teams (CGY, NYR, ARI and CAR). In 204 career games, Jooris has posted 23-32-55 totals, or .27 points per game.

    He signed a one-year, $775 thousand contract with the Canes on the first day of free agency last summer and played 31 games to 3-3-6 totals before being placed on waivers earlier this month. Since then, he’s posted 0-3-3 totals in five games with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers.

    Jooris will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

    McKegg started the season as Pittsburgh’s third-line center, but – similar to Jooris – ended up on waivers by early December. McKegg has appeared in 91 games over the course of his five-year NHL career, posting 7-6-13 totals. This season, he’s enjoyed 26 showings with the Pens, earning only 2-2-4 marks.

    McKegg signed with the Penguins this offseason on a one-year, $650 thousand contract. He will be a restricted free agent this summer.

  • TRADE: Vanek panic hits Columbus

    F Thomas Vanek is packing his bags once again this trade deadline, as he was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for F Tyler Motte and F Jussi Jokinen.

    Once a first-round selection by Buffalo, 34-year-old Vanek is slated to wear the eighth new sweater of his NHL career and fifth different crest since the 2015-’16 season (MIN, DET, FLA, VAN and CBJ).

    The Vienna, Austria native has enjoyed much success over his 14-year NHL career, posting 350-388-738 totals in 946 career regular season games (.78 points per game), but the one thing that has eluded him has been the Stanley Cup.

    With that in mind, he’s bringing his 17-24-41 totals to the Jackets to help them improve on their current position as the Eastern Conference’s second wild card. His impact will surely be felt immediately considering Columbus’ anemic 2.53 goals per game this season – the third-worst effort in the NHL.

    Vanek is earning $2 million this season on a one-year deal. He’ll be a UFA this offseason barring an extension signed with Columbus. Should he impress, that is entirely possible considering the Jackets’ projected $17.7 million in cap space.

    In return for Vanek, Vancouver is receiving Jokinen and Motte.

    Jokinen was included in the deal mostly to alleviate Vanek’s $2 million cap hit, as the Finn is earning $1.1 million for this one-year deal. The 34-year-old has posted only 1-6-7 totals this season between three different clubs, as he has already been traded and claimed off waivers this season.

    Instead, the Canucks must be more interested in Motte, a native of St. Clair, Mich. – a town northeast of Detroit right on the American-Canadian border. Originally drafted by Chicago in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Motte is a natural center that will turn 23-years-old this March.

    Motte has spent little time in the NHL – only 64 games in the past two seasons, to be exact – but he has shown promise in limited time, posting 7-5-12 totals. This season, he played 31 games with the Jackets, earning 3-2-5 marks.

    In 17 games with the Jackets’ AHL affiliate in Cleveland this season, Motte has posted 9-2-11 marks. His goalscoring in the minor leagues indicates to me that his development is currently somewhere between the NHL and AHL level, but if he can continue to improve he could mesh well with Brock Besser and Bo Horvat with the Canucks.

    Making $925 thousand per year, Motte is under contract through next season, after which he’ll be a restricted free agent.