In a NHL Trade Deadline Day that saw most of the bigger deals go down over the weekend, there weren’t many fireworks. The bigger news might be who was not moved, including Boston’s impending UFA Loui Eriksson, Tampa Bay’s disgruntled forward Jonathan Drouin, Anaheim’s RFA to be Sami Vatanen, and Vancouver’s defenseman Dan Hamhuis.
Loui Eriksson
It’s been confirmed by multiple sources that Boston has been in negotiations with Eriksson for a contract extension, however it seems that leading into the deadline they have not been able to come to any type of agreement. Many assumed that absent of an extension that Bruin’s General Manager Don Sweeney would either make a move for future assets or perhaps deal for a defenseman to bolster their blue line. That didn’t happen and Erikkson will remain with the Bruins. Now the only question is whether the two sides are able to work something out before free agency starts on July 1. Boston added forward Lee Stempniak from New Jersey and defenseman John-Michael Liles from Carolina, and is currently in 3rd place in the Atlantic Division.
Jonathan Drouin
Despite rumors that he could be moved as early as this past Sunday, it seems as that Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman wasn’t able to find the right deadline deal involving talented, but disgruntled forward Jonathan Drouin. Drouin remains suspended, though for the first time in a number of weeks Yzerman has seemingly left the door open for his return to the organization.
In speaking with the Tampa Bay Times, Yzerman said,
“Jonathan (Drouin) is suspended, if he wants to come back, the door is open. That’s up to him.”
Yzerman went on to admit that he hasn’t had any discussions on the subject with Drouin or agent Allan Walsh, so where this might end up is anyones guess. the Lightning made no significant moves and currently sit two points behind the Florida Panthers for the lead in the Atlantic Division.
Sami Vatanen
With rumors surfacing on Sunday that Sami Vatanen was looking for a $6M x 6 year deal this summer, and with the Ducks swimming in defensive depth, many thought that Vatanen may be on the move – this despite being a big part of a Ducks team that has been the best in the NHL since Christmas. There has been speculation in the last few weeks that Edmonton might be willing to move Jordan Eberle for the talented Finnish blue-liner, and the weekend rumor mill had him linked to Tampa Bay in a deal that would involve Jonathan Drouin. Ultimately, Ducks General Manager Bob Murray elected to keep his team intact, adding gritty forward Jamie McGinn from the Buffalo Sabres and RFA Brandon Pirri from Florida.
Dan Hamhuis
The chances that Dan Hamhuis would be moved gathered some good momentum when it emerged that he might be willing to waive his no-trade clause in the event that he was dealt to a contender. That picked up more steam last week when Hamhuis publicly admitted that he was open to such a trade.
“We’d like to stay, but we have an open mind to going, possibly to the right fit, if that’s what (the Canucks) want to do.”
However by then, Vancouver had likely missed a chance to pry a decent draft pick or top prospect from a Chicago Blackhawks team that was very active before the deadline. Then early today, trade speculation took a another hit when the Dallas Stars acquired Kris Russell from the Calgary Flames. Dallas had long been rumored to be the front-runner for Hamhuis. Then in a final act that seemed to end all trade speculation, it was reported by Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy that Hamhuis would be unwilling to waive his no-trade clause to join the Boston Bruins, leaving him in Vancouver until his contract expires in July.
The Canucks are currently 8 points out of a Wild Card position and seem unlikely to make the playoffs this year.