With draft day just over the hill and free agency rapidly approaching, trade activity among NHL teams has begun to percolate. None involving our Penguins as of yet, but some interesting swaps nonetheless.
Today the Sabres dealt RFA-to-be and hot commodity J.J. Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. A former second-round pick (37th overall), Doan is the son of longtime NHL standout Shane Doan. Kesselring, a 6’5” 215-pound right-shot defenseman, is both physical (five fights last season) and productive (29 points).
He’s likely a replacement for Sabres RFA defender Bowen Byram, also rumored to be in play.
For me, the real intrigue centers on Peterka, a 23-year-old forward and rising star who was rumored to be coveted by the Rangers. I’m all for anything that causes the Blueshirts grief.
Hedging against the potential departure of UFA forward Brock Boeser, Jimmy Rutherford’s Canucks acquired 33-year-old power forward Evander Kane from the Oilers yesterday for a fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Kane missed the entire regular season following multiple surgeries to repair a damaged knee and a gruesome set of abdominal injuries, including two torn hip adductor muscles, two hernias and two torn lower abdominal muscles. (Dear Lord.)
Although he returned for the playoffs to tally six goals and 12 points in 21 games for the Oilers, Kane’s undisciplined play led to two Panthers’ power-play goals in the Final.
Still, with Adam Foote, a fierce competitor during his playing days, taking over behind the Canucks’ bench, Kane’s hard-driving power game should go over well in the Pacific Northwest.
Among other notable deals, the Flyers acquired talented but star-crossed 24-year-old center Trevor Zegras from Anaheim on June 23 for ex-Pen Ryan Poehling and two picks. I was never a huge fan of Poehling, who plays small (only 26 hits last season) despite his decent size (6’2” 204).
The cap-strapped Stars offloaded some size, scoring and salary by dealing 30-year-old power forward Mason Marchment to the Kraken for a pair of picks.
In a headliner involving the Rangers, the Blueshirts peddled (exiled?) veteran power forward/scorer Chris Kreider to the Ducks on June 12 (presumably to make room for Peterka) for forward Carey Terrance and a third-round pick.
According to reports, there was no love lost between Kreider and Mike Sullivan back when the new Rangers coach served as an assistant in the Big Apple under John Tortorella.
For a complete and up-to-date list of trades, visit the NHL’s Trade Tracker.
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Rick
My final guess on who the Pen's take in the 1st Round. I would like to see them
trade up and grab a Center with size, but here goes my best guess for the 11th
& 12th picks.
I think they'll end of taking either Caleb Desnoyers or Jack Nesbitt with one of
their picks and I could see them trading the other 1st rounder. If they don't
trade either pick I see them taking a Defenseman and like you I hope its
Kashawn Aitcheson.
I don't see Desnoyers getting past Boston "he's there type of player". Nesbitt
is ranked between 15 & 20 but I like his upside and size - he does need to
improve as a skater. However it goes it's exciting to see us with two first
round picks in the top 15.