Seattle Kraken: Best trade partners in each division for Mark Giordano
PNWS Staff
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Metropolitan Division – New York Rangers (by Ed Stein)
New York Rangers – 67 points (3rd place), $17.5M current cap space.
Why the Rangers
The Rangers rebuild is over. NYR may be in third place, but they are four points behind Pittsburgh for first place. This team is a contender with a great up-and-coming goalie. They need some stability.
The trade
Seattle Kraken send Giordano and Calle Jarnkrok to the New York Rangers for Vitali Kravtsov, Libor Hajek, and 2022 fourth-round pick.
Why it works for the Seattle Kraken
After some hard feelings between Kravtsov and the Rangers about not making the team out of camp last September, the young wing is on loan to Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL. He’s an exciting player with an outstanding ability to finish plays, while not ignoring his defensive responsibilities. With some maturity, Kravtsov is a legit top-line NHL talent.
Hajek projects as a mid-to-bottom pair NHL defenseman. The type of steady but unspectacular blueliner who takes care of business in his own end that can stay in the league for a long time once he makes it permanently.
Why it works for the NY Rangers
The Broadway Blueshirts need Giordano. First, they have four really good young defensemen Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller, and Ryan Lindgren. After that, it’s been a mix-match of whatever retread NHLers and not ready for prime-time rookies. With Giordano, the Rangers can make three solid pairs.
Jarnkrok fits nicely on NYR’s third line with Filip Chytl and Drayden Hunt. He might also get some time on the second power play unit. It won’t be New York’s only trade, but acquiring Giordano and Jarnkrok from Seattle will be their most important.
Metropolitan Runner-up
The Washington Capitals could use Gio (who couldn’t) but would have to clear out enough cap space in another deal to make it happen. Also, is Washington willing to part with a first-round pick or Connor McMichael?
Final Thoughts
Originally, I was against trading Giordano for anything less than a first-round pick, but Kravtsov is too big of a carrot to pass up.