Live deadline day trade blog: Updated 1:30pm w. Skjei rumor

We will be updating this page throughout the day with a perspective on how these deals affect the New York Rangers.

We are still waiting for the New York Rangers to make a deal, but they certainly made enough news of their own today.

Pierre LeBrun is reporting that there is a potential trade of Brady Skjei to Carolina  for a first round draft pick, but salary cap issues are complicating matters.

The trades

Analysis:  This is a great acquisition for the Oilers who are looking for scoring depth.  They now have two of the fastest skaters in the NHL in Connor McDavid and Athanasiou.  The Rangers will be glad to  see him in the West as he routinely torches the Blueshirts .

Analysis:  Yawn. Peca will be a UFA and is not doing much in the AHL. Luchuk is a RFA playing in the ECHL.

Analysis:  Heinen was one of the names mentioned in a possible trade for the Rangers with Boston.  Ritchie is a big physical player while Heinen plays with an edge as well.  Pick your poison.

Analysis:  I suppose the Sabres still believe the playoffs are within reach, though they eight points out.  The Devils didn’t get much for a legitimate power forward.  The  2021 fifth round draft pick that turns into a fourth rounder if the Sabres make the playoffs

Analysis:  The Flyers are loading up for the rest of the season and the playoffs and they get a solid depth center in Derek Grant who has scored 14 goals this season, a career high.  Not much of a return for the Ducks as Criscuolo is a career AHL player and the pick is in the 4th round.

Analysis:  Both teams get some depth at positions they could use it.  Rosen went from Toronto to Colorado in the Nazem Kadri deal so the Leafs know what they are getting.

Analysis:  The Penguins get a ton of experience in the 40-year old Marleau as a veteran depth forward for Pittsburgh.  The Pens still have injury issues so Marleau, who has ten goals this season, should help.  If Marleau could generate a third round pick, that sounds right for Jesper Fast.

Analysis:  It’s a good pick up for the Flyers.  Thompson is 35 years old and has a career 52% faceoff winning percentage.    It’s useful depth for the rest of the season and the playoffs.

Analysis:   Curious.  The Panthers and the Hurricanes need blueline help and they trade centers. This could be a precursor to some other deals involving some of these players. Haula is a pending UFA while Trocheck and Wallmark are both under contract.

Analysis:  Well, we aren’t going to see Chris Kreider in an Islanders uniform.  For the rebuilding Senators, it is a nice haul of draft picks for the player many consider the second best pending UFA forward out there.  The Islanders needed offense, especially with Derick Brassard out with a fractured cheek and Pageau will help them.  Late news that Pageau has agreed to a six year contract at $5 million per year.

Analysis:  This is a depth acquisition for the Avalanche.  Colorado has been mentioned as a top contender for Kreider and this probably doesn’ take them out of the mix as they are still in the market for a top scorer to replace injured players.   It does set a potential bar for a player like Jesper Fast.  The idea of a second round pick for someone like Fast is probably not in the realm of possibility.

The Rangers swapped Namestnikov to Ottawa for Nick Ebert and a 2021 fourth rounder.  So, they did better than if they had held onto him and made this same trade (though Ottawa got 13 goals and 25 points out of him this season).

Analysis:   Solid pick up for the Oilers looking for an offensive depth defenseman.  Brodziak is a 35 year old forward  who is a UFA after this season so it’s a roster/cap clearing move.  For Detroit, it’s all about the draft pick.  The pick becomes a  third round 2021 pick if Green plays 50% of Edmonton’s games this season and they reach the Western Conference Finals.