Confirmed Trade: [ANA/NJD] Vatanen & conditional 3rd for Henrique, Blandisi & a 3rd

[Sojourn]

One of my favorite things about Henrique is that he's showing a high level of on-ice intelligence. He's just consistently been making the right plays for us. Even when he isn't scoring, I think most of us have felt pretty good about his play.

Also agreed 100% with Elf. I'm sure New Jersey is very happy with the player they got, and Anaheim certainly is. Objectively, I'd even say that it's fair to say New Jersey probably got the better player just because Sami is a defenseman, and he's playing a key role for them. Henrique has been great for us, but filling a need on the blue line for New Jersey is probably a bit more substantial than Henrique and his versatility, which is no knock on Henrique. I'd make that trade again in a heartbeat, and be happy to. Anaheim needed a player like Henrique, and New Jersey needed one like Vatanen.

 

[135ace]

I get what you said but my point is at the time of the trade Anaheim got the better player and I still think Henrique is the better player in the trade. He's been great for the ducks

I tend to agree, but a lot of people undervalue and under-appreciate Henrique. That being said I also think Sami has quite a bit of upside (which we're starting to see now that he's found his groove). Anyway, I think it's a great hockey trade for both teams and both players hold quite a bit of value regardless.

 

[HockeyAnalystGenius]

This is an old trade. Please stop the discussion.

 

[Foppberg]

This is an old trade. Please stop the discussion.

Not even four months, not old at all.

 

[paragon]

I don't think that's fair to say. The big question with Vatanen was whether or not he could find his groove without receiving sheltered minutes. He couldn't here with us, but he's been doing it with New Jersey as one of their best defensemen. It's not like he's bad defensively either. He's been putting up production without losing the defensive side of his game (from what I've seen) and has not been sheltered at all.

I don't think that was ever the question. The question was if the coaching would stop holding him back. He's still the same player he's been for a few years now. He didn't become any better because of the trade, he just doesn't have to play in Carlyle's system.

For sure he wouldn't have gotten the same opportunity with the Ducks. I think both sides won this trade, but the biggest winner was Vatanen.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Vatanen now with 25 points in his last 37 games, Devils fans are very happy with the trade. Anaheim has a first line who can mask when Henrique runs cold.

 

[NotNeutralFan]

This is probably one of the rare deals that both teams would redo if knowing the outcome after ~40 games.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

This is an old trade. Please stop the discussion.

You sure you're an analyst? (Looking at your username...)

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Yeah Vatanen is soo good. He's a very strong #3. NJ wins this trade in a vacuum but Henrique is a good player

 

[Kaako Kappo]

This is an old trade. Please stop the discussion.

God forbid people want to discuss a trade after they have some actual information and sample size on the players and impact it had.

 

[JetsHomer]

This is an old trade. Please stop the discussion.

Nobody cares what you think about a discussion. If you don’t like it don’t read it. Incredibly simple concept

 

[Sojourn]

God forbid people want to discuss a trade after they have some actual information and sample size on the players and impact it had.

Especially since the discussion has been very polite, and even optimistic about how the trade was beneficial to both teams.

If the discussion was degrading into attacks or was no longer relevant to the thread, I would close it, but that isn't the case.

 

[rt]

Only speculative hot takes are welcome.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Yeah Vatanen is soo good. He's a very strong #3. NJ wins this trade in a vacuum but Henrique is a good player

Not really but okay.

 

[DFAC]

Seems like a win-win deal from an outside POV

 

[VoidCreature]

I was a big fan of Vatanen's even before the trade, and after getting to watch him consistently the last couple months he's even better than I expected. I knew he had that dynamic offense, but he's been so sound in his own zone.

He can play 27 minutes a night against the opponent's best players and not miss a beat. He's easily better than Adam Larsson. I'd hesitate to call him a #1, but he seems every bit a top pairing defenseman to me.

Definitely miss Rico, but I'd do this trade again in a heartbeat. I can't wait to see what Sami can do when we get him a better partner than an aging Andy Greene.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

Not really but okay.

I think Vatanen has like 3 less points than Henrique and has been a stud on d

 

[Whaddagoal]

In my eyes, Sami Vatanen is unequivocally and by far the best defenseman on the Devils blueline since we acquired him.Okay save the first 5 games since he's settled in, he is the #1 guy.

The gap is huge in a lot of fans eyes between the #1 and #2 guy. He eats tons of minutes, amazing offense play, fairly solid defensive play. He's getting all the tough match-ups with Greene as his partner (who is not as good as he used to be)

I would venture to say he is one of the best all around defenseman that NJ has had quite some some time, as well. Maybe arguably so, but its looking harder to debate it.

 

[91Fedorov]

In my eyes, Sami Vatanen is unequivocally and by far the best defenseman on the Devils blueline since we acquired him.Okay save the first 5 games since he's settled in, he is the #1 guy.

The gap is huge in a lot of fans eyes between the #1 and #2 guy. He eats tons of minutes, amazing offense play, fairly solid defensive play. He's getting all the tough match-ups with Greene as his partner (who is not as good as he used to be)

I would venture to say he is one of the best all around defenseman that NJ has had quite some some time, as well. Maybe arguably so, but its looking harder to debate it.

I'm really happy that Sami is doing well there. I loved him as a player here. I'm pretty happy with Henrique too though. He's fitting in very well for us. Solid, smart play and a better center than I was expecting.

This really was a rare trade. We both got solid players.

 

[MartyOwns]

This really was a rare trade. We both got solid players.

yep, pretty much this

 

[My3Sons]

This is hf. People demand the fanbase compare apples to oranges and declare a “winner” in the abstract without any reference to team goals! That is the time honored way of doing things on these boards and it will not be broken. Now - one fan for each team step forward to be tied together at the wrist. A circle will be drawn around you and a set of hero and Corsi charts will be placed at your feet. First one out of the circle gets to declare victory and then realize their life hasn’t changed one iota.

 

[Deuce22]

The Devils won this trade.
The Ducks won this trade.

Vatanen would not have had the opportunity to flourish like this for the Ducks.
Henrique has found his niche as Ducks two way centerman.

 

[MakoSlade]

I'm really happy that Sami is doing well there. I loved him as a player here. I'm pretty happy with Henrique too though. He's fitting in very well for us. Solid, smart play and a better center than I was expecting.

This really was a rare trade. We both got solid players.

What I like best about Sami is his compete level. He plays hard and fights and scraps and never lets up. I was not expecting that!

And it sounds like Henrique hasn't changed a thing...which is a good thing. He was great for us.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

This is an old trade. Please stop the discussion.

What are your thoughts on the trade?

 

[pheasant]

This is an old trade. Please stop the discussion.

Nobody cares what you think about a discussion. If you don’t like it don’t read it. Incredibly simple concept

Some might say it's (*looks at username*) ... genius.

(Yeaaaaaaaah Sunglasses gif)