There has just been a major transaction in the NHL, as one of the most coveted defensemen has changed teams. Chris Tanev is heading to Dallas, with the Flames receiving a 2nd-round pick, another conditional pick, and a prospect.
We know that Kent Hughes doesn't want to trade David Savard unless he receives an offer he can't refuse. Change the 2nd-round pick in the Tanev deal to a 1st-round pick, and I think we have a deal.
Savard now becomes the most sought-after right-handed defenseman on the market, and Kent Hughes' phone must be constantly ringing.
"This leaves a lot of runway for a potential David Savard deal to take shape and he just moved up a rung on the ladder of this style of right shot defenceman. Didn't take long for Monahan to move after Lindholm, we'll see if a similar dynamic presents itself to Kent Hughes here." - Arpon Basu
Indeed, in the hours following Elias Lindholm's trade, Sean Monahan was traded in turn. It will be interesting to see if the same concept unfolds now.
An Active Market
With just over a week left before the March 8 deadline, this transaction could have set the stage. Teams are starting to make their moves in preparation for the playoffs.
