Yesterday the hockey world was rocked with breaking news as three very high profiles players made the news for either extending their contracts or being traded. With less than 24 hours to go before free agent season begins, more trades could be on the way today. Here is a recap of the deals done yesterday:
The Montreal Canadiens have traded defenceman P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenceman Shea Weber. 27-year-old Subban scored six goals and 45 assists in 68 games last season for the Canadiens. Weber was Nashville’s captain and scored 20 goals and 31 assists in 78 games last year for the Predators.
The Edmonton Oilers traded forward Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for defenceman Adam Larsson. Hall, the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, had 26 goals and 39 assists in 82 games last season. In 381 career NHL games with the Oilers, he has 328 points and has led the team in scoring in three of the last four seasons. Larsson, meanwhile, had 18 points in 82 games last season for the Devils.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is staying put in Tampa Bay. A new agreement was reached two days before 26-year-old Stamkos had the opportunity to test free agency, where he was expected to command lucrative offers from numerous bidders, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings. Instead, the two-time NHL scoring champ chose to stay with the franchise that selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft. The deal is reportedly an eight-year deal worth $68 million dollars.