Defensemen Seth Jones and Ryan Lindgren, along with forward Gustav Nyquist, found new homes as a trio of Central Division teams made significant moves ahead of the imminent NHL trade deadline. The shuffle began on Saturday with the Colorado Avalanche securing Lindgren and forward Jimmy Vesey in a deal with the New York Rangers.
Shortly thereafter, the Minnesota Wild responded by acquiring forward Gustav Nyquist, a pending free agent, bringing experience to their roster. In another noteworthy transaction, the struggling Chicago Blackhawks traded Seth Jones, sending the veteran defenseman to the reigning champion Florida Panthers.
As the NHL trade deadline approaches this Friday, these transactions mark significant strategic decisions for the teams involved. The Rangers received promising assets in return, including a second- and a fourth-round draft pick, the young talent Juuso Parssinen, seasoned defenseman Calvin de Haan, and the rights to prospect Hank Kempf. Financially, New York retained half of Lindgren’s salary, as detailed by an unnamed source privy to the transaction specifics.
The conditions of the draft picks include New York obtaining either their selection or Carolina’s pick in the second round, and similarly, in the fourth round, depending on which position is more favorable. Minnesota, reciprocating, sent a 2026 second-round pick to Nashville, while maintaining half of Nyquist’s salary. At 35, Nyquist is familiar territory for the Wild, joining them at the trade deadline for the second time in three years. Nashville’s coach Andrew Brunette expressed high praise for Nyquist, emphasizing his versatility and valuable team contributions.
In a separate deal, Florida secured Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick from Chicago in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Chicago will continue to handle 26% of Jones’ salary under the new arrangement. Lukas Reichel of the Blackhawks expressed mixed emotions over Jones’s departure, yet optimistic about his future with a competitive team. Drafted fourth overall by Nashville in 2013, Jones is committed to his contract through 2030. Chicago’s interim coach Anders Sorenson commended Jones for his professionalism and favorable locker room presence, wishing him well on this new chapter.
Florida, already boasting a strong forward lineup with talents like Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, adds further depth with Jones. This move marks the Avalanche’s second major trade of the season, following their earlier exchange that sent Mikko Rantanen to Carolina in exchange for the youthful Martin Necas. There are indications that general manager Chris MacFarland may continue strategic moves as the deadline looms.
Despite Lindgren and Vesey’s departure, the Rangers remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, only four points behind. The trade does not signal a retreat from the season’s competition, but rather a strategic response to avoid losing key players for nothing in the off-season. The addition of Parssinen, a 24-year-old, addresses the depth role left by Kaapo Kakko’s prior trade to Seattle.
Lindgren, although facing challenges this season, brings left-handed blue line depth to Colorado, enhancing their playoff aspirations. Vesey, having experienced limited playing time in New York, now has the potential for greater opportunities with the Avalanche.
