Blue Line Station
Fansided

Revisiting those trade deadline deals

By Steve Paulus

OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 29: Derick Brassard #19 of the Ottawa Senators skates against Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 29, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - APRIL 29: Derick Brassard #19 of the Ottawa Senators skates against Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 29, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 16: Keith Yandle
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 16: Keith Yandle /

2014-15: Oh, so close

When Glen Sather pulled off his trade for Keith Yandle he was very pleased with himself.  Not only did he get one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL, he got the Coyotes to pay half of his salary.  Not only that, Yandle wasn’t a rental, he was going to be a Blueshirt at least for another full season.

Many considered the price too high.  John Moore was a serviceable defenseman, but Anthony Duclair was one of the Rangers’ crown jewels.  A gifted goal scorer, he made the team unexpectedly at age 19.  He showed flashes of brilliance before being returned to the  QMJHL. Not only that, the Coyotes got the Blueshirts’ first round pick in 2016 and their second round pick in 2015. It was a classic case of mortgaging the future.

So, how did it turn out?  The Rangers made it to the Conference Finals, losing to Tampa in seven games.  Yandle played the following season when the Blueshirts were unexpectedly ousted in the first round by the Penguins.  Chris Summers had a few cups of coffee with the Rangers on defense.    Here’s something most people don’t know.  The 4th round pick the Rangers got in the deal turned out to be Finnish defenseman Tarmo Reunanen who had developed into a top prospect for the Blueshirts.

As for the Coyotes,  Duclair started off well, but never developed and was traded to Chicago for Richard Panik. John Moore became a UFA after one season and signed with the Devils.  As for the draft picks, they flipped the 2016 first rounder for a higher pick from Detroit and selected defenseman Jacob Chychrun who has become a regular on the blueline.  They traded the 2015 second rounder to Calgary for picks.  That pick became Oliver Kylington who is now playing for the Flames.  Those picks acquired by Arizona have done nothing.

Oh yes, the Rangers then traded the rights to Keith Yandle to the Florida Panthers for two draft picks that became goaltending prospect Tyler Wall and Cornell center Morgan Barron.

So, the Rangers will potentially end up with Tyler Wall, Morgan Barron and Tarmo Reunanen as well as one year and two playoffs with Keith Yandle.  The Coyotes end up with Jakob Chychrun.   The jury is still out on this one.

Trade grade:  B with a partial Incomplete

Yandle was not the only player acquired in 2015.  They also picked up forward James Sheppard who turned out to a playoff rental.  He played in 14 regular season games for the Blueshirts and 13 playoff games.  He became a free agent that summer and has been playing in Europe ever since.

The San Jose Sharks used the fourth round draft pick they acquired in the deal to pick center Noah Gregor. A highly touted prospect, he’s had some injuries and finally made it to the AHL this season.  He is still projected to have a future in the NHL.

Trade grade:  C-

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