So the first trade has happened — Arizona traded defenseman Michael Stone to the Calgary Flames for a third-round pick and a conditional fifth. Was the trade worth it? It was a good trade for Arizona, who picked up future options in return for a defender who hasn’t been the same since an injury. What are the Flames getting out of the deal? Opinions vary.
Michael Stone seems like a decent fairly inexpensive pick up for the Flames.
— David Johnson (@hockeyanalysis) February 20, 2017
it’s like the Flames just made a stupid trade for the sake of making a trade. I don’t have time for this on so many levels.
— ארי (@thirtyfourseven) February 20, 2017
The League
Is Michael Stone a Good Addition? “Michael Stone has had a rough year via every metric really. So far this season he has posted 1 goal and 8 assists for 9 points in 45 games. He does not take many penalties (12) so thats a godsend in regards to how the rest of the team’s season is going. For what it is worth (not much) his plus/minus is -5.” [Matchsticks and Gasoline]
2017 NHL Trade Deadline: Arizona Coyotes trade Michael Stone to Calgary Flames for draft picks. “Arizona receives the fifth rounder if Stone re-signs with the Flames this offseason. Given Stone’s familiarity with former Coyotes assistant general manager and current Flames general manager Brad Treliving, it’s entirely possible that Stone might opt to stay in Calgary.” [5FH]
After long road, Frank Corrado is thriving with Marlies. “I’m just trying to take it day by day, play my game and get back to the way I feel like I’m at my best,” Corrado said of his play after the layoff. “I feel like I’ve been playing well and getting some ice time. It’s nice to play.” [PPP]
In His Battle Against Cancer, Dave Strader Has Already Won. “[B]eing able to come back and reaffirm that you are indeed something else completely away from the scope of the illness, whether that’s a child with a list of favorite things or a professional hockey broadcaster, is so important.” [Defending Big D]
Passive Incompetent Management Leads to Organizational Failure. “As you may have noticed, the Colorado Avalanche are having a rough season. On track to be the worst team in the cap/loser point era, they have failed in every aspect of NHL hockey for the last couple of months.” Oof, what an editorial. [Mile High Hockey]
Henrik Lundqvist wears mask for equipment manager. “In addition to a video and stick taps from the players, goalie Henrik Lundqvist wore a mask specific to the occasion with the jersey numbers of some of the best Rangers Marques has worked with over the years.” [NHL]
Inspired by a recent r/Soccer post I made an NHL age distribution chart pic.twitter.com/qJRmkIh6LW
— Matt (@MattPfefferHky) February 21, 2017
The Bolts
Trade market, playoff push and pending free agents complicate Lightning’s decisions. “Tampa Bay entered Monday just five points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. And that certainly complicates things for Lightning GM Steve Yzerman heading into the March 1 trade deadline.” [Tampa Bay Times]
NHL Trade rumours in the Atlantic: An objective analysis. “Oh, Tampa, what are you doing this season? You can’t streak your way to the playoffs at the last minute, stop fooling yourselves. The time is now for that fire sale. Go big! Don’t stop at Brian Boyle, move out all the dead wood!” [PPP]
Tampa Bay Lightning Report: Did Ryan Callahan Back Himself Into A Corner? “Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan has spent almost the entire season on the Injured List due to his surgically repaired hip, bearing the question, did he return too soon?” [Bolts by the Bay]
