NHL Hockey Player News

Colin Smith(C)|
Trade
Trade
The Maple Leafs have acquired Colin Smith and a fourth-round draft pick from the Avalanche for Shawn Matthias.

Smith, 22, is a pending restricted free agent at the season. He was a seventh round pick (192nd overall) in 2012 and has just one game of NHL experience. He has picked up 13 goals and 21 assists (34 points) in 54 games with San Antonio (AHL) this season. He will report to the AHL’s top team the Toronto Marlies.

Source:
Darren Dreger 2016-02-28T22:35:35.000Z
Colin Smith
Shawn Matthias(C)|
Trade
Trade
The Avalanche have acquired Shawn Matthias from Toronto for Colin Smith and a fourth-round draft pick.

Matthias, 28, signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs at the start of the season but will now provide third-line depth for the Avalanche, who are making a playoff push in the Western Conference. Matthias has 17 points (6G / 11A) in 51 games with the Maple Leafs this season, but had a career-high 18 goals with the Canucks last season.

Source:
Darren Dreger 2016-02-28T22:35:31.000Z
Shawn Matthias
Tobias Lindberg(RW)|
Trade
Trade
The Maple Leafs have acquired Tobias Lindberg, Milan Michalek, Colin Greening, Jared Cowen and a 2017 2nd round pick from the Senators for Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert and prospect Cody Donaghey.

Lindberg, 20, was a fourth round pick (102nd overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 215 lbs. winger has registered 22 points (5G / 17A) in 34 games with Binghamton in his first AHL season. Lindberg won a Memorial Cup with Oshawa last season, a team that was coached by current Maple Leafs’ assistant coach D.J Smith.

Source:
Ottawa Senators 2016-02-09T16:23:52.000Z
Tobias Lindberg
Milan Michalek(LW)|
Trade
Trade
The Maple Leafs have acquired Milan Michalek, Colin Greening, Jared Cowen, Tobias Lindberg and a 2017 2nd round pick from the Senators for Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert and prospect Cody Donaghey.

Michalek is currently out with his second broken finger of the season and is not expected to be back until March. Michalek has one more year left before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He has 10 points (6G / 4A) in 32 games this season.

Source:
Ottawa Senators 2016-02-09T16:15:05.000Z
Milan Michalek
Colin Greening(LW)|
Trade
Trade
The Maple Leafs have acquired Colin Greening, Jared Cowen, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg and a 2017 2nd round pick from the Senators for Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert and prospect Cody Donaghey.

Greening, 29, has only appeared in one NHL game this season, he has spent the season with Binghamton, where he has collected 13 points (7G / 6A) in 41 games. Greening, who has 87 career NHL points (38G / 49A) in 256 games, has one year left on his current deal.

Source:
Ottawa Senators 2016-02-09T16:14:34.000Z
Colin Greening
Jared Cowen(D)|
Trade
Trade
The Maple Leafs have acquired Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg and a 2017 2nd round pick from the Senators for Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert and prospect Cody Donaghey.

Cowen, 25, was the ninth overall pick in 2009 but has yet to live up to his draft position. He has often served as a healthy scratch this season, including the last three games before the trade and has just four assists in 37 games overall. He plays a physical brand of hockey but needs a lot of work on his skating. Cowen has one year left on his current deal, which carries a $4.5 million dollar cap-hit.

Source:
Ottawa Senators 2016-02-09T16:14:26.000Z
Jared Cowen
Cody Donaghey(D)|
Trade
Trade
The Senators have acquired prospect Cody Donaghey, Dion Phaneuf, Ryan Rupert, Casey Bailey and Matt Frattin from the Maple Leafs for Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg and a 2017 2nd round pick.

Donaghey, 19, was an undrafted free agent that has split his season between the Halifax Mooseheads and Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. Donaghey has picked up five goals and 17 assists (21 points) in 36 games this season.

Source:
Ottawa Senators 2016-02-09T16:14:22.000Z
Cody Donaghey
Ryan Rupert(C)|
Trade
Trade
The Senators have acquired Ryan Rupert, Dion Phaneuf, Casey Bailey, Matt Frattin and prospect Cody Donaghey from the Maple Leafs for Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg and a 2017 2nd round pick.

Rupert, 21, was a sixth round pick (157th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft. He has picked up five points (3G / 2A) in seven games with Orlando (ECHL) and 12 points (6G / 6A) in 29 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) this season. He has never appeared in an NHL game.

