Zak MacMillan

"CBJ"

Harrisburg, PA • United States • 23 Years Old • Male

My Reactions to Trades- Deadline and Before (Longest Blog Pd

SubTitle: My Longest Blog Ever

What is better than seeing and hearing about trades at the trade deadline? Reacting to the trades from the deadline. This blog is my thoughts on the trades that happened prior to and the day of the NHL Trade Deadline.
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During the Week
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To Chicago- LW Andrew Laad, RW Matt
Fraser, D Jay Harrison

To Winnipeg- RW Marko Dano, 2016 1st Rd. Pick, Cond. 2018 3rd Rd. Pick

What a trade for both sides on this one.
The Jets continue their build and add a great young forward in Marko Dano. Seeing a lot of Dano in his rookie season was fun to see and brought a great energy to the Jackets team when they went on their late season run. The draft picks help the Jets down the road with many of their prospects coming up, including Eric Comrie, Kyle Connor, Jack Roslovic, and Josh Morissey. The Blackhawks continue their quest to a fourth Stanley Cup in seven years, bringing in someone who won the Cup in 2010 with this club in the ex-Jets captain. Jay Harrison is a depth defenseman who won the Stanley Cup with Brandon Saad in Carolina in 2006. Matt Fraser is at best a bottom 6 guy who has been part of multiple franchise deals, including this one and the Tyler Seguin blockbuster.

*Note- Winnipeg retains 36% of Laad's salary. The condition on the pick is if Chicago wins the Stanley Cup this year, the Jets get this draft pick.

Short Term Winner: Chicago

Long Term Winner: Winnipeg

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To Chicago- D Christian Ehrhoff

To Los Angeles: D Rob Scuderi

I guess any team can make trades, including teams that have traded Stanley Cups. Rob Scideri came to Chicago to replace Trevor Daley (PIT) who was not working in ChiTown. The same happened to Scuderi in Chicago, and was assigned to the Rockford Ice Hogs (AHL). Ehrhoff was not working out in Los Angeles, and was assigned to the Ontario Reign (AHL). This is good defensive deal for both teams. Scuderi comes back to Los Angeles, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2012. The veteran defenseman also won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009. Ehrhoff can pick up points and move the puck, which Chicago might be interested in if one of their Defensemen goes down.

*Note: Chicago retains 50% of Scuderi's salary; Pittsburgh reatains a portion as well. Los Angeles retains 15% of Ehrhoff's salary.

Short-Term Winner: Chicago

Long-Term Winner: Unknown

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To Chicago: LW Tomas Fleschimann, RW Dale Weise

To Montreal: C Phillip Danault, 2018 2nd Rd. Pick

What another great move by GM Stan Bowman. The Hawks continue to add depth on the wing with these two guys. Both are veteran and have playoff experience. Weise is a playoff performer and has played with New York (Rangers), Vancouver, and Montreal. Fleschimann was a drafted Red Wing, but has played with Washington, Florida, and Anaheim. According to John Jackel of Hockeybuzz, he said that the Hawks could have moved either him or Denis Raumssen, and they chose the younger center to go to a team that is resetting. The 2nd round pick will help the Habs down the road.

*Note: The Habs retained a portion of Weise's salary.

Short Term Winner: Chicago

Long-Term Winner: Montreal
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To Calgary: LW Hunter Shinkaruk

To Vancouver: C Markus Grandlund

It's the revenge of Sven Baertschi. Last year, I thought this trade was an huge mistake by Calgary to trade Baertschi last season, and it looks to be the same this season for Vancouver in Hunter Shinkaruk. The Canucks, however, picked up Granlund, who is a bottom 6 forward at best. He normally plays center, but they can work something out with him.

Short Term Winner: Calgary

Long Term Winner: Calgary
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To Edmonton: G Niklas Lundstrom, 2016 5th Rd. Pick

To St. Louis: G Andres Nilsson

Good depth move by the St. Louis Blues to add a big goalie. Ken Hitchcock likes big goalies and he is one. Lindstrom is a prospect for Edmonton, and they are starting to add draft picks. The 5th rounder is their own and not Columbus'.

Short Term Winner: St. Louis
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To Edmonton: 3rd Rd. Pick

To Florida: RW Teddy Purcell

This deal took a while to go down officially, but the Panthers added more scoring by adding a veteran winger with playoff experience. Purcell has played with Tampa Bay and Los Angeles in his career. Edmonton continues their rebuild with more draft selections.

