Evan’s NHL Daily: Trade Market Takes Off; More Big Moves To Come

It would appear that every other team in the NHL is either tired of waiting for the Stanley Cup Final to end, or they just don’t care anymore, because it was almost like Wednesday was an unofficial trade deadline for a lot of them. Three trades on a Wednesday isn’t unheard of in June, but it is a little strange when you consider the NHL likes to keep the focus on the final. You can only do that for so long when you keep dragging it out and have big events like the draft and free agency approaching.

Two goaltenders were dealt, with one of them setting the market for other starters in the league. The other just looked like two teams swapping two contracts they regret handing out. In addition to the trades, you had the Sharks doing the Rangers a favor, taking Barclay Goodrow for free, although it sounds like the player might not be too happy about that one.

A chaotic Wednesday in the NHL. Is there more to come on Thursday?

Colorado Hockey Now

The two of them have never gotten to compete together in a best-on-best situation on the international stage. That’s why Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby are so excited for the next few years.

He helped the Avalanche win a Stanley Cup, but since then, it’s been a rough ride. He’s now back in the Western Conference with another chance at a starters job, so Colorado will probably see a bit more of Darcy Kuemper.

News, Trades, And Rumors

New Jersey Hockey Now: It’s been rumored for weeks, and it’s finally done. If I’m being honest, the return the Flames got isn’t bad, but it’s a little underwhelming when you consider they held off on dealing him for a few months. The Devils finally got their guy in Jacob Markstrom.

The Flames could have accepted a deal at the deadline and probably gotten a 2024 pick. Now, they’re getting a lottery protected 2025 pick that might even become a 2026 pick. That won’t help them until 2028 or 2029. Just feels like they waited a little too long on this one.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks wanted a veteran, but they couldn’t trade for him because they were on his no-trade list. That makes things a little complicated with Barclay Goodrow.

Not sure what good it does you if you acquire a veteran to help lead some young players when that veteran doesn’t really want to be there.

That wasn’t the only move San Jose made, picking up a former first round pick who can play in the NHL in Ty Dellandrea. (+)

Boston Hockey Now: So what more is to come? There’s one goaltender that every NHL team may turn their attention to, and that’s Linus Ullmark.

Ullmark is a little different in that he has one year left on his deal, but that might make him more appealing to teams that want that flexibility. Are the Avalanche one of them?

TSN: So he’s been traded again. At 26, Pierre-Luc Dubois is on his fourth NHL team. That’s got to mean he’s kind of the problem, right?

Philly Hockey Now: It’s pretty vague, but there might be another trade on the horizon. This one might not be completed until the NHL Draft, though. Philadelphia and the Senators have the framework of a deal done. Who might be involved?

The big fish on the NHL trade market is probably still Martin Necas. He’s young, fast, and skilled. The Hurricanes haven’t quite gotten an offer they love yet, though.

Word is the Hurricanes at this point in the process have received concrete trade offers for Martin Necas but nothing yet they would say yes to … should continue to heat up next week at the draft in Las Vegas

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 19, 2024

Florida Hockey Now: Oh yeah, there’s still hockey to be played. The Panthers still have the lead in the series, but make no mistake: It’s the Connor McDavid show now.