Hockeywiztalks Hockey Blog

 It is no secret that many teams around the league are trying to tank this season in order to land Connor Bedard, a potential generational talent. One of those teams that is among the favorites to land Bedard is the Montreal Canadiens, who are in dire need of game-changing talent. However, the Canadiens team is it is right now is too good, and would win too many games, so it would be best for them to trade away their valuable players. This is what the Montreal Canadiens need to better their chances at landing Connor Bedard. At the Trade Deadline, Montreal makes a few trades Montreal Canadiens trade Christian Dvorak, Mike Hoffman, and Josh Anderson to the Dallas Stars for Denis Gurianov, Ty Dellandrea, 1st round pick '24. This is a massive haul to get in return for three good players, who will instantly make the Dallas Stars better, while Montreal gets younger and are in better shape for the future. The Canadiens also trade Brendan Gallagher and Joel Edmundson to the  New York ...

Nicklas Backstrom is expected to miss the 2022-23 season after undergoing hip surgery, so if the Washington Capitals are to make the playoffs, they might need to do more than they have already done in the offseason to improve their team. This is what I would to ensure the Washington Capitals remain contenders without Nicklas Backstrom. With Backstrom, Tom Wilson, and Carl Hagelin on LTIR, they can spend 17.11 million over the cap; they already have a payroll of 88.82 million, which is already 6.32 million over the cap. Wilson and Hagelin are expected to be back this season, so they really only have 2.88 million to spend, if Backstrom is remaining on the LTIR the whole season. Washington added a bunch of rental players to replace their injured offensive players, but they haven't done much to improve their defense. The Offense of the Capitals is fine, but Washington really needs to improve their defense, if they are to contend in their division. Washington Capitals Make the following...

The New York Islanders missed the playoffs last season, and they didn't really do anything in the offseason to improve the team. In order for the Islanders to be a contender this season, they will need to make some moves to improve the team. This is how the New York Islanders can become a Contender this season. Before the season, the Islanders make two trades New York Islanders trade Josh Bailey, Kieffer Bellows, 2023 2nd round pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Shayne Gostisbehere, Nick Ritchie and a 2023 3rd round pick. The Islanders and Coyotes basically swap Bailey and a 2nd round pick for Gostisbehere and 3rd round pick, as well as Kieffer Bellows for Nick Ritchie. The Islanders also trade Semyon Varlamov to the Vegas Golden Knights for Laurent Brossoit, 2024 2nd round pick. The Golden Knights acquire a proven veteran goalie, who can help them while Robin Lehner is out this season. At the Trade Deadline, One major trade is made New York Islanders trade Simon Holmstrom, Nick Ritch...

The Columbus Blue Jackets have quietly put together a dangerous team and depending on the development of their young players and what other moves they make, they could make a push to be contenders this season. This is how the Columbus Blue jackets can be a contender this season. At the Trade Deadline, a few trades are made Columbus Blue Jackets trade Gustav Nyquist, Liam Foudy, Vladislav Gavrikov, 2023 2nd round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for Mike Hoffman, and Joel Edmundson. This trade works out for both teams, as both Nyquist and Hoffman could use a change in scenery, and Edmundson would be an upgrade on the blueline over Gavrikov. Montreal also gets Liam Foudy for taking on Nyquist's bad contract. Columbus Blue Jacket acquire Derek Grant from the Anaheim Ducks for 5th round pick '24. Derek Grant is a great depth piece to have on the team for a contending team. Joonas Korpisalo is dealt to the Montreal Canadiens for Sam Montembeault, conditional 4th round pick '23.   ...

The Vancouver Canucks are a borderline contending team right now and are unlikely to make the playoffs if they don't make any significant changes. This is what the Vancouver Canucks should do to improve the team. Vancouver Canucks make a few trades: Vancouver Canucks trade Tyler Myers and Tanner Pearson to the Buffalo Sabres for Casey Mittelstadt, Jacob Bryson, 2023 2nd round pick. This trade helps both teams address their needs but most importantly, Vancouver adds a young center with top 6 potential. JT Miller is traded to the New York Rangers for Nils Lundkvist, Vitali Kravtsov, 2023 1st round pick.  The Rangers get JT Miller to bolster their top 6, while the Canucks get two top prospects and a 1st round pick for a pending UFA. Vancouver Canucks sign the Following Free Agents: Tyler Motte-3yrs/1.8M per This is how the lineup looks like this season 2022-23 Vancouver Canucks N.Hoglander-E.Pettersson-B.Boeser C.Garland-B.Horvat-A.Kuzmenko I.Mikheyev-C.Mittelstadt-V.Podkolzin T.Motte...

The Vegas Golden Knights are in trouble now with Robin Lehner expected to be out the entire season and with Laurent Brossoit also out with injury. With their goaltending situation uncertain, Vegas will need to make some moves to improve their goaltending in order to be a contender this season. These are the moves that the Vegas Golden Knights should make: Vegas Golden Knights acquire Semyon Varlamov from the New York Islanders for a 2023 3rd round pick, and a 2024 5th round pick. This trade benefits both teams because the Islanders don't really need a $5 million backup with Ilya Sorokin primed to be the workhorse next season, while the Golden Knights really could use a veteran goalie to tandem with Logan Thompson in the absence of Robin Lehner. Vegas Golden Knights acquire Mike Hoffman from the Montreal Canadiens for Sakari Manninen, a 2025 3rd round pick. If Vegas Makes the playoffs, the 3rd round pick becomes a 2nd round pick. Mike Hoffman adds some scoring punch to their top 6 ...

With the Chicago Blackhawks seemingly in a state of rebuild, I think it makes sense for the Chicago Blackhawks to trade Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Here are some trades that would make sense for the two franchise stars. Patrick Kane Trade Destinations: New York Rangers Edmonton Oilers Buffalo Sabres   Patrick Kane Trade 1: NY Rangers get Patrick Kane CHI Blackhawks get Kappo Kakko/Vitaly Kravtsov, Nils Lundkvist, cond. '23 2nd round pick, cond. '25 3rd round pick.  If the Rangers make the second round of the playoffs, 2nd round pick becomes a 1st round pick.  If Patrick Kane re-signs with the Rangers, Chicago gets a 2025 3rd-round pick. This trade benefits both teams and the deal will reunite him alongside his former linemate Artermi Panarin. Patrick Kane Trade 2: EDM get Patrick Kane CHI Blackhawks get Jesse Puljujarvi, Tyson Barrie, 2024 1st round pick. Chicago retains 25% of Patrick Kane's Contract.  This trade is strictly a rental for Edmonton, while for Chi...