NHL Trades 2015: Analyzing Moves That Will Impact Postseason Race

The NHL trade deadline came with a flurry Monday with a number of league-shifting moves, as contenders bolstered their depth for the playoff run while teams out of the race turned their attention toward the future.

Some trades certainly moved the needle more than others, especially when they involved teams in the mix for a postseason spot or potential run toward the Stanley Cup.

Here is a look at three trades in particular that will have a direct impact on the postseason race.

James Wisniewski to the Anaheim Ducks

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The Anaheim Ducks are in first place in the Pacific Division, but they need more effective play on the defensive side if they hope to win the Stanley Cup. They may have gotten just what they needed Monday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded defender James Wisniewski and a third-round pick in the upcoming draft to Anaheim for Rene Bourque, William Karlsson and a second-round pick in the 2015 draft.

Anaheim is 20th in the league in goals against per game and will likely immediately plug Wisniewski into the rotation. He is the rare defender who is also a boost to the offense, and he has a career-best eight goals this season already. He also tallied 51 points last season for the Blue Jackets.

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Wisniewski played for the Ducks earlier in his career, and he commented on the switch, via NHL.com:

"

They [the Ducks] have a chance to win the Stanley Cup; not only this year but for years to come. I know some guys on that team. My wife is from California. I played there for a year and a half so I know the area. I know [general manager] Bob Murray. I'm familiar about being there. I'm just really excited to go to a team that's going to be contending to win the Stanley Cup.

"

Anaheim needed the help on defense so this move makes sense on its end, but Columbus was likely looking to go younger since it is no longer in playoff contention. Wisniewski is a 31-year-old veteran and someone who is ready to contribute now instead of in the future when the Blue Jackets hope to be perrenial contenders.

Antoine Vermette to the Chicago Blackhawks

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

The Chicago Blackhawks are battling for postseason position in the daunting Western Conference, but the loss of Patrick Kane is sure to linger all season. After all, he was arguably the best player in the league this season and is a stabilizing force in the Chicago attack.

It is not a surprise then that the Blackhawks made a move to bolster their depth given Kane’s absence, even if they had to give up a first-round draft pick for a potential rental player in the process.

Chicago acquired forward Antoine Vermette from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for defender Klas Dahlbeck and a first-round draft pick in the 2015 draft. Vermette can become an unrestricted free agent after the season, so the Blackhawks are looking to get immediate contributions in 2015.

He has 35 points on the season (13 goals and 22 assists) and gives the Blackhawks a better chance to score enough goals in the postseason run to last until Kane could potentially return deep in the playoffs. 

Tracey Myers of CSN Chicago noted that Vermette will also help in the faceoff circle, which is critical given how important possession is in the tight Western Conference race:

The Blackhawks paid a steep price for Vermette, but they needed to respond to Kane’s injury. That is exactly what they did.

Maxime Talbot to the Boston Bruins

LM Otero/Associated Press

The Boston Bruins are hanging by a thread to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but Monday’s acquisition of Maxime Talbot will certainly help them reach the postseason. Boston landed Talbot and Paul Carey from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Jordan Caron and a sixth-round pick in the 2016 draft.

Talbot made his biggest mark when he scored two goals in Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston is looking for some of that postseason magic this year.

Talbot may not be a dominant individual scorer with 15 points on the season, but he provides more depth for the forward group, as well as critical postseason experience. The Bruins are only 21st in the league in goals per game (2.6) and 24th in power play percentage (17.2) and need to improve on the offensive side if they are planning on making a strong push in the season’s stretch run. 

Talbot will ideally help the Bruins do just that.

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