Author Archives: Clarke Corsan

NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Columbus Blue Jackets

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Nov 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images | Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

The Columbus Blue Jackets entered the trade deadline with a clear vision: tweak the roster without disrupting team chemistry. GM Don Waddell made it clear he wasn’t going to offload key players for future assets, instead opting to bolster the bottom six with two sturdy, reliable forwards. No blockbuster deals here, but a couple of small moves that could help in the short term while keeping the team’s long-term vision intact.

https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL/status/1898169000799903756

What the Blue Jackets Gave Up:

  • 2025 fourth-round pick (originally from St. Louis)

What the Blue Jackets Acquired:

  • Luke Kunin – A versatile forward who can play center or wing, kill penalties, and bring an edge to the bottom six.
  • Christian Fischer – Claimed off waivers from Detroit, Fischer is a hard-nosed winger with over 500 games of NHL experience who provides energy and depth.

The Verdict:

If you were expecting fireworks, you probably came away disappointed. But if you understood Waddell’s strategy, this deadline played out exactly as planned. With the Blue Jackets surprisingly hanging in the playoff race, the front office felt it was important to reward the team’s effort by adding reinforcements rather than stripping things down.

Columbus GM Don Waddell addressing media (Photo credit: Mark Scheig, the Hockey Writers)

Kunin and Fischer aren’t game-changers, but they are exactly the type of players you want in your bottom six when you’re trying to outwork teams down the stretch. Kunin’s ability to play multiple forward positions makes him a coach’s dream, and Fischer’s size and experience will be valuable in tight-checking games.

One of the biggest storylines leading up to the deadline was the future of defenseman Ivan Provorov. Waddell made it clear he wasn’t going to trade him, signaling that Columbus is serious about maintaining a competitive roster. That decision could pay off, as keeping Provorov sends a message that the Blue Jackets aren’t just a stepping stone for players but a franchise committed to stability.

Ivan Provorov will remain with the Blue Jackets the rest of this season. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Another under-the-radar aspect of the deadline was Columbus’ attempts to act as a third-party broker in salary cap transactions. Waddell admitted they had multiple deals lined up that fell through at the last minute. Had those gone through, they likely would have added extra draft capital.

The biggest moves for Columbus might still be ahead. Waddell hinted that the groundwork for future trades was laid during these deadline discussions, meaning the summer could bring bigger changes. For now, the Blue Jackets made marginal improvements without mortgaging the future.

Final Grade: B – Nothing flashy, but solid depth additions while keeping the core intact. Columbus played it safe, but sometimes that’s the right call.

NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Colorado Avalanche

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The Colorado Avalanche took a bold approach at the trade deadline, reshaping their roster in a way rarely seen from a Stanley Cup contender and truly, they brought in a damn HAUL.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during a stoppage of play. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Moving on from franchise cornerstone Mikko Rantanen was a massive gamble, but GM Chris MacFarland was determined to maximize depth and balance across all positions. While losing Rantanen’s scoring punch won’t be easy to replace, the Avs are fully committed to making a deep playoff run with a more well-rounded roster. It could be argued that the Avalanche’s most recent playoff run fell short because of a lack of depth, and these moves address that.

What the Avalanche Gave Up:

  • Mikko Rantanen (to Dallas for Logan Stankoven and draft picks)
  • Casey Mittelstadt (to Buffalo for Juuso Parssinen and picks)
  • Oliver Kylington, Calvin de Haan, Givani Smith (various trades)

What the Avalanche Acquired:

  • Brock Nelson – A proven 20+ goal scorer who strengthens the center depth.
  • Charlie Coyle – A big-bodied two-way forward built for playoff hockey.
  • Ryan Lindgren – A shot-blocking machine and rugged blueliner who brings defensive grit.
  • Erik Johnson – A familiar face and stabilizing veteran presence who knows what it takes to win in Colorado.
  • Logan Stankoven – A high-upside prospect with strong offensive instincts who could be a future top-six forward.
  • Jimmy Vesey – A versatile forward who adds depth across multiple roles.
  • Multiple draft picks – Including a first-rounder and multiple second-rounders.

Image courtesy of Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The Verdict:

Losing Rantanen is undeniably a tough pill to swallow. He was a core part of Colorado’s offense, and his chemistry with Nathan MacKinnon was irreplaceable. However, MacFarland and President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic clearly saw an opportunity to spread the wealth and build a team that can outlast and outmuscle opponents in a grueling playoff run.

Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle make Colorado the strongest it’s been up the middle since losing Nazem Kadri, giving them depth, experience, and physicality. Ryan Lindgren and Erik Johnson bring grit and reliability to the defense, while Stankoven could emerge as an exciting offensive weapon down the line. MacFarland is betting that this deeper, tougher, and more balanced roster will be harder to shut down in the postseason.

https://twitter.com/Avalanche/status/1898830643028689388

The big question remains: will they have enough elite scoring to compensate for Rantanen’s departure? If Necas and Stankoven can step up offensively, this could go down as a masterclass in roster building. If not, the Avs might regret breaking up their dominant one-two punch of MacKinnon and Rantanen.

Final Grade: A- – Losing Rantanen hurts, but the Avalanche got deeper, stronger, and more playoff-ready. This team is built for a long postseason run.

NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Chicago Blackhawks

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The Blackhawks entered the trade deadline with a clear objective: move out veterans, bring in young talent, and set the stage for the future. Mission accomplished—sort of.

Spencer Knight, shown here in this first game as a Chicago Blackhawk. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

GM Kyle Davidson wasn’t the busiest man in the NHL, but he made smart, calculated moves to continue the team’s rebuild. The biggest headline? Moving Seth Jones, which not only freed up cap space but also landed Chicago a potential franchise goaltender.

What the Blackhawks Gave Up:

  • Seth Jones (to Florida for Spencer Knight and assets)
  • Petr Mrazek & Craig Smith (to Detroit for Joe Veleno)

Veteran Petr Mrazek was told by the Chicago Blackhawks he was being taken out of the goaltending rotation. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

What the Blackhawks Acquired:

  • Spencer Knight – A former first-round pick who could be the team’s long-term solution in net.
  • Joe Veleno – A young, speedy forward who gets a fresh start after falling out of favor in Detroit.
  • Future cap flexibility – Shedding Jones’ contract opens up options for free agency and future trades.

The Verdict:

The addition of Spencer Knight is a major win. The 23-year-old netminder arrived in Chicago and immediately impressed, posting a .976 save percentage in his debut. If he lives up to his potential, the Blackhawks just secured a key piece of their rebuild.

Moving Mrazek and Smith was expected, but getting Veleno in return is a solid gamble. He hasn’t quite found his NHL footing, but with more ice time and a fresh start, he could develop into a useful piece for Chicago.

One surprise? Ryan Donato stayed put. Many expected him to be moved, but the Blackhawks opted to hold onto him, possibly with an extension in mind. His work ethic and leadership could make him a valuable presence for this young team.

Davidson didn’t make a blockbuster move, but that was never the plan. This deadline was about setting up the future while keeping the rebuild on track. The true test comes this summer, when the Blackhawks will have cap space and assets to work with.

Final Grade: B – A steady, smart deadline that didn’t shake the world but kept the long-term vision intact.

NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Carolina Hurricanes

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Well, that didn’t go as planned.

Mikko Rantanen as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes © Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images

The Carolina Hurricanes entered the 2025 trade deadline swinging for the fences, but instead of a home run, they ended up with a blooper single and some serious buyer’s remorse. What started as an ambitious push for Mikko Rantanen turned into an awkward breakup, leaving the Canes scrambling for Plan B. The result? A trade deadline that feels like a step backward rather than forward.

https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1898775979192901638

What the Hurricanes Gave Up:

  • Martin Necas & Jack Drury (to Colorado for Taylor Hall and draft picks)
  • Mikko Rantanen (rented for two months, then flipped to Dallas for Logan Stankoven and four draft picks)

What the Hurricanes Acquired:

  • Taylor Hall – A former MVP with a high ceiling, but also an injury history and no long-term guarantee.
  • Logan Stankoven – A solid young forward, but not the impact player Necas was.
  • Two first-round picks & two third-round picks – Future assets, but nothing that helps right now.

The Verdict:

Let’s be clear: trading for Rantanen, failing to extend him, and then flipping him away is a bad look. Carolina has a habit of bringing in high-end talent but struggling to get them to stick around.

Losing Necas hurts, and while Stankoven has potential, he’s not replacing that offensive production right away. Hall brings some upside, but he’s far from a sure thing and doesn’t fix Carolina’s power-play woes. The only silver lining is if Carolina knew they weren’t going to be able to re-sign Necas, ending up with a couple first-rounders and Stankoven definitely helps ease the blow. Rantanen can be a real game-changer so for him to ultimately not work out and help the Canes contend now is a major disappointment, any way you slice it.

The Canes are still playoff-bound, but they’ve gone from dark horse Cup favorites to underdogs. Now, they’re looking ahead to a massive summer, armed with cap space and trade capital. General manager Eric Tulsky will need to nail his offseason moves to justify this deadline strategy.

