NHL teams have been improving their rosters with trades in preparation for the playoffs starting May 2nd. With the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup two years in a row, other teams have been looking for a player that puts them over the top.
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Mark Giordano and forward Colin Blackwell from Seattle for a second-round pick in 2022 and 2023, and a third-round pick in 2024. Leafs General Manager, Kyle Dubas, thinks there is still a lot left in Giordano.
Giordano played 55 games for the Kraken recording six goals and 23 points. He says that he is excited to play for the Maple Leafs. “His ability to play against good players and play both special teams and be versatile was really important to us,” said Dubas in a press conference.
Blackwell played 39 games for the Kraken recording eight goals and 17 points. Dubas says he is most impressed about how hard he plays every single game. “Every single game was the thing that jumped out, especially when they moved him onto the penalty kill this year and he showed his value there,” said Dubas.
The Maple Leafs also gave away Travis Dermott to the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick. Dermott was drafted 34th overall by Toronto in 2015 and played a total of 273 games including regular season and postseason. He was not content with his playing time and he was not content with his performance either. Dermott played 43 games for the Maple Leafs with an average time of 14:43 with only five points.
Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers have acquired Claude Giroux from the Flyers for Owen Tippett, a 2023 third-round pick, and a first-round pick in 2024. Giroux has played his whole 15-year career in Philadelphia, playing 1000 games and tallying 900 points.
The Boston Bruins landed defenseman Hampus Lindholm from the Ducks for a 2022 first-round pick, a second-round pick in 2023 and 2024, and defenseman Urho Vaakanainen. In 61 games with the Ducks this season, Lindholm recorded five goals and 22 points.
The Minnesota Wild acquired goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury from the Blackhawks for a conditional first-round pick. In 45 starts with the Blackhawks this season, Fleury has a 2.95 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. “We didn’t feel there was anything out there that for the prices paid it was gonna make it worthwhile for us and salary wise,” said Dubas.
The Arizona Coyotes claimed goalie Harri Sateri off waivers. Sateri was signed as a free agent to join the Maple Leafs, but was re-claimed off of re-entry waivers by the Arizona Coyotes. Waivers is when a team makes a player’s contract available to all other NHL teams.
As of right now, the Maple Leafs have the sixth best odds at winning the Stanley Cup at +1200. Colorado is the top contender at +425.
The Leafs are currently third in the Atlantic Division with 89 points. “I think the way that we’ve played throughout the year gives me faith,” said Dubas.
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