Well then.
This was no news dump; a vortex of activity hit the NHL offices Wednesday afternoon. Three of the NHL's biggest stars in P.K. Subban, Taylor Hall, and Shea Weber were dealt, and the highest-profile impending unrestricted free agent of the post lockout era, Steven Stamkos, forewent the exceedingly rare opportunity to hit the open market. All in less than an hour.
Here's what it means to the five teams directly involved.
Montreal deals P.K. Subban to Nashville for Shea Weber
Marc Bergevin disclosed his antiquated process in trading Subban - one of the greatest players and personalities in today's game. This is a player who offered something undeniably unique to hockey in Montreal, both on and off the ice. He made a city and team better.
Undeniably, Bergevin's impetus runs deeper than what we're privy to. He's sided with a coach, clique, or something in the organization adverse to his former rock star defender, because despite this deal involving effective, big-money blue-liners with hefty term, it doesn't add up. Subban is beginning his prime seasons, and will be a team-friendly 33 years old when his $72-million contract expires in 2022. Weber will be 31 - with a decade remaining on his deal - before ever making his Habs debut.
But, it would be remiss not to credit David Poile. Nashville's GM has dealt Weber, as well as Seth Jones (in a pair of hockey deals), over the last few months, and has maintained what might be the most contemporary top-four unit in the NHL with Subban, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis.
Edmonton deals Taylor Hall to New Jersey for Adam Larsson
Peter Chiarelli's quest for a No.1 defenseman remains incomplete, but his process, now for the first time, has now come at the expense of something significant.
Taylor Hall isn't without imperfections; there's a reason that he isn't lionized quite on the same level as the game's greats. But the fact of the matter is, he produces at the very highest percentile. His 2.49 even-strength points per 60 minutes over the last four season trails Sidney Crosby, Jamie Benn, and the 45 games of Connor McDavid.
Essentially, Hall's value is on par with a No. 1 defenseman for which Adam Larsson is not. Rather, Larsson is a project, and a 23-year-old who - once polished - could turn into a legitimate top-pair defender on a good team. But like many defenders who have washed up in Edmonton in recent seasons, he'll immediately be sent in over his head.
It's a high price to pay for potential, and potentially stunted growth.
Stamkos decides to stay in Tampa Bay
Steve Yzerman will beat you in a game of chicken.
After months of speculation, dissecting the psychology of "liked" tweets, and teams moving mountains to create cap room, Steven Stamkos will not be an unrestricted free agent, though he was courted like one.
With teams now permitted to speak to free agents before July 1, Stamkos did have the opportunity to truly explore other pastures, but ultimately decided, and with days to spare, that the offer Steve Yzerman left on the table weeks ago was the best one for him.
With that decision, Stamkos will go on to net a truck-load of lightly-taxed dollars, while his GM's legend grows.
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