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Is everyone still with us? All day up until 3 PM today it seemed like my phone was buzzing with alerts every five minutes. Over the course of the last three days, we saw the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. There are a lot of transactions that we have to go over here, so let's just get right into it. I'll only be going into detail on the big transactions of substance.
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Boston Bruins acquire defenseman Hampus Lindholm from Anaheim
It all started on Saturday, when the Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks struck a deal that would see veteran defenseman, Hampus Lindholm, go to Boston in exchange for defensemen John Moore, Urho Vaakanainen, a 2022 first-round pick, 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick.
Boston wasted no time in extending the Swedish defenseman to an 8-year, $52 million contract. Lindholm was set to hit unrestricted free-agency at the end of this season.
While Boston did give up a lot to get Lindholm, he is a solid veteran defenseman who will surely help Boston in their attempt to make a deep playoff run. Lindholm is no longer a rental after signing the 8-year extension, and now Boston has themselves a legitimate top-four defenseman on their roster for the next near decade.
Lindholm has yet to make his Bruins debut, as he did not suit up for Boston in their Monday night matchup against the Montreal Canadiens
Philadelphia Flyers trade Claude Giroux, prospects to the Florida Panthers
For a more in-depth analysis on the Claude Giroux trade, check out my article from a few days ago that lays it all out.
For those who just want the TLDC version, Giroux was the premiere piece on this year's trading block. The Florida Panthers were rumored to be the heavy favorite to land Giroux, and they did just that. But Giroux wasn't the only piece that Florida received in this blockbuster trade with Philadelphia, as the Flyers sent Giroux, prospects Connor Bunnaman and German Rubtsov, and a 2024 fifth-round pick to Florida in exchange for forward Owen Tippett, a 2024 or 2025 first-round pick, and a 2023 third-round pick.
Toronto Maple Leafs receive Mark Giordano, Colin Blackwell from Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken traded their captain, Mark Giordano, along with forward Colin Blackwell to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Giordano is in his age 38 season, although Father Time has not stopped him from being a strong presence on the blue line. Giordano is a solid add for Toronto, who looks to win their first playoff series since 2004 and first Stanley Cup since 1967. Colin Blackwell is a nice depth piece for Toronto to add as well.
Seattle will retain 50% of Giordano's contract, who is set to become an unrestricted free-agent at the end of the season. The Kraken received a 2022 second-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 third-round pick.
Chicago Blackhawks trade Marc-Andre Fleury to the Minnesota Wild
I'm going to have to say, I saw this one coming. Maybe not to Minnesota, but I had a definite feeling that Chicago would be shipping goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury, off at some point this season. And what did the Minnesota Wild give up in return for the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and future Hall of Famer? A 2022 first-round pick... yup, that's it.
Honestly, that's a steal for the Minnesota Wild. Given the fact that all Chicago had to surrender in order to get Fleury from the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021 was minor league prospect, Mikael Hakkarainen (who was a fifth-round pick in 2018) I'd say that the Blackhawks still upgraded, but I really feel like they could've asked for a little more.
Either way, I'm very happy for Fleury. He's out of that dumpster fire of an organization that is the Chicago Blackhawks, he's back on a playoff team and he's very excited to help the Minnesota Wild pursue their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
The Wild traded goaltender, Kaapo Kahkonen, to the San Jose Sharks in order to make room for Fleury on their roster.
Colorado Avalanche acquire Artturi Lehkonen from the Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens fire sale continues, as they send forward, Artturi Lehkonen, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for prospect, Justin Barron, and a 2024 second-round pick.
Barron was rumored to be the center piece in the Avalanche's offer to Philadelphia in exchange for Claude Giroux, so it's obvious that teams are high on the prospect going into the future.
The Colorado Avalanche are widely considered to be the best team in the NHL this year, so they were obviously looking to add depth anywhere they could. Lehkonen is a good acquisition for Colorado, as they hope to steamroll their way through the Western Conference into the Stanley Cup Final.
New York Rangers trade for Andrew Copp
Along with the Florida Panthers, the New York Rangers were quite possibly the second loudest team during this year's trade deadline. Perhaps the biggest move among them was their trade for Winnipeg Jets' forward, Andrew Copp. New York received Copp, and a 2023 sixth-round pick in exchange for defensive prospect, Morgan Barron, two conditional second-round picks in either 2022 or 2023, and a 2023 fifth-round pick.
Copp adds exactly what the Rangers need heading into the playoffs, a solid third line forward who can win faceoffs (an area in which New York has struggled) has playoff experience, is a great penalty killer and solid playmaker.
Pittsburgh Penguins receive Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks
In the final big trade of the day, just prior to the Monday afternoon 3 PM deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins sent forwards, Zach Aston-Reese, Dominik Simon and prospect Calle Clang, along with a 2022 second-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Rickard Rakell. The Ducks retain 35% of Rakell's salary.
Pittsburgh sent a haul to Anaheim in order to land Rakell, who will hit unrestricted free-agency this offseason, but on the flip side are receiving a guy who has finished top-three in scoring for the Ducks in each of the last four seasons. Rakell is a solid scorer, and will be immediately slotted into Pittsburgh's top-six, where he'll be playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
The Penguins were already a good team before today, and this addition just made them even better. The Eastern Conference is scary right now.
For the full list of the 2021-22 NHL trade deadline transactions, click here.