NHL Trade Grades for Vincent Trocheck, Nick Paul and the Other Deals Made on 1st Day of Free Agency

It may not have been a huge free-agency class, but there was plenty of action in the trade market.

Let's break down the biggest moves on July 1.

Marcus Pettersson to the Rangers From the Canucks

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This trade is sort of out of left field, but it is intuitive for the Rangers.

They desperately needed a second-pairing left-handed defenseman who could move the puck, and Pettersson is exactly that. Don't let the low-scoring numbers fool you: Pettersson is one of the NHL's better defensemen at retrieving pucks in the defensive zone and creating exits with possession.

This was the Rangers' worst problem the last couple of seasons. He directly fills the gap. He's also a strong defender, using his 6'4" reach to prevent zone entries and defend the slot. He's a great fit for Head Coach Mike Sullivan's systems: We know this because he played the best hockey of his career under his tutelage in Pittsburgh. Pettersson is 30 years old, which isn't ideal, but his $5.5 million cap hit over the next four seasons should age beautifully.

It's difficult to conceptualize the consequences of dealing a 2030 (potentially 2031!) first-round pick, but this makes a lot more sense than dealing for rentals or the impulse JT Miller purchase. The Rangers are a much more competitive team now than they were in the previous two seasons. If they can build off that and add a top center in the next few years, then chances are they won't sweat the 2030 pick. There is definitely some built-in risk down the line if it blows up in their faces and Fox and Shesterkin ask out, though.

For Vancouver, this trade tells us how committed they are to a rebuild. It's rare that picks get traded four years down the line. Then it will take the drafted player a few years to become NHL-ready. The Canucks traded for a 12 or 13-year-old here. Literally.

The market for defense is so dire that teams are paying ludicrous prices for third-pairing defensemen. Pettersson did have a full no-move clause this season, but it drops to a 15-team no-trade clause in two seasons. Management must have had intel that Pettersson preferred to leave the rebuilding Canucks. His departure should only further help the tanking cause for the 2027 Draft, which has three potential franchise-changing prospects at the top of the class.

Vancouver Canucks: A-

New York Rangers: B

Darnell Nurse Traded to San Jose by the Oilers

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The long-rumored Darnell Nurse departure from Edmonton is complete, and San Jose is indeed his landing spot, as many had speculated.

The Sharks are armed with cap space and have a big need on defense: their corps has been the worst in the NHL over the last few seasons. Nurse is an upgrade for the group. One has to wonder what the big-picture plan is here, though. They take on his entire $9.25 million cap hit. Even if he is the best version of himself, he's still falling notably short of that benchmark.

He can be a solid second-pair defenseman. His skating is great, but because of his size, he got miscast as a shutdown player in Edmonton. He's better suited to drive offense with zone entries in sheltered situations.

After his addition and Trouba's, the Sharks have added $17.5 million in annual cap hits to their books for the next four seasons without adding a legitimate top-pairing defenseman or shutdown defenseman. And both are over 30. They're not really any better at suppressing goals than they were 24 hours ago. While they may have the financial wiggle room now, that will not last forever. Their young corps will need extensions, and if they are to get to the next level, they'll need to continue to add.

Just because you have cap space doesn't mean you need to burn through it.

For Edmonton, the most important move here was getting Nurse's contract off the books. His cap hit over the next four seasons can be better spent elsewhere. We'll have to see how Edmonton makes use of it.

The Sharks won't miss Mukhamudlin — they have far better young defensemen on the way — but he could fit Edmonton's needs. The 6'4" lefty is a better shot suppressor than Nurse and, as a 24-year-old RFA, should provide better bang for the buck.

San Jose Sharks: C+

Edmonton Oilers: A

Rangers Add Joonas Korpisalo From Bruins

It's a bizarre trade for the Rangers to figure out. They have 24-year-old Dylan Garand in the ranks primed for backup duty. He has performed well in dire circumstances the last few seasons in the AHL and showed very well in his NHL cameo in 2025-26.

It's fair enough that they want a true training camp competition and some veteran insurance, but why are they giving up an asset to take a problem off Boston's hands?

Korpisalo's $3 million cap hit is expensive for a backup goaltender, and although he has played pretty well in some seasons (last season included), his performances have also ranged towards the dire side at times. That his contract extends through 2028 makes it worse. Even if he doesn't block Garand, then it means the Rangers gave up a draft pick to stash a goaltender in the AHL with a cap penalty. There will be plenty of cheap, less burdensome veteran goaltenders available on the waiver wire during training camp.

Boston will be thrilled to get out of the contract while collecting a mid-round pick. Michael DiPietro has been one of the best goaltenders in the AHL the last few seasons, and they're frankly lucky he went through waivers last Fall.

