← The NHL Draft Comes Friday Night And Now We Wait →

The NHL draft, as I mentioned a couple days ago, is at it’s most interesting when there is a lot of dealing done outside of the selection process. Four teams made some big moves this weekend as the draft was ongoing.

Jordan Staal, perhaps forever destined to be a third line center with the Penguins as long as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were on the roster, turned down a 10 year deal and was subsequently traded for a pick and some prospects to join his brother Eric in Raleigh. He will be able to show his real skill with the Hurricanes, whereas he would forever be buried in Pittsburgh.

Then Saturday, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers matched up for a trade of top young skaters. James Van Riemsdyk was sent to Toronto while Luke Schenn was dealt to the Flyers. Both likely were in need of a change of pace, but also fit within the needs of the team. The Flyers bolstered their blue line, while Maple Leafs diversified their offense.

The Pens-’Canes trade was a boon for Jordan Staal. The Schenn-Van Riemsdyk move was really a win for everyone involved.

Ice Insiders Chris Berry Interactive Chris Berry Interactive