NHL Rumors: Grading Hayes and Blackwood trades, Karlsson suitors, PLD stays in LA

It’s NHL rumors season. Ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, Kevin Hayes and Mackenzie Blackwood have new homes, Erik Karlsson has interest, and Pierre-Luc Dubois is now in Los Angeles.

NHL rumors: Grading the Kevin Hayes and Mackenzie Blackwood trades

The NHL world is in Nashville, Tenn. for the Draft on Wednesday, June 28. But ahead of the big day for the prospects realizing their childhood dreams come true, trades have taken the spotlight. For the Metropolitan Division, things are going to look very different.

Over the weekend, there were reports and speculation that the Philadelphia Flyers were looking to trade forward Kevin Hayes. Initial reports were that he was going to be dealt to the St. Louis Blues, but there was a hold-up. Yet on Tuesday, the two sides agreed to terms, with Hayes going to St. Louis, with Philadelphia receiving a 2024 sixth-round draft pick and retaining 50 percent of his 2023 cap hit.

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Also on Tuesday, the San Jose Sharks brought in a new goaltender. The New Jersey Devils sent over Mackenzie Blackwood in exchange for their 2023 sixth-round pick.

With these trades being officially announced by the teams, let’s hand out some grades.

NHL trade grades: Who won the Kevin Hayes trade between the Flyers and Blues?

When a trade is announced, it’s a given that fans will begin analyzing it before determining who won the transaction initially before the players take the ice or when the draft picks are utilized.

Blues trade grade: B-

The Blues were shocking sellers at the trade deadline this past season when they dealt Vladimir Tarasenko to the New York Rangers and Ryan O’Reilly to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, the team is looking to head back in the right direction and felt that bringing in Hayes could help them with that.

This past season, Hayes played in all but one game for the Flyers. This was a far cry from the previous two years, in which he missed time due to injury. In those 81 games played, Hayes scored 18 goals and put up 36 assists.

All the Blues needed to do was give up a sixth-round pick and for the Flyers to take on 50 percent of his salary for this upcoming season to acquire Hayes, who now reunites with former Rangers teammate Pavel Buchnevich. If Hayes put up solid numbers, this could be an absolute win for the Blues.

Flyers trade grade: D

The Flyers are in a tough spot. General manager Danny Briere and team president Keith Jones are looking to free up cap space, due in part to the contracts that former general manager Chuck Fletcher gave out. The Flyers dealt Ivan Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a three-team trade also involving the Los Angeles Kings. They are in the process of punting Tony DeAngelo’s contract back to the Carolina Hurricanes one year after they gave up draft capital to acquire him and sign him to a two-year, $10 million contract.

Hayes was among Fletcher’s big signings, handing him a seven-year, $50 million contract. The forward was Philadelphia’s top scorer easily. But, with the team strapped for cap space, they needed to get rid of some contracts, and Hayes was among them.

The sixth-round pick is better than nothing, but t does still sting that the Flyers have to take on half of his cap hit this upcoming season.

NHL trade grades: Who won the Mackenzie Blackwood trade with the Sharks and Devils

The Sharks have a new goalie, and the Devils got some extra draft capital. So, who won the trade between both organizations?

Sharks trade grade: C

The Sharks had one goaltender under contract for the upcoming season, and that was Kaapo Kahkonen, who posted a .883 save percentage, 3.85 goals allowed average, and a 9-20-7 record. James Reimer and Aaron Dell are both unrestricted free agents, so there was a need to bring in another goalie, and the free-agent market was shallow.

Blackwood does have significant starter’s experience during the start of his career with the Devils, which is something that the Sharks covet. But, he’s not exactly a long-term answer at the position or a player that will help a team go on a deep run in the playoffs. Let’s not forget, the Devils brought in Vitek Vanecek last offseason with Blackwood under contract for one more year.

This past season, Blackwood posted a .893 save percentage, a 3.20 goals allowed average, and a 10-6-2 record in 22 games played (20 starts).

Blackwood is a restricted free agent, but one has to imagine that the Sharks will work out a deal.

Devils trade grade: C

The Devils had no plans in reuniting with Blackwood. Not only did they acquire Vanecek last offseason, but they saw the rise of Akira Schmid in the playoffs. Schmid helped stave off the rival Rangers in the opening round of the playoffs. Getting any sort of return is deserving of a passing grade, especially for a player set to become a free agent.