Source:
Ottawa Senators 2016-02-09T16:14:16.000Z
Ryan Rupert
Casey Bailey(C)|
Trade
Trade
The Senators have acquired Casey Bailey, Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Ryan Rupert and prospect Cody Donaghey from the Maple Leafs for Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg and a 2017 2nd round pick.

Bailey, 24, was an undrafted free agent who signed with the Maple Leafs during the 2014-15 season. He has recorded 18 points (4G / 14A) in 38 games with the Marlies this season and has one goal in six career NHL games.

Source:
Ottawa Senators 2016-02-09T16:14:12.000Z
Casey Bailey
Matt Frattin(RW)|
Trade
Trade
The Senators have acquired Matt Frattin, Dion Phaneuf, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert and prospect Cody Donaghey from the Maple Leafs for Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg and a 2017 2nd round pick.

Frattin, 28, has spent the entire season with the Toronto Marlies (AHL). In 47 games he has collected nine goals and 13 assists (22 points). He has appeared in 135 career NHL games, registering 35 points (17G / 18A) with the Maple Leafs, Kings and Blue Jackets.

Source:
Ottawa Senators 2016-02-09T16:07:31.000Z
Matt Frattin
Dion Phaneuf(LD)|FA
Trade
Trade
The Senators have acquired Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert and prospect Cody Donaghey from the Maple Leafs for Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, Milan Michalek, Tobias Lindberg and a 2017 2nd round pick.

The Maple Leafs were able to ship out Phaneuf and his massive contract without having to retain any salary. Phaneuf will make his Senators debut on Wednesday in Detroit, where he will be paired with Cody Ceci. Phaneuf has collected three goals, 21 assists (24 points) and 116 shots in 51 games with the Maple Leafs. He will be playing second fiddle to Erik Karlsson in Ottawa, but an improved offence could help his fantasy value in the long-run.

Source:
Ottawa Senators 2016-02-09T16:07:26.000Z
Dion Phaneuf
Ryan Garbutt(LW)|FA
Trade
Trade
The Ducks have acquired Ryan Garbutt from the Blackhawks for Jiri Sekac.

Garbutt had two goals and four assists in 43 games in his first season with the Blackhawks. He was acquired in the Patrick Sharp deal this summer but is now on his way to Montreal. He has 76 points (32G / 44A) in 241 career NHL games.

Source:
Jay Zawaski 2016-01-21T15:54:08.000Z
Ryan Garbutt
Jiri Sekac(LW)|
Trade
Trade
The Blackhawks have acquired Jiri Sekac from the Ducks for Ryan Garbutt.

Sekac, 23, had just one goal and two assists in 22 games with the Ducks this season. In 91 career NHL games, Sekac has registered 10 goals and 16 assists. Sekac could make his Blackhawks debut on Friday.

Source:
Jay Zawaski 2016-01-21T15:54:18.000Z
Jiri Sekac
David Perron(LW)|OTT
Trade
Trade
The Ducks have acquired David Perron and Adam Clendening from the Penguins for Carl Hagelin.

Perron will be a unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Despite playing the majority of the season with Sidney Crosby, Perron had just 16 points (4G / 12A) in 43 games. He could slide into Hagelin’s spot in the Ducks top six, but he remains a low-end wing option in standard 12-team leagues.

Source:
Bob McKenzie 2016-01-16T11:05:52.000Z
David Perron
Carl Hagelin(LW)|WAS
Trade
Trade
The Penguins have acquired Carl Hagelin from the Ducks for David Perron and Adam Clendening.

Hagelin has three years left on his deal that carries a $4M cap-hit. Hagelin had a tough three and a half months with the Ducks, scoring just four goals with eight assists (12 points) in 43 games. He is a speedy winger with good offensive and defensive zone abilities. He should make his Penguins debut on Sunday vs. the Hurricanes.

Source:
Bob McKenzie 2016-01-16T11:04:31.000Z
Carl Hagelin

NHL Trade Tracker

Are you looking for all the latest NHL trade news from around the league? Then you’ve come to the right spot! Daily Faceoff’s NHL trade tracker provides up-to-the-minute updates on the latest personnel moves and trade rumours from all 32 franchises. When your favourite player gets dealt for future considerations, you’ll be the first to know!

Along with our NHL trade tracker, we also provide information on how hockey trades work, the strategy behind these moves, and how the latest NHL trades could impact your sports betting strategy.

It’s important for fans, sports bettors, and fantasy managers to stay informed on the latest NHL transactions. If you can keep tabs on the latest moves in the NHL, this can assist you in making intelligent pickups or trades in fantasy hockey and help shape your bets based on the new personnel added to a team.

