Just prior to the Lightning dropping the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks, it was announced that Taylor Hall was a healthy scratch. Not long after that, word trickled out that he was being held out due to being involved in a trade involving the Carolina Hurricanes and a third team. The third team ended up being the Colorado Avalanche, and what a trade it turned out to be.
Trade official: Colorado trades Mikko Rantanen to Chicago in return for UDC Nils Juntorp Chicago trades Mikko Rantanen (50% retained) and Taylor Hall to Carolina in return for Chicago’s own 2025 3rd round draft pick Carolina trades Martin Necas, Jack Drury, Carolina’s own 2025 2nd round draft [1/2]
— Pierre LeBrun (Bot) (@notpierrevlebrun.bsky.social) January 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
In exchange for washing 50% of Rantanen’s salary, the Blackhawks got their own 2025 third-round pick back (offer sheet time!). Colorado picks up two forwards in Necas and Dury as well as a couple of draft picks to use in future deals. Carolina shores up their offense by getting the best player in the deal and a depth player in Hall.
It could be an “everyone wins” kind of deal, especially considering Carolina just announced that forward William Carrier underwent surgery and will probably miss at least a couple of months. If nothing else, it announces that the league is open and ready for trading. We’ll see if this deal triggers any other movement around the league.
Lightning News
Overtime. Power Plays. Nikita Kucherov. [Raw Charge]
It took a little longer than any of us wanted (especially considering they play again tomorrow), but if you’re going to play overtime, might as well win. That’s what the Bolts did.
Lightning to host women’s college hockey at Amalie Arena [The Hockey Writers]
In another sign that hockey continues to grow in the Sunshine State, the Lightning hosted exhibition game between the University of Florida and University of Tampa with the Spartans pulling off the 7-4 win.
Bridgeport 5, Syracuse 2 [The AHL]
The good news is that the Crunch scored two goals in a row. The bad news was that they were down 4-0 by the time they did it. Tristan Allard and Jujhar Khaira had the tallies while Gage Goncalves picked up his 9th assist of the season. Old friend Gemel Smith had a goal and an assist for the Islanders.
Derrick Pouliot added to all-star Classic [Syracuse Crunch]
The Syracuse defender will join teammate Brandon Halverson in Palm Desert in a couple of weeks as he was added to the North Division roster. With 31 points, the veteran is tied for first among defensemen in the league. This will be his 4th all-star appearence.
Hockey News
Islanders sign Tony DeAngelo [Lighthouse Hockey]
Alleged goaltender fighter and failed KHLer, Tony DeAngelo is back in the NHL as he signs a deal with the New York Islanders. With Noah Dobson out with an injury, the Islanders, who are clinging to the playoff race, needed some help on the blueliner and decided to take a flyer on the former Hurricane.
Utah Yetis name rejected by trademark office [ESPN]
The newest franchise has a bit of a setback in establishing their new identity as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected their trademark application. It’s still possible that ends up being their name, but it will take some legal work to make it happen before next season.
In the NHL, boozing is out. Edible cannabis and video games are in [The Athletic]
The days of going out and getting wrecked at a bar seem to be fading away with the new generation of players opting for a more chill vibe. With online gaming giving them a chance to remain somewhat anonymous and edibles helping them relax without the worry about a hangover, things have really changed around the league.
Gary Bettman on retirement, Connor McDavid, 4 Nations [The Athletic]
An NHL without Uncle Gary? Crazy to think about, but it looks like they’ve started planning for it around the league offices.
