Who won day of monumental moves?
The NHL free agency period will open in less than 48 hours, but it’s hard to believe it will top the excitement of Wednesday. A look at the winners and losers from the frenzy:
PREDATORS TRADE SHEA WEBER TO THE CANADIENS FOR P.K. SUBBAN
Who wins: The Nashville Predators because they get younger by four years and secure a player who will fit perfectly in coach Peter Laviolette’s attacking style. Subban’s offensive style and personality will win over fans in Nashville. The team’s top four defensemen are 27 or younger.
Who loses: No one, really. The Montreal Canadiens will be happy with Weber, a low-maintenance star with a powerful slap shot and a physical side. He’s intimidating. With the addition of Andrew Shaw and Weber, the Canadiens will be a lot harder to play against next season.
STEVEN STAMKOS STAYS WITH LIGHTNING
Who wins: The Tampa Bay Lightning and Stamkos. The Lightning are a contending team, and Stamkos is the leader and face of the franchise. He has agreed to re-sign for eight years and $68 million, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person requested anonymity because the contract had not been announced. Stamkos has everything he could want or need in Tampa. He is surrounded by talent. He has a shot to win the Stanley Cup. He has popularity, and just enough privacy.
Who loses: The Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and New York Islanders. All of them wanted a chance to sign Stamkos on Friday.
TAYLOR HALL TRADED FROM THE OILERS TO THE DEVILS FOR ADAM LARSSON
Who wins: New Jersey Devils. They were last in goal production (2.22 per game), and Hall, 24, is a proven scorer. The game is becoming faster, and Hall can make plays at high speed, giving the Devils a game-breaker up front.
Who loses: The Edmonton Oilers, for now. It’s difficult to believe that the Oilers couldn’t have gotten a better return for Hall. GM Peter Chiarelli will take some heat. But the deal will look better if the Oilers land winger Milan Lucic. If Larsson doesn’t play at a high level, fans in Edmonton will be rough on him.