NHL Trade Rules

NHL trades can be quite lucrative, with players, prospects, and draft capital moved to complete a deal. While there are a variety of ways to finalize trades, they all need to abide by the trade rules and regulations set by the league. Even the San Jose Sharks can’t take on everyone’s bad contracts.

Learn more about the rules around trades below so you can better understand how trades work, and the transactions made in our NHL trade tracker.

Salary Cap

In order for any NHL trade to be processed successfully, all parties involved must abide by the league’s salary cap rules. The current NHL salary cap is $88M, meaning that each team’s total payroll must fall within the budgetary restriction.

The salary cap in the NHL is considered a “hard cap,” meaning that no team can exceed it. While the limitations around roster construction can be strict, there are still ways for teams to legally exceed the set limit that won’t cost teams a first-round pick.

In the playoffs, teams are technically able to exceed their cap space through the long-term injured reserve (LTIR). The LTIR allows teams to place injured players on extended leave (24+ calendar days or 10 NHL Games) and fill their roster spots based on their cap space heading into the regular season.

If a player is on the LTIR heading into the postseason, they can be activated regardless of if their re-addition to the team puts them over the salary cap.

Roster Limit

For any active NHL roster, they can only dress 23 skaters. While they’re able to move players up and down through their farm system (AHL/ECHL/International Players), they must abide by this player limit when it comes to active players dressed in each game.

This plays a big factor in determining trades, as teams will need to make salaries work to make the move official and fit the current team’s available roster spots.

Depth is an incredibly important part of any successful NHL team, so filling out their roster with talented players is pivotal to their success. Each roster spot holds immense value.

NHL Trade Deadline

The NHL trade deadline is the last opportunity for teams to make moves between each other during the regular season. The trade deadline generally falls after the All-Star break so teams can make their last-ditch efforts before the playoffs begin. Players must be on the team’s roster by the deadline at 3 PM to be eligible for the NHL playoffs.

Technically, teams can still make trades after this point if they don’t qualify or have been eliminated from the postseason. These trades will not take effect until the next season, but the transactions can still go through.

The deadline can make or break a team’s playoff hopes, making it a dramatic and hectic period for hockey fans and managers alike. Be sure to regularly check back with our NHL trade tracker around the deadline so you don’t miss any latest moves from across the league.

Understanding the Strategy Behind NHL Trades

NHL teams may want to make a trade for a number of reasons. Often, teams make trades when they are looking to head in a certain direction, whether this means trying to improve and compete for the Stanley Cup or tank and enter a rebuild.

A team that feels it has a strong enough unit to make a deep run into the postseason will likely forgo some of its draft capital to acquire proven talent and enhance its winning capabilities.

Conversely, a team that has hit a wall in terms of success and doesn’t feel they have what it takes to compete in the playoffs may opt to trade away valuable assets in favour of draft picks or promising prospects.

Other NHL trade strategies may involve team culture/personnel fits. If a player doesn’t fit within a coach’s game plan or doesn’t have chemistry with his line mates, teams may opt to deal him to find a better fit.

For daily fantasy sports players or hockey bettors, understanding the logic behind NHL trades can play a big part in your success. If you have a solid understanding of a team’s needs and the value brought by particular players, you can use this to gain an edge on your roster moves and bets.

Check out the most recent roster moves from around the league with our NHL trade tracker, and be sure to analyze the strategy used by each team when making their next move.

How NHL Trades Impact Sports Betting

NHL trades can have a major impact on sports betting, both in terms of daily games and futures. Players moving from team to team can alter a squad’s potential success and on-ice production.

For example, if a team decides to trade their leading goal-scorer, you can rightfully assume that their overall scoring numbers may drop as a result. This means a team you once would’ve taken the Over on may be better suited for the Under due to their new lineup.

Acquiring an all-star player for futures bets can dramatically influence the betting lines, increasing one team’s value while dropping another. If you’ve already placed a futures bet and the team you wagered on makes a trade, this could possibly increase or lower the value of your original ticket, depending on the result of the roster change.
Daily fantasy hockey players can also be impacted by NHL trades as you will need to see how a player fits into their new setting before including them in your drafted lineup.
Be sure to watch for any of the latest transactions by using our NHL trade tracker to stay informed on all the roster changes occurring throughout the league.

NHL Trades FAQs

Who decides NHL trades?

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.

When can players be traded in the NHL?

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.

Why do they trade players in hockey?

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.

How often are NHL players traded?

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.