{allcanada} NHL trade deadline: Five surprises from a slow day

 

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The 2016 NHL trade deadline was, to put it lightly, a dud. It lacked quantity and quality. Many general managers didn't seem keen on parting with picks for rental players.

Here are the five surprises from this trade season:

Canucks hang on to Hamhuis, Vrbata. It seemed like a lock that Vancouver would move its veteran defenseman, who has a full no-trade clause, to one of the two teams (Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks) that he was willing to go to. Hamhuis was not interested in going to an Eastern Conference team. Not only did general manager Jim Benning fail to close on a deal with Hamhuis, he also didn't trade forward Radim Vrbata. Both players will become unrestricted free agents July 1. This was a mistake by Vancouver's front office, which should be all about collecting young assets and picks. (Kristen Shilton)

Wild were absent. Are we to assume the Minnesota's Wild problems were all solved with the firing of coach Mike Yeo and hiring of John Torchetti? The Wild are two points out of a playoff spot, yet they didn't address their biggest need: goal scoring (they rank 17th). Minnesota had defensemen to dangle. (Jimmy Hascup)

Stars overpay for Russell. Jyrki Jokipakka, prospect Brett Pollock and a conditional second-round pick should net a better player than Russell, who is known for his shot-blocking. Dallas needed a crease clearer, someone who could make them tougher to play against in their own zone. Instead they got a guy who spends way too much by his own net; he's a 43.6% possession player. He's a bottom-pairing player. (Jimmy Hascup)

Leafs can't find partner for Parenteau. Toronto was actively shopping forward P.A. Parenteau, an unrestricted free agent this summer. GM Lou Lamoriello said after the deadline that trade talks "didn't work out." Regardless, it was a miss by the Leafs, who have spun off many of their rentals. At 32, Parenteau is having one of the best seasons of his career, and any return could have helped the rebuilding Leafs. (Kristen Shilton)

No hockey trades. We didn't see any significant player-for-player trades with guys who have term on their deals. The Edmonton Oilers didn't ship out anyone, such as Nail Yakupov. Scott Hartnell stayed in Columbus. Jonathan Drouin remained with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The upcoming draft could be eventful. (Jimmy Hascup)

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