The Stanley Cup has been awarded to the Vegas Golden Knights and individual awards have been handed out, which means the NHL’s offseason is officially in full swing.
A flurry of trades came Tuesday on the eve of the NHL draft in Nashville, Tennessee, as teams look to retool — or entirely remake — their rosters ahead of the 2023-24 season. There’s sure to be even more wheeling and dealing on the two days of the draft.
Here’s a quick breakdown of all the big trades that have occurred since June 13 — the day the 2022-23 season came to a close — that will change the complexion of next NHL season:
Kings complete sign-and-trade with Jets for Pierre-Luc Dubois
The biggest trade of the offseason to date sees the Los Angeles Kings acquire former No. 3 overall pick Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets for forwards Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari, and a second-round pick in 2024. Dubois, a restricted free agent who told the Jets he wasn’t planning to re-sign, will be receiving an eight-year extension that carries an average annual value of $8.5 million.
Dubois, who was traded to Winnipeg in 2021 after he was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the third pick in 2016, had a career-high 63 points in 73 games last season. The Kings are clearly hoping he can help elevate an offense that finished ninth in goals last season and 20th in 2021-22 — campaigns that both ended in first-round playoff losses to Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.
In a June 24 trade, the Kings had offloaded defenseman Sean Durzi — who had one year remaining on his deal before he hit restricted few agency — to the Coyotes for a second-round pick.
Flyers trade Kevin Hayes to Blues
This deal was reportedly shaping up to be much bigger, but in the end the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers send Hayes to the St. Louis Blues for a sixth-round pick in 2024. Philadelphia also is retaining 50% of Hayes’ salary cap hit.
This feels like a nice bit of business for the Blues. Hayes, 31, is coming off a 54-point season that was one point shy of his career high and with the Flyers retaining, his cap hit is just over $3.5 million for the next three years.
Flames trade Tyler Toffoli to Devils
This trade is a sign the New Jersey Devils are interested in winning now. Toffoli, 31, was a bright spot for the Calgary Flames in what was otherwise a disappointing season, leading the team with career highs in goals (34) and points (73). The 2014 Stanley Cup champ figures to slot into the Devils’ top six and could set himself up to cash in one final time in his career as he becomes a UFA next summer. In the immediate, New Jersey has him on an extremely team-friendly $4.25 million cap hit.
The Flames, who acquired Toffoli in February 2022 for a package that included a first-round pick, get back forward Yegor Sharangovich and a third-round pick in this week’s draft. Sharangovich, 25, had 53 goals and 53 assists in three seasons with the Devils.
In a separate deal, the Devils sent goalie Mackenzie Blackwood to the San Jose Sharks for a sixth-round pick in this week’s draft. Blackwood spent five seasons with the Devils but struggled mightily the past two (.892 and .893 save percentages) and did not see the ice in the playoffs.
Avalanche trade for Ryan Johansen, ship out Alex Newhook for draft picks
The 2022 champs made a pair of intriguing moves this week as they eye another deep run following a disappointing exit in the first round of the playoffs.
First, they acquired longtime Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen for Alex Galchenyuk. Johansen, who turns 31 in July, is not quite the player he was at his peak, but he’s a great piece to have behind No. 1 center Nathan MacKinnon — especially because his cap hit is just $4 million after Nashville retained 50% of his deal.
Colorado then swung a deal with Montreal, sending RFA Alex Newhook to the Canadiens for the 31st (via Florida) and 37th picks in this week’s draft and defenseman Gianni Fairbrother. It’s an interesting gamble for both sides. The Habs are giving up a first round pick for a player with 66 points in 159 games; fine numbers, but certainly not a superstar output. The Avs, though, are shipping out one of their youngest regular contributors; Newhook was the 16th overall pick in 2019 and is still just 22. Could he develop into a top-of-the-lineup player? The answer to that trade could determine who “won” this trade down the line.
Bruins trade Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno to Blackhawks
The Boston Bruins sent Hall, a former league MVP and the first overall pick in 2010, and Foligno to Chicago for restricted free agents Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula in a move to shed salary. That’s the rebuilding Blackhawks’ gain, though. The talented Hall, 31, will likely skate with soon-to-be No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard. He’s got two more years left on his contract with a cap hit of $6 million per season — that makes him the highest-paid forward on the Blackhawks. Foligno, the 35-year-old former captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, will bring grit and needed leadership to the Blackhawks. He agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with Chicago after the trade.
Contributing: Associated Press
