The General Manager Corner: NHL Trades to Consider

Apr 28, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets fans react after their team

As we approach the end of another NHL season, don’t fret fellow hockey fans. In fact, it’s time for the next fun part of the calendar: the off-season! And since we fans know more than the 30 General Managers paid to do this stuff, I think it’s only appropriate to throw out a couple of trade ideas that not only make sense, but should happen this summer. Of course that doesn’t mean any of them will happen, but if one of these do occur over the next few weeks, just remember where you read it first. And if you’re a General Manager reading this and something strikes a chord, at least give me some credit.

So without further ado, the five hockey trades that should happen this off-season (all salaries courtesy of capgeek.com):

Apr 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Carolina won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

To Anaheim: Jordan Staal

To Carolina: Jakob Silfverberg, Nicolas Kerdiles, Sami Vatanen

The General Manager says: On paper the Hurricanes are one of the least exciting, unimpressive teams with a farm system just as dull. While having the Brothers Staal on the top-2 pivots is a decent start, the organization lacks quality depth throughout. By moving one of its more tradeable assets, the Hurricanes pick up three quality young pieces to start a much-needed rebuild in Raleigh. Silfverberg and Vatanen are restricted free agents but should be easily signed and be able to step onto the Hurricanes roster from day one. As for Kerdiles, Anaheim’s second round pick from 2012 has the potential to turn into a reliable center sooner rather than later.

For the Ducks, stuck in a division with Los Angeles and San Jose, they need a big centerman that can slot behind Ryan Getzlaf and cause havoc in the defensive zone for their opponents. Jordan Staal will never have the offensive prowess of big brother Eric, but is certaintly more than capable of shutting down bigger forwards and impacting a game in a variety of ways. He’s signed through the 2022/23 season at $6,000,000 a season, but with a rising cap and plenty of space available, the Ducks should jump at the chance to add the versatile Staal to its lineup.

May 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) skates with the puck against the New York Rangers during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

To Tampa Bay: Kris Letang

To Pittsburgh: Alex Killorn, Andrey Vasilevskiy, Richard Panik, 2014 1st Round Draft Pick from the Rangers

The General Manager says: Okay now we’re talking some serious blockbuster potential. It’s not because Pittsburgh doesn’t like Letang or what he brings to the team. It’s more to do with the tight cap situation the team put itself in as well as a lack of depth up-front from years of trading picks for veterans trying to win a title. The Penguins’ lack of depth got seriously exposed in its playoff defeat to the Rangers.  In Killorn and Panik the Penguins add cheap help up front (both are restricted free agents) and pick up top goaltending prospect Vasilevskiy.  The big Russian netminder was Tampa Bay’s first round pick in 2012 and continues to put up impressive numbers in every league or tournament he participates.

The move also frees up money for Pittsburgh to either re-sign some of its own free agents such as Matt Niskanen or dip into the free agency pool to plug some of its other holes.

In Letang, Tampa Bay adds a dynamic offensive defenseman to add to a blue line already featuring Victor Hedman, Matt Carle, and Radko Gudas. Letang on a power play with Steven Stamkos is also the type of combination that keeps opposing goalies up at night.  Letang will earn $7,250,000 through 2021/22 and does come with some concerns about his in-season stroke that caused him to miss significant time.  Assuming he is beyond those issues (and really there is no way to tell), then this is a worthwhile gamble for the Lightning.  Tampa Bay has some young forwards on the cusp of significant playing time with the big club (including 2013 first round pick Jonathan Drouin) and can withstand the loss of Killorn and Panik up front.  Plus with Ben Bishop solidifying himself as the team’s number one goalie, Tampa Bay can part with Vasilevskiy.  The first round pick was obtained via the Martin St. Louis trade and would still leave Tampa Bay with its own first rounder in this year’s draft.

(Edit: previously included Ohlund in here as a featured blue-liner by mistake…apologies to the Tampa Bay community.)

Jun 9, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal (18) controls the puck against Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) during the first period in game three of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

To New York: Sam Gagner, Mitchell Moroz

To Edmonton: Marc Staal, 2014 4th Round Draft Pick

The General Manager says: Despite years of high draft picks, the Oilers still lack any semblance of a respectable defense.  In Marc Staal they add a defenseman who on his best days would automatically become the Oilers best defenseman.  He’s signed for only one more season though at $3,975,000, so he will be in line for a raise to around $5,500,000 annually next season.  The 27-year old still has plenty of good hockey in front of him as long as he can stay healthy.  Staal coupled with 2013 first round selection Darnell Nurse would finally have the Oilers’ defense on the path to respectability.

For the Rangers, it’s no secret that Brad Richards will be bought out this summer, leaving the team with a gaping hole down the middle.  The 24-year old Gagner is signed through the 2015/16 season at $4,800,000.  He’s never quite put it all together in spite of his offensive gifts.  He has long been rumored to be traded, and it’s probably best that he’s moved at this point.  Put me in the category that a move to Broadway under the tutelage of Alain Vigneault would be a blessing for Gagner and consistent 60-point seasons would sure to follow.  As for Moroz, the 2012 draftee is still growing into his 6’2” frame and has the potential to be a physical forward with the ability to pot some big goals.  Plus after recent trades the past few seasons for veteran players, the Rangers need to start adding some more quality youth to its organization.

Also the emergence of Anton Stralman makes Staal expendable. Stralman is set to become an unrestricted free agent in a few weeks and has earned a bump in salary with his strong play in these playoffs.

May 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) collides with Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) during the first period in game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

To Florida: Niklas Hjalmarsson

To Chicago: Rocco Grimaldi, 2014 3rd Round Draft Pick

The General Manager says: If this looks like a salary dump, well, it is.  The Hawks have put themselves in the undesireable position of being over the projected cap of $71,100,000 next season.  Really unfortunate for them is they still need to fill in a few holes in the roster while keeping an eye towards next summer when both Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are unrestricted free agents.  Hjalmarsson is a solid blue-liner set to count $4,100,000 against the cap in the first year of a new contract.  No doubt the Hawks would prefer to move someone else off the roster, but know they are in a difficult negotiating position.

In Grimaldi and a draft pick, the Hawks get some value for Hjalmarsson while saving significant money to be used elsewhere.  The Panthers acquire a defenseman they can rely upon in all situations for the next five years and hopefully a piece that can help the team win again.

Plus I think somewhere in the CBA it states the Panthers and Hawks have to make a trade every three months.