AROUND THE LEAGUE - 25-26

[Madcombinepilot]

This new NBA-esque situation of superstars forcing trades seems like a superstar thing not an American thing. When Bédard and Celebrini force their way to Vancouver we’re gonna be ok with it

Good double wrister there

[UWSaint]

Calgary picked up Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov.

Heading to NJ is Etienne Morin, Second-round pick (2026), First-round pick (2027, top-10 protected), First-round pick (2028, top-10 protected)

Huh. Didn’t know Flames liked their hand enough to bet.

And didn’t know the Devils would just go with picks. Seems like a team in purgatory.

[Aaronp18]

Calgary picked up Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov.

Heading to NJ is Etienne Morin, Second-round pick (2026), First-round pick (2027, top-10 protected), First-round pick (2028, top-10 protected)

Huh. Didn’t know Flames liked their hand enough to bet.

And didn’t know the Devils would just go with picks. Seems like a team in purgatory.

I feel like NJ is going to package some assets to pick someone up. They can't feel like they're in rebuild mode!

[Tciso]

Calgary picked up Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov.

Heading to NJ is Etienne Morin, Second-round pick (2026), First-round pick (2027, top-10 protected), First-round pick (2028, top-10 protected)

Huh. Didn’t know Flames liked their hand enough to bet.

And didn’t know the Devils would just go with picks. Seems like a team in purgatory.

I feel like NJ is going to package some assets to pick someone up. They can't feel like they're in rebuild mode!

Quinn Hughes is available next year....

[UWSaint]

San Jose trades Eklund, Haltuunen, Svoboda to Senators for the 9th OA pick.

Seems like San Jose opening the door for Stenberg. Or maybe they like Cullen or Belchez and will still start with Reid.

We all know Eklund. High motor, undersized, good hands, good playmaker. No longer ELC cheap. Personally, I think he's a second line type. And am a little surprised he got a 9th OA pick and that's what the Sens were targeting. But I'm not saying there might not be more in Eklund.

As for the others, Halt! was an early second round pick in the 2023 draft. Has size. Seemed to up his game in the playoffs in junior (post draft came over from Finland to play for London Knights; two seasons). Last year was rookie AHL season and he seems to have done pretty well. Slowish burn to the NHL, but he's a material part of the trade. Might not make the NHL, but might be a top 6 power forward. Intriguing prospect, IMO. Svoboda is probably more of a "give us one more dart" guy.

[Megaterio Llamas]

The Washington Capitals acquire Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues for Connor McMichael, Milton Gästrin and a 2026 1st round pick (#16)


https://puckpedia.com/trade/1134?utm_so ... nt=primary

[UWSaint]

The Washington Capitals acquire Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues for Connor McMichael, Milton Gästrin and a 2026 1st round pick (#16)


https://puckpedia.com/trade/1134?utm_so ... nt=primary

I want to be the Blues.

Kyrou was a disappointment last year -- Petey numbers without the two way play and at a less valuable position (some think he's a good two way player, I've never seen it). A burner, but IMO always a bit of an enigma. A handful of solid seasons before last year's bust, but even at his best, he seems to be the kind of guy whose on a top line of a team that's not a great team and will never be a great team if he's on that top line. Think Kevin Fiala.

16th overall plus Gastrin would be a good return for Kyrou, IMO. Adding McMichael?

Another trade win for St. Louis, who now has 3 of the top 16 picks in this draft.

EDIT Add: I should have said something about McMichael. I think he's a really good player. Very smart and versatile. Doesn't have the offensive potential of Kyrou, but seems to me to be the kind of player who will grow into that 2C or 3C on a winning team....

[Megaterio Llamas]

The Washington Capitals acquire Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues for Connor McMichael, Milton Gästrin and a 2026 1st round pick (#16)


https://puckpedia.com/trade/1134?utm_so ... nt=primary

I want to be the Blues.

Kyrou was a disappointment last year -- Petey numbers without the two way play and at a less valuable position (some think he's a good two way player, I've never seen it). A burner, but IMO always a bit of an enigma. A handful of solid seasons before last year's bust, but even at his best, he seems to be the kind of guy whose on a top line of a team that's not a great team and will never be a great team if he's on that top line. Think Kevin Fiala.

16th overall plus Gastrin would be a good return for Kyrou, IMO. Adding McMichael?

Another trade win for St. Louis, who now has 3 of the top 16 picks in this draft.

EDIT Add: I should have said something about McMichael. I think he's a really good player. Very smart and versatile. Doesn't have the offensive potential of Kyrou, but seems to me to be the kind of player who will grow into that 2C or 3C on a winning team....

I think I like Kyrou a little more than you do as a guy that can create some offense but I agree. Big win for St Louis on this one.

[Aaronp18]

St. Louis doing what I hoped we would.

Maybe we can take one of their picks!

[Megaterio Llamas]

St. Louis doing what I hoped we would.

Maybe we can take one of their picks!

Yeah, I agree. I'm ready for some action any time now.

Watch the transaction wire; it's hoppin.

[BCExpat]

Flames spent a bunch of draft capital to get Nemec, but he was a 2OA just 2 years ago and has a ton of upside. They still have 1st round picks in both 2027 and 2028. I just hope he turns out. The Flames RHD is looking great! Also, according to one Flames insider, Conroy isn't done yet, so we'll see what else happens.

[UWSaint]

St. Louis doing what I hoped we would.

Maybe we can take one of their picks!

They got a first for Faulk. Unbelievable.

They got a first for Schenn. REALLY unbelievable.

They got a first for Kyrou -- that's believable -- but they also got a good young NHL middle 6 center and 19 year old center who was an early second rounder a year ago and hasn't done anything that screams buyer's remorse. That's damn good.

And so they have 4 picks in this year's first round. They haven't moved their best, highest trade value assets. They could tear it down, but they could also add a bit now if they wanted to fight for (maybe be a favorite to win) a wild card.

The reason they are here is because they didn't say yes to the first reasonable offer.

[Aaronp18]

Yup, some really solid management in St. Louis right now!

[UWSaint]

Flames spent a bunch of draft capital to get Nemec, but he was a 2OA just 2 years ago and has a ton of upside. They still have 1st round picks in both 2027 and 2028. I just hope he turns out. The Flames RHD is looking great! Also, according to one Flames insider, Conroy isn't done yet, so we'll see what else happens.

4 years ago. Makes a big difference. He's burned through his ELC. Still think there's a bunch of potential upside, though.

[UWSaint]

Yup, some really solid management in St. Louis right now!

I mean, from my perspective, Faulk and Schenn *weren't worth their contracts* much less trading high value to get them. Kyrou was, but not blowing it out of the water -- and if he repeats last year this year, he's a Petey level disappointment in terms of production v. used-to-have expectation.

Its making lemonade from lemons. Which you don't get to do when you aren't negotiating from a position of strength.

Master class.

C'mon, RJ, follow this lead!