NHL Players Who Benefited Most from Trade Deadline Deals
The NHL trade deadline featured a lot of movement, most of it looking minor at first blush. Beyond the big names going to attractive places—like Andrew Ladd to the Chicago Blackhawks—there were some moves that could benefit more obscure players.
Sometimes a player gets traded to a contender and boosts the performance of the team, but there are several candidates who are now on non-contenders and have a chance to lay groundwork for regular work in the fall.
Here are the NHL players who benefited most from the NHL trade deadline.
Anaheim Ducks Acquire LW Jamie McGinn from the Buffalo Sabres
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The Trade: The Buffalo Sabres traded Jamie McGinn to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional third-round selection. The conditions of the pick are long and involved—and are covered at TSN.
The Opportunity: The Ducks have been on fire since Christmas and were quiet during most of the deadline period. Late in the proceedings, they added a dandy secondary scorer in McGinn. He has labored in the NHL for over 400 games in eight seasons, and this is a fantastic chance at a Stanley Cup ring.
What Happens Next Season? Don't rule out McGinn signing with Anaheim in the summer. He is one of five forwards who are free agents—along with Shawn Horcoff, David Perron, Chris Stewart and Mike Santorelli. At 27, he is a young veteran with much of his career still to come.
Chicago Blackhawks Acquire LW Andrew Ladd
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The Trade: The Winnipeg Jets traded Andrew Ladd, Jay Harrison and Matt Fraser to the Chicago Blackhawks. In return, Winnipeg received Marko Dano, a first-round selection in the 2016 draft and a conditional pick in the 2018 draft.
The Opportunity: Ladd has Stanley Cup rings from 2006—with the Carolina Hurricanes—and 2010, when he was a big part of Chicago's championship. This is a chance to return to the scene of past glory and make more memories.
What Happens Next Season? Ladd is a free agent in the summer, one of the most prominent players available in the 2016 pool. Chicago finds ways to keep good players, so don't rule out a contract for Ladd before the free-agent window opens.
Edmonton Oilers Acquire LW Patrick Maroon from the Anaheim Ducks
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The Trade: The Anaheim Ducks dealt Patrick Maroon to the Edmonton Oilers for Martin Gernat and a 2016 fourth-round pick.
The Opportunity: Maroon is big—6'3'', 230 pounds—and plays a very physical game. The Oilers need big men who can play in complementary roles alongside all those No. 1-overall selections. This is a fantastic opportunity for Maroon, who could emerge as a legitimate option on a line with an impact center like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
What Happens Next Season? He has a $1.5 million cap hit for the next two seasons, and Edmonton could deploy him on any line based on performance. Maroon left a team with a chance to win a Stanley Cup, but the opportunity in Edmonton is enormous for the big winger.
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Florida Panthers Acquire LW Jiri Hudler from the Calgary Flames
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The Trade: The Calgary Flames trade winger Jiri Hudler to the Florida Panthers for 2016 second-round and 2018 fourth-round selections.
The Opportunity: Since leaving the Detroit Red Wings in 2012, Hudler saw the playoffs only once as a member of the Calgary Flames. He performed very well in previous playoff seasons, so the Panthers picked up a substantial offensive player for the postseason.
What Happens Next Season? The Panthers have some decisions to make in the summer and might target before Hudler free agency. Hudler is 32 and should have a few years of productivity left as an NHL player.
Los Angeles Kings Acquire W Kris Versteeg from the Carolina Hurricanes
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The Trade: The Carolina Hurricanes traded winger Kris Versteeg to the Los Angeles Kings for Valentin Zykov and a fifth-round pick in 2016.
The Opportunity: Verteeg has two Stanley Cup rings, both as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks—in 2010 and 2015. He has 42 points in 82 playoff games, and the Kings can plug-and-play Versteeg in multiple roles.
What Happens Next Season? All bets are off in Los Angeles for next year—Milan Lucic is the priority when it comes to signing free agents. This could be a brief but enjoyable spring for Versteeg in California, but he could be on his way elsewhere in the summer.
Pittsburgh Penguins Acquire D Justin Schultz from the Edmonton Oilers
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The Trade: The Edmonton Oilers traded defenseman Justin Schultz to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2016 third-round pick.
The Opportunity: Justin Schultz needed a change of venue after four difficult seasons with the Edmonton Oilers. The Penguins picked up a puck-moving defenseman at his lowest value—and could have a steal if they can unlock his considerable skill.
What Happens Next Season? The Penguins won't negotiate with Schultz on his current contract—he is at $3.9 million and due for a raise—but could work on a deal before or after free agency that brings him in at a more reasonable number. If not Pittsburgh, someone will sign Schultz and attempt to tap into what is perceived to be unfulfilled talent.
San Jose Sharks Acquire G James Reimer from the Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Trade: The Toronto Maples Leafs traded goalie James Reimer and forward Jeremy Morin to the San Jose Sharks. San Jose dealt goalie Alex Stalock, forward Ben Smith and a fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft to the Maple Leafs.
The Opportunity: Reimer was up-and-down as a starter with Toronto, and a change of scenery may allow him a chance to regain form and showcase his skills heading into free agency. Reimer's .918 save percentage is slightly better than that of Sharks starter Martin Jones.
What Happens Next Season? The Sharks might have interest in Reimer, and he may get a chance to show off his skills a few times down the stretch and into the playoffs. There is a chance San Jose signs him before the free-agency window opens.
Washington Capitals Acquire W Daniel Winnik from the Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Trade: Toronto Maple Leafs traded winger Daniel Winnik and a 2016 fifth-round pick to the Washington Capitals for Brooks Laich, Connor Carrick and a second-round pick in 2016.
The Opportunity: Winnik has played most of his career—over 600 NHL games—for teams that were not strong contenders for a championship. All that changes with his trade to the Capitals, a powerful team with a very good chance to win it all.
What Happens Next Season? Winnik has another year on his contract, so he will probably stick around for another run at the Stanley Cup in 2016-17. He is a quality veteran who can help in checking and penalty-killing roles.
Salary and cap information courtesy of NHL Numbers.
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