Evan’s NHL Daily: Newhook Traded to Montreal, Dubois Lands in LA

Last year, NHL teams waited until draft day to start making trades. The madness began a day early this year.

It all started with the Colorado Avalanche moving Alex Newhook for draft picks, a trade that has to be a precursor to another move…right?

Later in the day, the big deal that everyone knew was coming finally happened, as Pierre-Luc Dubois signed an extension and was immediately sent to the Los Angeles Kings.

All that and more in this Draft Day edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

Moving Alex Newhook was not a surprise. Moving him for draft picks kind of was, but the young forward now gets a fresh start in Montreal.

I broke down the trade, but can you really give this move a grade until we see what the Avalanche do with those draft picks? I don’t think so, because I’ll be surprised if they keep both of them. You can read the trade analysis here.

It was schedule release day as well, so just a wild day overall.

CHL Scout Ash Glover steps in with six defensemen that could be big pickups for the Avalanche late in the draft. Read (and watch!) here.

When the Avalanche acquired a second 1st round pick, I received a message from a scout on a player to keep an eye on, as teams with two second round picks tend to swing a little bit more. (+)

NHL Trades

It’s been rumored for a while now, but on Tuesday, the trade was completed. Pierre-Luc Dubois is now a member of the Los Angeles Kings, and he’s got a shiny new 8-year contract as well. The Kings are now 3 deep down the middle, assuming they don’t move any of them to the wing, and are built to win right now…assuming they can find a goaltender. I know Avalanche fans will be unhappy they couldn’t get Dubois, but the Jets were asking for NHL forwards back. The Avalanche barely have any NHL forward on their roster at the moment, so I’m not sure they had the trade capital to make a deal.

How does this impact the Kings roster?

Another team in the West added a big forward, as the Philadelphia Flyers gave away Kevin Hayes to the St. Louis Blues.

Oh, but the NHL was not content with three trades on the day. In the early evening, the Devils moved Yegor Sharangovich out West. Unfortunately, they didn’t send him to the Avalanche, but rather the Flames. In return, they picked up Tyler Toffoli, as they look to go for a run this coming season.

From the Flames perspective, they find the return…underwhelming.

That was all for the day, but we know more is coming.

National Hockey Now

Boston: The Bruins are heading into free agency with the expectation that both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are retiring.

San Jose: Draft day is huge for the Sharks, and GM Mike Grier talked about what they’ll do, as well as a potential Erik Karlsson trade.

Montreal: If you’re looking for the Canadiens perspective on the Newhook trade, you can find it here.

Nashville: The Predators signed a young defenseman to a contract, one that Barry Trotz loves.

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