
McLeod has spent nine and a half years with Colorado, collecting 117 points (66G / 51A) in 659 career NHL games. McLeod is a career fourth liner and will likely find a similar role in his new home in Nashville.
Girard, 22, was a fourth round pick (95th overall) in 2013 and has picked up eight points (3G / 5A) in 35 games with Milwaukee (AHL) this season. Girard will report to San Antonio (AHL).
Late Tuesday night, the Ducks acquired Enroth from Toronto to shore up their goaltending depth, particularly at the AHL level, with Dustin Tokarski battling an injury. Enroth has had a very difficult season, going 0-3-1 with a 3.94 GAA and .872 SV% with the Maple Leafs and 2-1-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .904 SV% with the Marlies.
Holland has been a healthy scratch for the majority of the season, appearing in just eight games with the Maple Leafs and only tallied a single assist. Last season he appeared in a career-high 65 NHL games and has 70 points (30G / 40A) in 203 career NHL games.
Kristo, 26, was a second round pick in 2008, but has never made it to the NHL. The American-born winger has collected two assists in eight games with Chicago (AHL) this season and will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
McNeill, 24, was a sixth round pick (170th overall) in 2010 and has never appeared in an NHL game. The 6-foot-4, 215 lbs. defenseman has one goal and one assist in 14 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season and will report to Chicago (AHL).
Condon was picked up off of waivers from the Canadiens, but only appeared in one game with Penguins—a relief appearance, stopping all seven shots in Nashville. Condon is 21-25-6 with a career .904 SV% in his NHL career. The acquisition of Condon, suggests that Andrew Hammond’s injury is more serious than originally expected.
Brickley, 24, was a second round pick (50th overall) in 2010 but has only appeared in 23 NHL games since. Brickley had 27 points (12G / 15A) in 45 games with Portland a season ago.
Sutter, 25, was a seventh round pick (193rd overall) in 2011 and has only appeared in 12 career NHL games. He has been a solid AHLer in Charlotte, picking up 33 goals and 44 assists (77 points) over the last three seasons. He should report to Springfield.
Yakupov, 23, was the first overall pick in 2012 but has never been able to get back on track after a great rookie season. He broke into the NHL with 31 points (17G / 14A) in 48 games during the lockout shortened season, but picked up just 33 goals and 47 assists (80 points) in 204 games over the last three seasons combined. The Blues have depth on the wing, but Yakupov adds a little extra and will likely start in the bottom-6.
Crouse, 19, was drafted 11th overall in 2015 and is coming off of a season where he had 62 points (23G / 39A) in 49 games with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL). Crouse is a big-boy (6’4” / 212 lbs.) who adds even more offensive upside to a youthful Coyotes organization. He will fight for a roster spot in training camp, but could start the year in the AHL.
NHL trades are decided between two or more team general managers. The front office’s job is building a winning team. Building a winning team means discussing trades with other general managers across the league.
During the NHL regular season, players can be traded up until the trade deadline. The deadline is the official cutoff point for when teams can no longer make moves between each other. Players can also be traded throughout the offseason.
Teams trade players in hockey for a variety of reasons, but generally, it is done to find success, whether that is in the short term or long term. Teams may trade their top players in search of draft picks if they are undergoing a rebuild, whereas contending teams may look to acquire talent to boost their playoff chances.
Trades are a common occurrence throughout the NHL and happen often. Some years feature less trades than others, it all depends on each teams needs and the availability of attractive talent.