Final Grade: D – Carolina swung big, whiffed, and now has to regroup. The future might be bright, but the present just got a whole lot murkier.

Alexander Nikishin, SKA Saint Petersburg (Photo credit: HC SKA)

 

NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Calgary Flames

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Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Remember last year when the Calgary Flames were the talk of the NHL trade deadline? Yeah, those days are over. This time around, general manager Craig Conroy and the Flames were the human embodiment of a shrug emoji. Zero trades. Nada. A big ol’ goose egg.

Now, to be fair, Conroy did his work early. The Flames already made their splash back in January when they sent Noah Hanifin to Philadelphia in exchange for Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. That move aligned with Conroy’s vision: bring in “age-appropriate” talent to help the team both now and in the future. So when the trade deadline rolled around, the Flames sat back and watched the chaos unfold around them.

https://twitter.com/JamesJohnsonYYC/status/1897377408468312529

What the Flames Did:

  • Assigned Adam Klapka and Ilya Solovyov to the AHL to keep them eligible for the Calder Cup Playoffs.

That’s it. That’s the list.

Why the Flames Stood Still:

Sitting at 29-23-10 and clinging to the final Western Conference wild card spot, Calgary was in a weird spot. They weren’t full-fledged buyers, but they weren’t selling off pieces either. Conroy made it clear he wasn’t interested in short-term rentals, and no “hockey trades” materialized.

“If you’re just jetting guys out of here, that sends the wrong message to the team,” Conroy said. “Everybody loves draft picks, but they’re not helping you today.”

Instead, the Flames are rolling with what they’ve got, banking on their young core—guys like Connor Zary, Matt Coronato, and Dustin Wolf—to keep developing.

The Verdict:

Honestly, it’s tough to grade a team that didn’t do anything. But in some ways, standing pat was the right move. The Flames aren’t in a position to push all-in, nor did they need to strip things down further. Instead, they’re betting on internal growth and looking ahead to what could be a more active summer.

With 20 games to go, Calgary’s fate is in their own hands. Maybe this team sneaks into the playoffs, maybe they don’t. Either way, Conroy made one thing clear: he’s not rushing this rebuild, and he’s not making moves just for the sake of it.

Final Grade: C+ – No moves, no chaos, no real impact. But in this case, maybe that’s not the worst thing.

NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Buffalo Sabres

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Sabres’ GM Kevyn Adams discusses trade deadline with media | Getty Images

For the second straight season, the Buffalo Sabres have been a disappointment. This team was supposed to take the next step, but instead, they found themselves in the same familiar position—on the outside looking in. So, general manager Kevyn Adams decided it was time to shake things up. And shake things up he did.

Instead of hoarding picks and prospects, Adams made it clear that the Sabres were hunting for a hockey trade. No rebuild, no selling for futures—Buffalo wanted impact players now. Enter Josh Norris, a legitimate top-six center who has already hit the 20-goal mark twice in his young career.

Josh Norris, who was traded to the Sabres, can be a prolific scorer when he’s healthy. (Chris Tanouye / Freestyle Photography / Getty Images)

What the Sabres Gave Up:

  • Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, 2026 second-round pick (to Ottawa for Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker)
  • Nicolas Aube-Kubel (to the Rangers for Erik Brannstrom)

https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1898508863822827897

What the Sabres Acquired:

  • Josh Norris – A proven goal scorer who brings a strong two-way game, faceoff skills, and special teams ability. When healthy, he’s a top-tier center.
  • Jacob Bernard-Docker – A 23-year-old depth defenseman with some upside but not a guaranteed NHL regular.
  • Erik Brannstrom – A former first-round pick with offensive potential who will report to the AHL’s Rochester Americans.

The Verdict:

The Sabres desperately needed a change, and this deadline was a clear indication that Adams is done waiting around for his current core to figure it out. Trading Cozens stings—he was once considered a franchise pillar—but the reality is, he wasn’t living up to expectations. Norris, when healthy, is simply a better player right now. That’s a win.

However, health is the key word here. Norris has struggled with shoulder issues, missing significant time in the past two seasons. If he stays on the ice, this deal looks great. If not, the Sabres just bet big on a player with durability concerns.

The Brannstrom deal? More of a lottery ticket than anything else. He was once a highly touted prospect but hasn’t found his footing in the NHL. Maybe a fresh start helps, maybe it doesn’t. Either way, it’s a low-risk move.

