Grading The Moves Made At The NHL Trade Deadline – Part I

Clubs have been talking to each other for weeks leading up to the March 21st NHL trade deadline, with buyers looking for the final pieces that could improve their chances to win the Stanley Cup, and sellers looking to accumulate as many assets as possible for players with expiring contracts.

At the same time, clubs are attempting to negotiate with pending free agents at the 11th hour to get favorable terms on a new deal before having no other choice to move them.

Here are the signings and trades made up until now.

San Jose signs center Tomas Hertl, eight years, $61.5 million ($8.1375M AAV):

Grade – A-

The Sharks contract termination of Evander Kane in January made the extension of Hertl possible. The 28-year-old was drawing significant interest from contending teams like New York looking for a center capable of playing in the top six, but in the end, his offense would have been tough to replace and San Jose made him the second-highest-paid player behind Erik Karlsson.

Dallas signs center Joe Pavelski, one-year, $6 million

Grade – A+

Pavelski was rumored to be another target of clubs looking for a scoring center, but the Stars are in the thick of the Western Conference wildcard race and unlike other veteran Dallas forwards like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, the 37-year-old is still producing at a point-per-game pace playing with youngsters Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson. Getting him on a one-year deal is good insurance against a sudden drop-off in performance.

Philadelphia signs defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, five years, $25.5 million ($5.1M AAV):

Grade – B+

The much-criticized Finnish blueliner has had a solid year in Philadelphia, playing a more defensive role than he did with Buffalo. The Flyers would have been able to recoup the first-round pick they dealt to the Sabres to acquire the big righty last summer, but Ristolainen liked it enough with the Flyers to take less than his $5.4 million salary for a long-term commitment.

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Anaheim trades defenseman Josh Manson to Colorado for a 2023 second-round pick and prospect Drew Helleson.

Ducks Grade – B+
Avalanche Grade – A

GM Joe Sakic made the first move for a rental defenseman in adding Manson, necessitated in part by the injury to Samuel Girard. The Avs are now eight deep on the blueline going into the playoffs and got the Ducks to retain 50% of Manson’s $4.1 million salary. It was surprising that Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek could not get a first-round pick in a trade for the tough 30-year-old blueliner, but made up for it by acquiring Helleson, who played for Team USA in Beijing and three years at Boston College.

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Colorado trades center Tyson Jost to Minnesota for center Nico Sturm. 

Wild Grade – B
Avs Grade – B-

A trade precipitated by the Manson deal, Jost has seen his role in Colorado reduced over the last few seasons, and moving out his $2 million salary clears a large chunk of Manson’s cap hit. Sturm is on a league-minimum deal, excellent on draws, and can kill penalties.

Florida trades forward Frank Vatrano to the New York Rangers for a 2022 fourth-round pick.

Panthers Grade – B
Rangers Grade – A-

Florida GM Bill Zito’s moving out Vatrano clears out his $2.53 million cap hit and is likely the precursor of a move for a forward like Claude Giroux and/or some defensive help. The Rangers were rumored to be interested in Hertl to put into their top-six, but GM Chris Drury quickly pivoted and added the 28-year-old for a mid-round pick. Vatrano can play center or wing and could be a fit on New York’s second line with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin.