Three massive trades went down in the NHL, shaking up the entire landscape of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Those three trades being: Brandon Hagel traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Claude Giroux traded to the Florida Panthers and Hampus Lindholm traded to the Boston Bruins. Here is a break down these major trades and see how significant these trades are to the heated playoff race
The dominos of trade fell after the Tampa Bay Lightning made an unexpected blockbuster trade with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks trading forward Brandon Hagel, who was in the middle of his breakout season, along with two 4th to the Lightning for prospects Taylor Raddysh, Boris Katchouk, and 2 first-round picks
Full Trade Breakdown
Chicago Blackhawks acquire: Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh, 2023 Top 10 protected 1st round pick, 2024 Top 10 protected first-round pick
Tampa Bay Lightning acquire: Brandon Hagel, 2022 4th round pick, 2024 4th round pick
This trade seems extremely lopsided in favor of the Blackhawks but there is a good reason for both of these teams to make this trade. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, they’re coming off of back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships and are looking to become the next NHL dynasty. But like all contending teams, the Lightning are in a major cap crunch. Trading for Brandon Hagel, who is on a stellar 3 years x $1.5 million contract would be a huge relief to the Lightning.
As for the Blackhawks, new GM Kyle Davidson said he wants to head in a different direction, towards a rebuild. Accumulating draft picks and prospects would be the best course of action and Davidson did just that, acquiring 2 future first-round picks and 2 of Tampa’s best young prospects. Even though this trade will benefit the Lightning’s cup run, the Chicago Blackhawks easily won this trade based on the return they received.
The following day, the Boston Bruins decided to get in on the action by adding a much-needed top 4 defenseman from the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are trading defenseman Hampus Lindholm to the Boston Bruins for John Moore, Urho Vaakanainen, a 1st round pick, and two 2nd round picks
Full Trade Breakdown
Anaheim Ducks acquire: John Moore, Urho Vaakanainen, 2022 1st round pick, 2023 2nd round pick, 2024 2nd round pick
Boston Bruins acquire: Hampus Lindholm (50% retained), Kodie Curran
The trade appears to be very smart for both parties. The Boston Bruins are working with a strong and deep forward core, and a good goaltending tandem. However, they could use some work defensively, especially on the left side. Adding a defenseman like Lindholm would be a huge boost to their current LD. Additionally, the Bruins are expected to give an 8 year, $6.5M AAV extension in the coming days.
The Ducks have already begun the process of selling expiring contracts as they don’t view themselves as a playoff team. They have already sold Josh Manson and keep on adding to their pile of picks and prospects. But it is clear that one team got the better end of the deal and that is the Anaheim Ducks. Lindholm’s play in the last 3 years has fallen off of a cliff and he appears to be regressing. Giving up a young roster player along with a 1st and two seconds is a big overpayment for a defenseman that will be overpaid by the Bruins
The last, and certainly not the least, trade involves the Eastern Conference’s best Florida Panthers and the biggest trade fish in the market, Claude Giroux. The Philadelphia Flyers send Claude Giroux to the Florida Panthers for Owen Tippett and a conditional 2024 1st round pick
Full Trade Breakdown
Florida Panthers acquire: Claude Giroux (50% retained), German Rubtsov, Connor Bunnaman, 2024 5th round pick
Philadelphia Flyers: Owen Tippett, 2024 Top 10 Protected 1st round pick, 2023 3rd round pick
The longtime Flyers captain, who just recently played his 1000th game with the franchise, Claude Giroux was a pending UFA and his time in Philadelphia looked like it was coming to an end. The Flyers are heading into an unknown future while the 34-year-old veteran Giroux prefers to go on a deep playoff run. With his NMC, Giroux decided on taking his talents to South Florida.
The Florida Panthers get a huge asset for their projected Stanley Cup run. The Panthers have struggled to get far into the playoffs these past few years but the addition of Giroux will certainly bolster their chances. Even though the Flyers acquired a solid prospect in Owen Tippett and a 1st for Giroux, they could have gotten more based on what other players have been going for.