Buffalo didn’t get drastically better overnight, but this was a step in the right direction. Adams is tweaking the mix, and this summer will be huge in determining if this team finally takes the leap.

Final Grade: B – A solid deadline with a bold move, but some risk involved.

NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Boston Bruins

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Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand plays during an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum/AP)

The Boston Bruins finally accepted reality at the trade deadline: It’s time for a reset. After years of pushing their chips in to stay competitive, the Bruins were sellers for the first time in a decade—and boy, did they sell.

Gone are team captain Brad Marchand, longtime center Charlie Coyle, and defenseman Brandon Carlo. In all, the Bruins made seven trades, completely reshaping their roster and, in some cases, their identity. Whether this rapid-fire dismantling pays off remains to be seen, but general manager Don Sweeney and team president Cam Neely certainly committed to the cause. This deadline saw the final member of the Bruins’ 2011 Championship winning team (Marchand) depart, truly marking the end of an era and the start of another.

What the Bruins Gave Up:

  • Brad Marchand (to Florida for a conditional 2027 second-round pick, could become a first)
  • Charlie Coyle (to Colorado for Casey Mittelstadt, Will Zellers, and a 2025 second-round pick)
  • Brandon Carlo (to Toronto for Fraser Minten, a top-five protected 2026 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick)
  • Trent Frederic & Max Jones (to Edmonton for Max Wanner, St. Louis’ 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick)
  • Justin Brazeau (to Minnesota for Jakub Lauko, Marat Khusnutdinov, and a 2026 sixth-round pick)
  • Marc McLaughlin (to New Jersey for defenseman Daniil Misyul)
  • 2025 fourth-round pick (from Edmonton) (sent to Buffalo for defenseman Henri Jokiharju)

What the Bruins Acquired:

  • Casey Mittelstadt – A skilled center who provides an offensive boost but lacks Coyle’s physicality.
  • Fraser Minten – One of Toronto’s top forward prospects with solid two-way potential.
  • Will Zellers – A USHL forward committed to North Dakota, years away from the NHL.
  • Henri Jokiharju – A depth defenseman who helps stabilize the blue line.
  • Max Wanner & Daniil Misyul – Two young defensemen who provide long-term depth.
  • Multiple draft picks, including a 2026 first-rounder and multiple second-rounders.

The Verdict:

The Bruins committed to change, shedding veterans and acquiring young talent and future picks. The biggest disappointment? The underwhelming return for Marchand, a franchise legend, though if he and the team were too far apart on contract talks, recouping assets is generally a good business move. Still, a conditional second-round pick (even if it turns into a first) feels like a lowball deal, especially for a player who embodies Boston hockey.

On the bright side, Mittelstadt is a promising addition, and Fraser Minten could develop into a reliable two-way center. But the Bruins now face a challenging road ahead, with a younger, less experienced core and a lot of unknowns.

Casey Mittelstadt (© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

Final Grade: B+ – The Bruins made necessary moves but didn’t maximize every return. Now, they need these picks and prospects to pan out.

NHL Trade Deadline Grades: Anaheim Ducks

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Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks takes a shot past the stick of Erik Gustafsson of the Detroit Red Wings. Getty Images

The Anaheim Ducks weren’t expected to be major players at the NHL trade deadline, and general manager Pat Verbeek stayed true to that forecast. With the team still emerging from its rebuild and aiming to take steps toward contention, the Ducks opted for a quiet and calculated approach, making just one notable move.

The biggest deal of the deadline for Anaheim was shipping veteran defenseman Brian Dumoulin to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a second-round pick and forward prospect Herman Träff. It was a solid return, though some might argue the Ducks could’ve squeezed out a bit more in a seller’s market. Still, adding another draft pick and a young, intriguing forward fits with Anaheim’s long-term vision.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the deadline was whether the Ducks would entertain offers for long-time goaltender John Gibson or forward Trevor Zegras. But as expected, neither player was moved. Despite trade speculation, both still figure into Anaheim’s future plans, and their presence will be important as the young core continues to develop under head coach Greg Cronin.

Verbeek made it clear that he wants to let the team’s young players take the reins, particularly on the blue line. Moving Dumoulin opens up a permanent spot for promising 21-year-old defensemen Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger, both of whom have had to fight for playing time this season. Verbeek also added depth with the acquisition of Oliver Kylington, who will serve as a reliable seventh defenseman.

While the Ducks currently sit outside the playoff picture, they aren’t that far off. Verbeek spoke about the importance of giving his young team a chance to compete in meaningful games, as Anaheim is still within striking distance of the Western Conference wild card race.

