Evan’s NHL Daily: Western Conference Bloodbath, Busy Avalanche

Wednesday went from being your normal Colorado Avalanche gameday to being the busiest day of the NHL season…so far. I think I spent more time in a room with Jared Bednar than I did my own wife, as I was sitting at Ball Arena most of the day. Chris MacFarland made two big trades in a span of 30 minutes, which took the NHL by storm. Later in the day, the Vegas Golden Knights, who are always aggressive, responded with a move of their own, but are either team actually done?

On the ice, Colorado responded with a beatdown of the Detroit Red Wings, and the big guns looked as dominant as they have in any game this season.

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

Colorado Hockey Now

It started with a move to acquire Sean Walker, but the important piece in this move is that the Avalanche got out of Ryan Johansen‘s contract.

The next domino fell soon after, as Bowen Byram was dealt to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt.

I spoke to a scout soon after about Sean Walker, and they couldn’t say enough good things about him. (+)

Before the game, Chris MacFarland spoke to the media about the moves he made, and what might still be coming.

After all of that, a game still had to be played, and Cale Makar scored his first career hat trick to lead the Avalanche to victory.

Jared Bednar spoke to the media about the win and the trades from earlier in the day, while Jean Luc-Foudy talked about his first NHL goal.

The content won’t stop today. That same scout talked to me about Mittelstadt, and that will be up on CHN+ later today. In addition, analysis of the two moves, and both new additions will be speaking to the media.

Big Trade Day In NHL

Wednesday wasn’t the NHL Trade Deadline, but it sure felt like it.

It was such a long day that I had almost completely forgotten about the first trade, which happened before morning skate even began in Colorado. Vladimir Tarasenko used the power of his no-trade clause to get to Florida for very little, and is now a member of the Panthers.

Next up was the Avalanche making their moves, but at around the same time, Edmonton picked up veterans Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick from the Ducks for draft picks.

About an hour later, Alex Wennberg was allowed to leave his hotel room, as he’s headed to New York to play for the Rangers. That return was a second and a fourth.

The next big move came late at night, as Vegas, who seemingly has unlimited cap space and assets, acquired Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames for a package that appears to be…underwhelming? I’m really not quite sure what the Flames are doing right now, but with all the assets they had to move, it doesn’t seem like they got as much as they should have.

So Vegas has added Hanifin and Mantha. Edmonton has added Henrique and Carrick. Vancouver has added Lindholm and Zadorov, and are rumored to be after Guentzel (which may cost them Lindholm). Then you have Winnipeg getting Monahan, and Dallas getting Tanev.

We all saw what the Avalanche did, and there’s still a little over 24 hours until the NHL trade deadline. Are these teams done? Even if they aren’t, the Western Conference is going to be an absolute bloodbath. Only one team can survive. Who will it be?

National Hockey Now

The Pittsburgh Penguins were hoping to move Jake Guentzel by Wednesday night. That didn’t happen. What’s going on?

Anthony Duclair is expecting a trade. Not exactly going out on a limb there.

He’s a consistent goal scorer in the NHL, so it’s no surprise people would want Tyler Toffoli.