Short Term Winner: Florida

Long Term Winner: Edmonton
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To Calgary: 2016 2nd Rd. Pick; 2018 4th Rd. Pick

To Florida: RW Jiri Hudler

What a move by Flordia to add more offensive depth. Last year, Hudler won the Lady Byng Trophy and was in the top 30 in point scoring with a playoff team. This year, he moves to Southern Florida to return to the postseason. Hudler also played with Detroit in his career.

Short Term Winner: Florida

Long Term Winner: Draw
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To Detroit: 2016 6th Rd. Pick

To Florida: D Jakub Kindl

Flordia continues their add of depth before the deadline, this time on the backend. Kindl fell out of contention in Hockey Town, and now comes in as a bottom pairing defenseman on a team with a couple veterans back there.

*Note: Detroit retains salary on Kindl's contract.

Short Term Winner: Florida

Long Term Winner: Florida
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To Toronto: G Alex Stalock, RW Ben Smith, Cond. 2018 4th Rd. Pick

To San Jose: G James Reimer, RW Jeremy Morin

Crazy move between the Sharks and Leafs. Yet again, the Sharks are looking at the present at the cost of future and helping Toronto later on. Stalock to me has shown that he is now an AHL goalie after a couple bad seasons. Smith has not really fit in San Jose, and could be moved again. Same with Stalock. Reimer bolsters the Sharks' goaltending behind Martin Jones. It is sad to see Morin be moved yet again. In about a year and half, he has gone from Chicago to Columbus to be back in Chicago to Toronto to San Jose. Morin is a good bottom 6 forward that can score goals; he did it in Columbus.

*Note: Condition is based on if San Jose makes it to the Stanley Cup Final. If they do, the 4th turns into a 3rd rounder.

Short Term Winner: San Jose

Long Term Winner: San Jose
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To Edmonton: 2016 3rd Rd. Pick

To Pittsburgh: D Justin Schultz

What a pickup by Pittsburgh. Schultz and his offensive abilities join an offensively strong team with the Penguins. Oilers General Manager put word out he was moving him, and Penguins General Manger Jimmy Rutherford said he wanted a bottom pairing guy, and he got one that could be a Top 4, in my opinion. Edmonton adds to their total of draft picks to 10 now.

Short Term Winner: Pittsburgh

Long Term Winner: Pittsburgh
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To Edmonton: 2017 5th Rd. Pick

To Vancouver: rights of D Phillip Larsen

This is a strange and under the radar move by the Vancouver Canucks. Larsen has been in the KHL the past couple of seasons, and looks like will come back to the NHL to play with the Canucks. Larsen has 30 points in 54 games this season in the KHL. Larsen was a drafted Dallas Star and was moved to Edmonton for Shawn Horcoff. The Oilers add to their arsenal of draft picks.

Short Term Winner: Vancouver

Long Term Winner: Edmonton
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To Toronto: C Colin Smith, 2016 4th Rd. Pick

To Colorado: LW Shawn Matthias

This is a good move for Colorado as they prepare to fight for a playoff spot. Matthias was a drafted Detroit Red Wing who has played with Florida and Vancouver. Smith was a late round pick in 2012, and had 103 points his final season of juniors. The draft pick improves Toronto's stock of draft picks to double digits for this draft.

Short Term Winner: Colorado

Long Term Winner: Colorado (if he resigns); otherwise draw
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To Buffalo: 2017 3rd Rd. Pick

To Washington: D Mike Weber

Washington gets the depth defenseman they were looking for in a Pittsburgh native. Weber has been in Buffalo his entire career, and now joins the league's best team. The Caps get Weber at a cheaper salary, and for that, gave up a more valuable draft choice.

*Note: Buffalo retains 50% of Weber's salary

Short Term Winner: Washington

Long Term Winner: Buffalo
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To Buffalo: C Eric O'Dell, C Alex Guptill, LW Cole Schneider, D Michael Sdao

To Ottawa: RW Jason Akeson, D Jerome Leduc, C Phil Varone, conditional 2016 7th Rd. Pick

The AHL blockbuster has picture between the relatives of the Murray family. O'Dell was drafted by Anaheim, but mostly played in Winnipeg. Guptill was a prospect that was part of the Jason Speeza deal. Schneider and Sdao are prospects for Buffalo. Akeson was a drafted Flyer and was in the midst of his first year in Buffalo. Varone and Leduc have been Sabres their entire careers. The condition on the pick is if Schneider plays three games in a Buffalo sweater this season, and the pick is a 7th rounder.

