March 3, 2019
Written by:
Tony Androckitis
INSIDE AHL HOCKEY HQ -- Everyone knows about the NHL's trade deadline day. That was last Monday, of course. But, teams in the American Hockey League (AHL) looking for that extra push down the stretch have until Monday, March 4th at 3 p.m. ET to negotiate and execute trades at the AHL level.
What this means is that NHL teams can exchange NHL-contracted players in the minors with other teams for the remainder of the season, though the team receiving a player in advance of Monday's AHL trade deadline are unable to be called up to the NHL. The original team still retains the players' NHL rights.
An example of this came on Thursday when the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes completed a minor league trade, sending goaltender Dustin Tokarski from the Rangers' AHL affiliate Hartford to the Hurricanes' affiliate in Charlotte. In exchange, the Hurricanes sent defenseman Josh Wesley to the Rangers where he was assigned to Hartford.
UNDERSTANDING THE AHL TRADE DEADLINE
As the AHL enters the stretch run portion of the regular season, teams around the league find themselves in one of three positions - firmly in the postseason picture, fighting for postseason contention or long since out of realistic playoff contention.
What to watch for as the AHL deadline approaches is teams pushing for the postseason in need of some depth for the stretch run, and teams out of contention looking to open up some roster spots for younger players to play larger roles and get extra ice time before the early summer.
AHL Trade Deadline 2019
Unless something's changed this season, the AHL trade deadline should be March 28, one week after the NHL deadline.
Unfortunately, no teams are out of realistic contention with Lehigh Valley being the furthest out, seven points behind WBS with a game in hand and only Bridgeport in between. WBS can extend that lead to nine points with a win tonight against Cleveland.
Philadelphia and NJ are unlikely trade partners, but a minor trade of a late pick or future considerations for vet RHD Adam Clendening could help Utica's depth.