NHL Hockey Player News
MacDermid had two goals, two assists, 46 hits and 35 blocked shots in 28 games with the Kings. MacDermid was selected by Seattle in the Expansion Draft but will go to Colorado for the 2021-22 season. Given the Avalanche's depth on defence, MacDermid will likely serve as a reserve.
The Golden Knights needed to clear some salary space ahead of Wednesday's free agency, so they gave up the reigning Vezina Trophy Winner for nothing but $7.0M in cap space. The last goalie to be traded the year after winning the Vezina Trophy was Dominik Hasek, who was traded to Detroit 20 years ago. Fleury will reportedly discuss his future with his family and could retire, one season after going 26-10-0 with a 1.98 GAA, .928 SV% and six shutouts.
Dillon, who is 30-years-old, has three years left on a contract that carries a $3.9M AAV cap-hit. Dillon is a huge (6-foot-4, 225 lbs.) defenseman who brings a rugged style to the Jets' blueline that they were missing in 2020-21. Dillon ranked eighth among defensemen in hits (143) but is also capable of chipping in offensively, averaging three goals and 19 assists (22 points) per 82 games over the last four seasons. He'll likely eat up the minutes left by Derek Forbort (17:57 TOI/gm).
Kolyachonok was a second-round pick (No.52 overall) in 2019and split his 2021 campaign between the KHL and AHL. He started the year with Minsk (KHL) and collected six points (1G / 5A) in 46 games before returning to Syracuse (AHL). He had two assists in 10 AHL games and will likely report to the Coyotes AHL affiliate to start the 2021-22 season.
Stralman has one-year left at $5.5M AAV and moving him frees up space that the Panthers will use to re-sign Sam Reinhart. Stralman will join Jakob Chychrun, Ilya Lyubushkin and Shayne Gostisbehere as the only NHL regulars on the Coyotes' blueline right now.
Merkley was originally a first-round pick of the Coyotes but was traded to the Devils as a part of the Taylor Hall trade in 2019. The 24-year-old winger had 10 points (2G / 8A) in 27 games with New Jersey and added three points (1G / 2A) in five AHL games a year ago. In San Jose, he should be a candidate to play in their bottom-6 to begin 2021-22.
This is the second time in seventh months that Jaros has been traded. After moving from Ottawa to San Jose, Jatos had one assist in seven games with the Sharks and three assists in 11 AHL games. In New Jersey, he will likely report to the AHL to start 2021-22.
Imama was originally a sixth-round pick of the Lightning in 2015 but was traded to the Kings before he turned pro. The 24-year-old winger spent all of 2021 in the AHL, where he had nine goals and five assists (14 points) in 31 games for Ontario (AHL). He'll likely report to Tucson (AHL) to start 2021.
Hults was a fifth-round pick in 2017 and turned pro in 2021 after three years at Penn State University. Hults had five points (1G / 4A) in 19 games with Ontario (AHL) last year and will likely report to Tucson (AHL) to start 2021-22.
Steenbergen was a fifth-round pick of the Coyotes in 2017. The 23-year-old centre has spent the last three seasons in Tucson (AHL), where he had 13 points (10G / 3A) in 36 games a year ago. Steenbergen will likely report to Ontario (AHL) to start 2021-22.
NHL Trade Tracker
NHL Trade Rules
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NHL Trade Deadline
Understanding the Strategy Behind NHL Trades
How NHL Trades Impact Sports Betting
NHL Trades FAQs
NHL trades are decided between two or more team general managers. The front office’s job is building a winning team. Building a winning team means discussing trades with other general managers across the league.
During the NHL regular season, players can be traded up until the trade deadline. The deadline is the official cutoff point for when teams can no longer make moves between each other. Players can also be traded throughout the offseason.
Teams trade players in hockey for a variety of reasons, but generally, it is done to find success, whether that is in the short term or long term. Teams may trade their top players in search of draft picks if they are undergoing a rebuild, whereas contending teams may look to acquire talent to boost their playoff chances.
Trades are a common occurrence throughout the NHL and happen often. Some years feature less trades than others, it all depends on each teams needs and the availability of attractive talent.