Short Term Winner: Ottawa

Long Term Winner: Ottawa

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Sunday Before the Deadline
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To Carolina: C Alexsi Sareela, 2016 2nd Rd. Pick, 2017 2nd Rd. Pick

To New York Rangers: C Eric Staal

The Rangers are going all in to win a Stanley Cup by acquiring Marc's brother at the expense of brother Jordan. Eric Staal was a drafted Cane and won the Stanley Cup in 2006. He is a pending UFA, and this is another chance for Eric to win another Cup, and this time with a brother. Sareela was a former third round pick of the Rangers in the 2015 NHL Draft.

*Note: Carolina retains 50% of Staal's salary

Short Term Winner: New York

Long Term Winner: Carolina

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To Los Angeles: LW Kris Versteeg

To Carolina: RW Valentin Zykov, cond. 2016 5th Rd. Pick

The fire sale in Raleigh continues with Kris Versteeg. This is his 7th team he has been on in his career. He was drafted by Boston; won the Stanley Cup twice with Chicago; and had also played with Florida, Philadelphia, and Toronto. Zykov was a former 2nd round pick of the Kings in 2013. The draft pick is conditional based of the success of the Kings and number of games played.

Short Term Winner: Los Angeles

Long Term Winner: Carolina
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To New York: C Chris Brown

To Washington: C Ryan Borque

This is an intriguing depth move by both teams. Brown was a drafted Coyote who was dealt with Rositalev Kesla for Martin Erat. Borque has been a Ranger his whole career.

Short Term Winner: Draw

Long Term Winner: Draw
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To Toronto; LW Brooks Laich, D Connor Carrick, 2016 2nd Rd Pick

To Washington: LW Daniel Winnik, Cond. 2016 5th Rd. Pick (ANA)

This is the weirdest trade this weekend. The 2nd rounder and a good prospect goes to Toronto. That's a steal for the Leafs. Toronto has been looking to move Winnik for a while, and they also get salary off of Washington's hands in Laich.

Short Term Winner: Washington

Long Term Winner: Toronto
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DEADLINE DAY
19 trades | 37 players | 14 draft picks | 1 future considerations
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To Arizona: LW Sergei Plotnikov

To Pittsburgh: 2017 conditional 7th Rd. draft pick, D Matthias Plachta

Pittsburgh started of the deadline deals at 9:30 AM. Jim Rutherford has been telling teams that he was looking to move the Russian winger as he was not a fit in the Steel City. They could recuperate a draft pick of the Coyotes resign the winger.

*note: condition is based on whether or not Plotnikov resigns with Arizona.

Short Term Winner: Arizona

Long Term Winner: Arizona
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To Arizona: LW Alex Tanguay, C Connor Bleacky, D Kyle Wood

To Colorado: RW Mikkel Bodeker

What a move by both teams. It is strange to see Colorado move a veteran like Alex Tanguay when they are looking to go into the playoffs. The Avs also gave up some top prospects, but that is what you have to give up in order to get a good player like a skilled winger. Bleacky was a former first round pick, and if he does not sign, the Coyotes get a compensatory second round pick.

Short Term Winner: Colorado

Long Term Winner: Arizona
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To Calgary: D Jiri Jokipakka, C Brett Pollock, cond. 2nd Rd. Pick

To Dallas: D Kris Russell

The Dallas Stars got the defenseman they wanted. The Stars added Kris Russell, a former Columbus Blue Jacket and St. Louis Blue, who is an extreme block shooter. Jokipakka is a bottom pairing defenseman that Calgary took on for salary reasons and a way to improve on his potential. Pollock is a probably a B- prospect.

*Note: If Stars go to conference finals and Russell plays in 50% of games, pick goes to 1st.

Short Term Winner: Dallas

Long Term Winner: Calgary
__________________________________________________________________To New Jersey: 2017 3rd Rd. Pick

To Colorado: D Eric Gelinas

What a bizarre move by both teams to pull this one off. New Jersey has been looking to move Gelinas since last year. Colorado picks him up to go along with their young Defensemen that they have, including Barrie, Zadarov, Gromley, and Johnson.

Short Term Winner: Colorado

Long Term Winner: Colorado
__________________________________________________________________To Carolina: D Dennis Robertson

To Chicago: G Drew MacIntyre

Dennis Robertson returns to Carolina after being moved out of there for Kris Versteeg. MacIntyre improves the goaltending depth in Chicago, behind Crawford, Darling, and Leighton.

Short Term Winner: Chicago

Long Term Winner: Chicago
__________________________________________________________________To Anaheim: LW Brandon Pirri

To Florida: 2016 6th Rd. Pick

This has to be the weirdest trade in the trade deadline. Pirri has been productive for Florida, and teams were offering the Panthers a second round pick for him. The Cats settled on a 6th round pick, and my guess is because of the injury to Pirri recently. The Panthers also wanted to pick up a draft pick after dealing so many.

