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NHL trade deadline: Breaking down Friday's deals as they happen

Originally posted on The Score

NHL trade deadline: Breaking down Friday's deals as they happen

Quick-hit analysis of big-league moves completed Friday.

Sabres re-up Zucker

Buffalo signs F Jason Zucker to 2-year, $9.5-million extension

The Sabres have taken an attractive pending unrestricted free agent off the market. This might seem like a weird move for the Eastern Conference's last-place team. But Buffalo's situation is unique. The club's desperate for committed veterans during a record-setting postseason drought, and Zucker, 33, is clearly invested in the program. He'll take a minor haircut to stay in Western New York, dropping to $4.75 million annually from $5 million. Zucker's a well-traveled winger with wheels, a good shot, and power-play utility. He has 44 points in 54 games since signing in the offseason. The attention now turns to Alex Tuch. Is the top-line winger part of the solution or a premium trade chip for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams? Tuch, 29 in May and on pace for 31 goals and 64 points, has one year and $4.75 million remaining on his contract.

Sharks cash out on Walman

Edmonton acquires: D Jake Walman
San Jose acquires: 2026 first-round pick, F Carl Berglund

The Oilers needed help on the back end, and Walman will provide it. He's a puck-moving blue-liner with a heavy shot and good defensive stick. The price is a tad steep, especially because Walman is a pending unrestricted free agent, but I'm ultimately OK with this swap from Edmonton's perspective. They addressed a need. The larger takeaway: The rebuilding Sharks are masters at asset management. General manager Mike Grier acquired Walman, a perfectly fine top-four defenseman, in a dumbfounding offseason cap-dump trade by the Red Wings. Grier didn't send anything to Detroit, instead reeling in a second-round pick for taking on Walman's contract. Months later, Grier flipped Walman for a top-12 protected first (AHLer Berglund is an irrelevant piece). Two thumbs up for Mr. Grier. One thumb up for Oilers GM Stan Bowman. Two thumbs way down for Wings GM Steve Yzerman, whose team is in the middle of a playoff race and could use a player like Walman.

Avalanche land Nelson

Colorado acquires: F Brock Nelson, F William Dufour
New York acquires: F Calum Ritchie, D Oliver Kylington, 2026 first-round pick, conditional 2028 third-round pick

The Avs win the bidding war for the top "rental" center on the market minutes before midnight Thursday. Nelson is a significant upgrade at second-line center as he bumps an overwhelmed Casey Mittelstadt to 3C. Nelson, a three-time 30-goal-scorer who snipes and facilitates, is one of the NHL's most complete forwards. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, he's lethal off the rush, competitive in front of the net, and defensively responsible. This trade is a huge blow to division-rival Winnipeg, another Stanley Cup contender that was hot for Nelson. The Jets are now forced to settle for Plan B - perhaps the Flyers' Scott Laughton. The Islanders, who are retaining 50% of Nelson's $6-million cap hit, did well here. Ritchie's a blue-chip prospect with 2C potential and the first-rounder (which could be bumped to 2027, depending on multiple conditions) is no small piece for a retooling franchise. Dufour is an unexciting 23-year-old AHL forward. Kylington is a non-factor for both teams; the fringe NHL defenseman was flipped hours later to Anaheim for future considerations.

John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Originally posted on The Score

Published: 4 months ago

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