While the NHL trade deadline is still a week away, teams around the league aren’t acting like it. For the past week, big deals have started to come fast and furious. Enough that some outlets are already starting to count down their deadline winners and losers.
Among the winners, according to ESPN hockey writer E.J. Hradek, are the Flyers. Philadelphia traded a first and third round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for winger Kris Versteeg.
Who won the deal? Flyers. In Philly, they’re thinking Stanley Cup. GM Paul Holmgren feels that Versteeg can be another piece in a championship puzzle. A late-first-round pick and a third-rounder aren’t too high a price for a good young player that remains under contract for another season. I have to say, it was a pretty good deal for the Leafs, too.
When you’re evaluating a trade you always have to take into account what a team is after. The Leafs were after more picks to help get younger, the Flyers were after a solid two way winger. Both got what they want. Of course, in an attempt to get younger, the Leafs gave up a nice young player signed through next season… which probably is what tipped the deal in favor of the Flyers.