New York Rangers: C-

Boston Bruins: A+

Mammoth Land Trocheck From Rangers

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This trade (with more coming) completely changes the complexion of the Rangers.

Losing Trocheck will hurt. He's a good player, and the Rangers don't exactly have many options at center. Regardless, his defensive reputation doesn't match the events on the ice. He actually struggled as a shutdown center the last two seasons.

He may recover some of that ability in Utah in a different setup, but the Rangers already have Mika Zibanejad and JT Miller as theoretical offensive play drivers. Trocheck was their third-best option in that regard. He turns 33 in a few days, and the Rangers are not in a place where they can hold on to aging players with trade value.

The return here is well-suited to the Rangers' needs. Sean Durzi, 28, is a right-handed offensive defenseman who skates well and dishes pucks well in all three zones. His defensive game can be nervy, but the Rangers will be able to shelter his minutes, with Adam Fox and either Braden Schneider able to take tough assignments.

Cole Beaudoin is a workhorse center who plays the kind of rustic game you want out of a future third-line center. He's relentless in puck pursuits and board battles, and he creates chaos around the netfront. The 20-year-old former first-round pick is likely headed to the AHL in October, but he won't be far off NHL-ready.

The Utah Mammoth also gets something of a makeover here. The top of their roster is very good, but their lack of depth was exposed in their round-one matchup against Vegas. He would be a strong third-line center behind Nick Schmaltz and Logan Cooley, or perhaps Schmaltz shifts to wing. The latter perhaps makes the most sense, as the Mammoth have a hole on the second-line wing.

Utah Mammoth: B

New York Rangers: A-

Maple Leafs Deal for Nick Paul

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue a seismic change to the roster. Suffice to say, given the various moves made, that Toronto has identified the bottom-six as a place that has held the team back the last few seasons. That isn't incorrect.

Nick Paul is a quality bottom-six forward who can feature both at center and wing. Given the current roster, one has to imagine he'll be a third-line center. He's a robust defensive forward who chips in secondary offense off the forecheck. Given the current free agent market, his $3.15 million cap hit for the next three seasons should be fine even at 31 years old.

Tampa Bay is also reshuffling its depth chart, and they sure could use draft picks, given how emptied the prospect pool has become. A third- and a fourth-round pick are a proportional return for a bottom-sixer like Paul. However, I can't say I love the net result of those moves. They collectively overspent on Ilya Mikheyev and Jeffrey Viel.

On the other hand, Dennis Hildeby is an exciting young goaltender who was great in the AHL and held up in spot NHL appearances. He is the best backup option the Lightning have had in years and, with Vasilevskiy soon to be 32, Tampa needs a backup who can take on a legitimate load at a cheap cap hit. Hildeby should do the job.

Toronto Maple Leafs: B

Tampa Bay Lightning: B

Will Borgen Heads to Boston

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You can't look at this move in a vacuum for the Rangers, but if you do, you still have to like it. Borgen, acquired via the Kaapo Kakko trade to Seattle, played pretty well over a short span of games and was then given a contract way above his means as a reward. He also does not fit the Rangers' playing style or needs. An offensive black hole, his inability to move the puck was poisonous for the Rangers last season. Getting out of his contract while also adding back some draft capital is very good all-around work by GM Chris Drury.

For Boston, it's not a great move, but it makes some sense given the environment. Prices for defensemen are exorbitant. The Bruins' hybrid defensive systems may be a better fit for him, and he is an upgrade on outgoing UFA Andrew Peeke. He does a very good job defending the home plate area of the defensive zone, boxing out and blocking shots from grade-A opportunities. He is also a mobile skater. In an ideal situation, Borgen is more of a No. 6 PKing defenseman.

His $4.1 million cap hit through 2030 may become more manageable (or tradeable) in a couple of seasons, but I wouldn't bet on his living up to that in terms of the value he provides to the Bruins.

Boston Bruins: C+

New York Rangers: A

Red Wings Deal for Keegan Kolesar

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The Red Wings are in the midst of an existential crisis, with a now 10-season streak without playoff hockey and captain Dylan Larkin wanting a trade.

A bottom-six winger won't end the anxiety, but Kolesar is a fun player. The 29-year-old is pure brute force as both an offensive and defensive presence. He finished seventh among NHL forwards by hits last season. He's pure grit. He peaked with 12 goals last season and has some decent playmaking chops. He'll bring a lot of productive energy to Detroit, which needs a lot of help in that department.

Vegas won't be happy to see Kolesar go. For them, this is about math. They have some depth holes to fill (and potentially are looking to add a big player like Larkin down the line). They need to shed salary and add assets. A $2.5 million fourth liner this season and next is a luxury they cannot afford.

Detroit Red Wings: B-

Vegas Golden Knights: B+