Ramage, 26, was a fourth round pick of the Flames in 2010 and has been with the Blue Jackets since 2015-16. Ramage has appeared in just two career NHL games, but has collected nine points (2G / 7A) in 33 games with Cleveland (AHL) this season. He will report to Tucson (AHL).
Dauphin spent the first two seasons of his professional career in Arizona but spent the first three months of this season in the Blackhawks organization. Dauphin had four goals and 10 assists (14 points) in 33 games with the IceHogs and will likely report to Tucson (AHL).
Panik signed a big contract with the Blackhawks ($2.8M AAV) but has yet to replicate last year’s numbers. The 26-year-old winger showed he can put up solid numbers and will likely play a big role in Arizona. He heads to the desert with six goals and 10 assists (16 points) in 37 games this season.
Clendening was originally drafted by the Blackhawks in 2011 and played with the until the start of the 2014-15 season. The 25-year-old has two points in five games with the Coyotes this season and has picked up five points (1G / 4A) in 21 AHL contests.
Duclair reportedly asked to be dealt out of Arizona and they granted his wish. Duclair has nine goals and six assists (15 points) in 33 games with the Coyotes this season, but has yet to live up to expectations to this point in his career. Duclair is still young and could become a capable goal-scorer in this league and will look to start fresh in Chicago. The Blackhawks don’t have a lot depth on the wing, so Duclair could earn a sizeable role at some point.
Montoya has been sidelined for a lengthy period of time with a concussion but recently returned to practice. Acquiring Montoya means that the Oilers plan on sending Laurent Brossoit to Bakersfield (AHL) and use Montoya as Cam Talbot’s backup. Montoya has gone 2-1-0 with a 3.77 GAA and .863 SV% this season, but has a career .908 SV% in 160 NHL games.
Archibald was a sixth round pick in 2011 and has scored three goals in 14 career NHL games. The 25-year-old winger will report to the Coyotes.
Leighton moves to his fourth AHL team of the season as he will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). Leighton has started 14 AHL games this season, allowing a combined 38 goals on 289 shots (.869 SV%).
The Ducks have good D-depth but were extremely thin up front, so moving Vatanen helps balance things out for them. Vatanen, who missed the start of the season with a shoulder injury has picked up four points (1G / 3A) in 15 games. He will likely play a huge role on the Devils’ blueline, including likely anchoring their top power-play unit. He will no longer have to fight for PP time with Cam Fowler or Brandon Montour.
Blandisi was a sixth round pick (No.162 in 2012) but has turned into a quality pro forward since. Blandisi has picked up 26 points (8G / 18A)in 68 career NHL games with the Devils and should immediately report to the Ducks to help their forward depth. Blandisi has recorded three goals and 11 assists (14 points) in 19 games with Binghamton (AHL) this year.
The Ducks are extremely thin at centre with Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler both sidelined with injuries, so adding Henrique will help them down the middle immediately. Henrique is two years removed from 30 goals and 20 assists (50 points) and has registered four goals and 10 assists (14 points) in 24 games this season. He was averaging 18:15 TOI/GM with the Devils and could see even more playing time in Anaheim while Getzlaf and Kesler are out. He is an interesting waiver add as he should see top line minutes alongside Corey Perry and should see plenty of PP time as well.
Jokinen struggled to get on his feet in Edmonton, collecting just one assist in 14 games with the Oilers. Jokinen is a smart player, but played a slow game that didn’t quite fit the Oilers scheme. The Kings play a much more up-tempo style than they have in years past, so it might not be a great fit in L.A. either, but Jokinen brings versatility and playmaking ability to the Kings bottom-6 and has the ability to work his way up the depth chart.
Cammalleri has registered three goals and four assists (seven points) in 15 games with the Kings this season. Jokinen never seemed to be a fit in Edmonton, so they get another veteran forward with offensive instincts. Cammalleri has put up solid numbers, even late in his career, but injuries have been an issue for him. The move should help both the Oilers scoring issues a little bit and gives Cammalleri a small fantasy boost.
Leighton is a veteran netminder who has spent the large majority of his recent years in the AHL. Last year he was excellent as a member of the Hurricanes organization, but has gone 3-3-2 with a 3.03 GAA and .868 SV% in nine starts with Syracuse (AHL).
McGinn, 27, was a fourth round pick way back in 2010, and has appeared in just 89 career NHL games. McGinn was with the Coyotes organization back in 2014-15, but has been with the Lightning for the last three years—he has two goals and three assists (five points) in 11 games this season.
Domingue started the season as the Coyotes’ No.2 netminder but went 0-6-0 with a 4.33 GAA and .856 SV% in seven games and the Coyotes went out and got Scott Wedgewood and sent Domingue to Tucson (AHL). He goes to Tampa Bay, where he will likely start with Syracuse, but could work his way to the NHL if Peter Budaj struggles.
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.