Short Term Winner: Anaheim

Long Term Winner: Anaheim
__________________________________________________________________To Boston: D John-Michael Liles

To Carolina: RW Anthony Camara, 2016 3rd Rd pick, 2017 5th Rd pick

Boston is going all in for a postseason, and add to their defensive depth by adding a veteran in John-Michael Liles. Liles was drafted by Colorado and has also played with Toronto in is career. Camara is probably going to be a career AHLer. The years of the draft picks are divided in different years, so they do not feel a double loss of draft picks in the same draft.

Short Term Winner: Boston

Long Term Winner: Carolina

__________________________________________________________________To New York Islanders: LW Shane Prince, 2016 7th Rd. Pick

To Ottawa: 2016 3rd Rd. Pick

Another bizarre move at the deadline today, involving a young forward going to a young team. Prince was a former second round pick of the Senators who asked to be moved this year. The Senators were also looking acquire more quality draft picks after moving out a second for next season
__________________________________________________________________To Boston: RW Lee Stempniak

To New Jersey: 2017 2nd Rd. Pick; 2016 4th Rd pick

Boston continues to prove they are going all in by adding the Devils' leading scorer. Stempniak has been all over the place in his career- St. Louis, Toronto, New York, Calgary, Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Winnipeg. The Devils also add to their pool of draft picks with two more from Boston in two different years.

Short Term Winner: Boston

Long Term Winner: New Jersey
__________________________________________________________________To Minnesota: D Connor Allen

To Ottawa: LW Michael Keranen

The Wild add a depth defenseman on their team at the cost of a mid-aged forward. Allen has played with New York and Nashville in his short career. Keranen has been in Minnesota his entire career.

Short Term Winner: Minnesota

Long Term Winner: Minnesota
__________________________________________________________________To New York Islanders: C Marc-Andre Cliche

To Colorado: LW Taylor Beck

For the third time since last summer, Taylor Beck has been moved. Beck has gone from Nashville to Toronto to Brooklyn to Denver in seven months. Cliche is a veteran that has played with Los Angeles and Colorado in his career. This is a swap of depth forwards.

Short Term Winner: New York

Long Term Winner: Colorado
__________________________________________________________________To New Jersey: RW Devante Smith-Pelly

To Montreal: LW Stefan Matteau

This is a strange move for Montreal to make because Smith-Pelly is a good young forward. The young winger will join former teammate Kyle Palmeri in Newark. Matteau was a former first round pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft that has not worked out in New Jersey.

Short Term Winner: New Jersey

Long Term Winner: New Jersey
__________________________________________________________________To Pittsburgh: LW Dustin Jeffery, LW Dan O'Donoghue, D James Melindy

To Arizona: C Matia Marcantuoni

The Penguins bring back a former Pen in Jeffery along with two other prospects at the cost of one. Jeffery also played with Vancouver and New York (Islanders) in his career.

Short Term Winner: Pittsburgh

Long Term Winner: Pittsburgh
__________________________________________________________________To Anaheim: LW Jamie McGinn

To Buffalo: 2016 conditional 3rd round pick

The Sabres moved out their top rental to a team that was looking for wingers. McGinn, a drafted Shark, has also played with the Avalanche in his career. McGinn will give the Ducks some depth and playoff experience.

*Note: could be 2nd based on performance and games played.

Short Term Winner: Anaheim

Long Term Winner: Buffalo
__________________________________________________________________To Minnesota: RW Scott Sabourin

To Los Angeles: LW Brett Sutter

An AHL trade that involves a Sutter. Sutter has also played with Calgary and Carolina in his career. Sabourin is a youngster that has been in LA's system his entire career.

Short Term Winner: Los Angeles

Long Term Winner: Los Angeles
__________________________________________________________________To Anaheim: D Martin Gerant, 2016 4th Rd. Pick

To Edmonton: RW Patrick Maroon

The Ducks move out a big body with some salary and term to a team in need of big bodies and salary on the wing. The Ducks acquire a young defenseman and a mid-round draft pick. Gerant has not developed into the defenseman he could have been in Edmonton, and hopefully that works out in Anaheim.

Short Term Winner: Edmonton

Long Term Winner: Anaheim
__________________________________________________________________To Anaheim: LW Corey Tropp

To Chicago: RW Tim Jackman, 2017 7th Rd. Pick

A move of ex-Blue Jackets and depth forwards between two playoff teams. Tropp was drafted by Buffalo, but has also played with the Jackets in his career. He can play bottom six minutes in the NHL, but is probably going to play in the AHL with Anaheim, unless there is injuries in the NHK. The draft pick adds to Chicago's stash of 2017 draft picks as they are hosting the draft next year. Jackman is an enforcer in the NHL, but has played in the AHL this year. He has played in Calgary and Columbus in his career.