“We talked about having meaningful games,” Verbeek said. “And being in this spot, fighting for a playoff spot, here we are. We’re seven points out, and we’ve got the teams that we’re gonna play, that we’re fighting to climb over.”

The real excitement for Anaheim likely comes this offseason, when Verbeek will have significant cap space to work with. With the foundation set, the Ducks can shift from passive sellers to active buyers in the coming months.

For now, though, Anaheim’s deadline was about patience, development, and keeping an eye on the bigger picture- which can be difficult to do as a fanbase of a team that has been pretty bad for a while- but it’s the correct approach in this case.

Official grade: B

Angel Reese’s WNBA Pay Threat: A Bold Move, But Will It Work?

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Getty Images

Look, I really don’t have much skin in the game so to talk about Angel Reese wasn’t on today’s plans. I promise. I don’t mind Angel, in fact, her presence and rivalry with Caitlin Clark has so far been a spectacle not to be missed in the WNBA world.

That being said, she does have her moments. On the court? Absolute rebounding machine. Off the court? Sometimes a little… let’s just say, ambitious. And this is definitely one of those times.

Earlier this week, on her podcast, Reese made a bold declaration: If the WNBA doesn’t start paying its players more, she’s sitting out.

https://twitter.com/CourtsideBuzzX/status/1898230819782549541

And, look, I respect the hustle. I really do. But I’m just not sure the WNBA is shaking in its sneakers over this one… yet.

Let’s be real—WNBA ratings are up, but it’s not because of Angel Reese. You know it. I know it. The WNBA knows it. Even Angel probably knows it. She’s a solid player and a great personality, but she’s not Caitlin Clark. And before you start shouting “RACISM!”—just stop. Take a deep breath. It’s not that. It’s simple math.

Clark changed the game last year. She brought in the casuals. She got middle-aged dads from Iowa—who still watch every MLB game like it’s the 1970s—tuning in to the WNBA. The data doesn’t lie. Clark’s games were the highest-rated WNBA broadcasts by a mile. Literally, a mile.

https://twitter.com/PitmasterMark69/status/1898477237252354415

So, respectfully, if Angel Reese threatens to sit out, does that really change anything? Are YOU going to boycott the WNBA because Angel Reese is on strike? Be honest.

https://twitter.com/BricksCenter/status/1898252194467791266

Now, if Caitlin Clark issued the same threat? Whole different story. That’s when the WNBA’s front office might start sweating. She pulled 1.2 million viewers to a Fever-Mercury game last year… on ION. Yes, ION. Do you even know what channel that is? Didn’t think so. But over a million people figured it out because Clark was playing. That’s leverage. That’s a bargaining chip.

I’m all for athletes getting paid what they deserve. But if you’re gonna make a power move, you need the numbers to back it up. And right now, I’m just not sure Angel Reese has them.

Carson Soucy Traded to Rangers from Canucks

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Photo credit: © Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

The Vancouver Canucks have traded defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Rangers in exchange for a third-round pick, according to multiple reports. The pick, originally acquired by the Rangers from the San Jose Sharks earlier on Thursday, will now be part of Vancouver’s growing collection of draft assets.

Soucy, who had to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate the move, is signed through next season with a $3.25 million cap hit. The Canucks originally brought him in on a three-year deal in 2023, and while his first season in Vancouver was largely successful, his performance has dipped this year. He has found himself relegated to the third defensive pairing following the acquisition of Marcus Pettersson and was even a healthy scratch after the 4 Nations break.

The trade didn’t come as a shock, as the Canucks had made it clear that Soucy was available. According to insider Frank Seravalli, Vancouver sent out a memo to all 31 teams back in early February stating that Soucy was on the market. The 29-year-old defenseman had initially hoped to regain his form in Vancouver but ultimately recognized the writing on the wall.

With the Rangers pushing for a deep playoff run, adding a physical, depth defenseman like Soucy makes sense. He brings size and experience, and while his play has been inconsistent this season, a fresh start in New York could be just what he needs.

Canucks forward J.T. Miller reportedly called Soucy ahead of the trade to check in, a move that highlights the close-knit nature of the Vancouver locker room.

This marks Vancouver’s first major move of trade deadline week, and it may not be their last. With the Canucks looking to strengthen their roster for a playoff push while maintaining long-term flexibility, more moves could be on the horizon.

As for Soucy, he joins a Rangers squad with Stanley Cup aspirations. Whether he carves out a regular role in their defensive rotation remains to be seen, but he’ll have the opportunity to prove himself in a high-stakes environment as the postseason approaches.