by Casey Gower-Imagn Images
The NHL has had a few trades recently, including the deal between Colorado and Nashville that sent goaltender Justus Annunen and a 2025 6th round pick to the Predators in exchange for goaltender Scott Wedgewood, and the trade between Columbus and the Minnesota which sent potential defender David. Jiricek and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Wild for prospect defenseman Daemon Hunt, a conditional 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 third and fourth round, and a 2027 second round.
All things considered, these were not blockbuster trades. But don’t be surprised when each team – the Preds, Avs, Wild and Blue Jackets – makes more moves before the end of the season. For different reasons, each of these four teams will be motivated and/or under pressure to continue shuffling their rosters in the short and long term, and each general manager on these teams will almost certainly make additional moves by or before the deadline of the NHL trades, March 7.
The Predators, as we all know, have had a disastrous season thus far, and giving up veteran Wedgewood in exchange for Annunen won’t affect Nashville’s day-to-day level of play. Annunen, 24, saw his numbers go from a .928 save percentage and 2.25 goals-against average last season to a .872 SP and 3 goals-against average, 23 this season. But he still has potential, and he’ll play in Nashville knowing he’s star Jusse Saros’ understudy — and that understanding could improve his performance.
Meanwhile, Wedgewood arrives in Colorado as a two-year journeyman posting a .915 SP and 2.72 GAA with Dallas, but his numbers this season (including a .878 SP and 3.69 GAA) don’t were not ideal. The 32-year-old was signed this season and next with a salary cap hit of $1.5 million (financial data via Puck Pedia), but will be looked to for stability between the pipes for the defensively struggling Avs .
The Wild/Blue Jackets trade was made not with the present in mind, but with a focus on the future. Jiricek is a highly touted prospect who hasn’t worked out with Columbus, while Hunt has played in 13 NHL games, but just one this season. Hunt might get more NHL time than Jiricek this year, but Jiricek paints a better long-term picture for Minnesota at defensive end.
Certainly, the Avs, Preds, Jackets and Wild are probably not done making moves. And other deals involving all four teams will likely focus on players who can contribute immediately at the NHL level. The Avs, Preds and Wild are determined to be playoff teams, so we see them adding talent. And the Blue Jackets are still in the early days of a major roster overhaul, and we expect them to continue to be active in reshaping their current and future prospects, bringing in players who can contribute now and in the long term.
Related: David Jiricek Becomes Minnesota Wild Blueline’s New Mainstay
Each of the four teams mentioned above are under pressure to be better than they currently are, and that’s why we expect more deals from them sooner rather than later. The Wild, Avalanche, Blue Jackets and Predators will continue to reshape their rosters, and when the trade deadline passes, we’re sure their rosters will look different than they do today.
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