Short Term Winner: Anaheim

Long Term Winner: Chiacago
__________________________________________________________________To Nashville: D Corey Potter

To Arizona: Future Considerations

The Predators add a depth defenseman from a selling team for a minimal cost. Potter has played with New York (Rangers), Edmonton, and Calgary in his career.

Short Term Winner: Nashville

Long Term Winner: Nashville
__________________________________________________________________To Calgary: G Nicklas Backstrom, 2016 6th Rd. Pick

To Minnesota: RW David Jones

The Wild add a scoring winger that they were looking for. Jones has played with Colorado and Calgary in his career. Backstrom is in the twilight of his career, and his salary had to be moved out in order to get this trade done. The pick is probably a reward for taking Backstrom's salary.

Short Term Winner: Minnesota

Long Term Winner: Calgary
__________________________________________________________________The Waiver Wire

On Saturday, Maxime Talbot (BOS), Chris Porter (MIN) and Brooks Laich (WSH) have all cleared waivers.

Chris Porter is a former St. Louis Blue draft pick that signed with Philadelphia over the summer. Early in the season, he was placed on waivers and Minnesota picked him up. He cleared and is headed to Iowa.

Max Talbot has been up and down between Boston and Providence are year long. He was drafted by Pittsburgh, and was the reason to their Stanley Cup Championship in 2009. He has also played with Philadelphia and Colorado.

The Capitals made a shocking move with placing Brooks Laich, a $4 million dollar player to the minors. Laich was drafted by Ottawa, but played most of the time in Washington. He will now head to Hershey in the AHL.
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On Sunday, Alex Stalock (TOR) , Reto Berra (COL), Rene Borque (CBJ), Mike Brown (SJ), David Warsofsky (PIT), Adam Pardy (WPG), Zac Rinaldo (BOS) and Adam Cracknell (VAN) have been placed on waivers.

Alex Stalock was acquired by Toronto from San Jose on Saturday. San Jose grew sour on him and got James Reimer and Jeremy Morin. Stalock is a pending UFA and will be assigned to the Marlies if he clears.

Reto Berra is in a three way goalie battle with Seymon Varlamov and Calvin Pickard. People that live in Cleveland now how Pickard and Berra play best because last year the Avalanche had an agreement with the Mosnters to stay there. Berra was a drafted St. Louis Blue that has played with Calgary in his short career. If he clears, he will be assigned to San Antonio.

Rene Borque is a $3 million dollar player that Columbus is ready to move away from so a younger player can thrive here. Borque came to Columbus with William Karlsson for James Wisniewski at last year's deadline. Borque has also played with Calgary, Chicago, and Montreal. If cleared, he will head to Cleveland.

Mike Brown is an enforcer, a member of a dying breed of players in the NHL. Brown is in the final year of his deal with San Jose. He has also played with Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver. If cleared, he'll play for the Barracuda.

David Warsofsky is a young defenseman that has had a tough guy everywhere he has been because the defense has improved. In Boston, there was the veterans there first, and then other younger players stood up and he had to go. In Pittsburgh, he saw quality guys like Trevor Daley and Justin Schultz arrive, and he had to be demoted again. If he clears, he will head to Wilkes-Barre Scranton.

Adam Pardy is a veteran defenseman in Winnipeg who they are trying to move. Pardy is a pending UFA and has played with Dallas and Calgary in his career. If he clears, he will join the Manitoba Moose.

Zac Rinaldo is on waivers. Another enforcer going to the minors. It is funnier to see Boston gave up a third round pick for him. If he clears, he will join Max Talbot in Providence.

Adam Cracknell is someone the Canucks are trying to move as they continue to retool. Cracknell is a former St. Louis Blue draft pick that also played with Columbus and Los Angeles. If he clears, he will head to Utica.
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Waiver Wire Update:
On Sunday, Alex Stalock (TOR) , Reto Berra (COL), Rene Borque (CBJ), Mike Brown (SJ), David Warsofsky (PIT), Adam Pardy (WPG), Zac Rinaldo (BOS) and Adam Cracknell (VAN) have been placed on waivers.

Stalock, Berra, Borque, and Rinaldo clear.

Edmonton claimed Adam Pardy and Adam Cracknell off waivers.

Mike Brown was claimed off waivers by Montreal.

David Warsofsky was claimed off waivers by New Jersey.
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What are your thoughts from the weekend of trades and the NHL Trade Deadline? Who makes and who misses the postseason?

More to come…

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