With the NHL playoffs only 48 hours or so away, I felt it was a great time to look back on those who have made an impact. This is correct. A few players have turned their teams into better versions of themselves.
Unfortunately, this means that some players like Jakub Vrana cannot be included here. Nevertheless, he made an impression on St. Louis. The striker scored ten goals in 20 matches. Now, the two-time 20-goal leading scorer in the season can make it third.
Anyway, it’s time to reveal some of our besties.
Influential Western Conference trade deadline moves
Matthias Ekholm – D – Edmonton Oilers
This is the thing that doesn’t seem to be a big deal. However, it was. Nashville used a player like Matthias Ekholm very poorly. Reads like How Hampus Lindholm Published in Anaheim but worse.
Anyway, it’s not about offensive production with Ekholm. This became more how he helped other Edmonton defenders slip into more perfect innings. He earned 14 points (four goals) in 21 games with a +28. Also, the Oilers have gone 14-0-1 in their last 15 games.
Ekholm played a vital role in making Edmonton a more dangerous team. The Oilers have allowed 56 goals in their last 21 regular season games and six in their last seven games. A great deal of that dystopian play has to do with Ekholm. Edmonton can win defensive struggles a little easier now.
Marcus Johansson – C/W – Minnesota Wild
While one of Bill Guerin’s trades has fallen through, the effects of Marcus Johansson’s NHL trade deadline are coming in the red. Right now, Minnesota’s biggest priority is keeping the Swedish striker healthy. His injury history is well documented, as is his production. Johansson recorded six goals and 12 assists in 20 games for Minnesota.
Commit fewer penalties, shoot more, and puck less. It could be argued that his two-way game was just right for what Minnesota needs heading into the postseason.
With Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Ericsson Ek injured, it will be interesting how Gustav Nyquist (another move) performs in qualifying.
Nino Niedereiter – Winger – Winnipeg Jets
Once again, Kevin hit Sheffieldive while the iron was hot and made a great move to get Nino Niedretter. It wasn’t a glamorous move, but it was an effective one. The effects of the NHL Trade Deadline were good from the wing. He had six goals and 13 points in 22 games with Winnipeg after his acquisition from Nashville.
An almost complementary move to San Jose’s Vladislav Namestnikov was traded before the deadline. The pairing made a good impression with Winnipeg. Arguably, the Jets’ depth helped them beat Calgary and Nashville in the final game. Ironically, Niedereater came from Nashville.
Honorable Mention Deadline
Sammy Blaise – Left Wing – St. Louis Blues
Now, this might spark some controversy. However, the Blues may have found their top six forwards to help bridge along the younger forwards. Perhaps, trading Blais to the New York left winger helped more than anyone could realize.
No one can deny the results. Place scored nine goals and 20 points in 31 games for St. Louis while playing the six-minute quarterback. He wasn’t getting those in New York and health was an issue. Blais still needs to shoot the puck more, but Blues and him are a match.
If Blais stays healthy, next season could be the year many have been waiting for. With a younger lineup, the potential is there. It also could get St. Louis back into the playoffs faster than anyone expects.
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There’s no doubt that the Eastern Conference had more blockbuster deals, but the effects of the NHL trade deadline from the West had their ripple effect.