In a surprising turn of events, the Colorado Avalanche made a significant move just before the NHL trade deadline, prompting their Central Division rival, the Minnesota Wild, to respond with an acquisition of their own shortly thereafter. The Avalanche notably added defenseman Ryan Lindgren and winger Jimmy Vesey to their roster, receiving them from the New York Rangers in exchange for a second-round pick, a fourth-round pick, promising young forward Juuso Parssinen, and experienced defenseman Calvin de Haan. Additionally, the Avalanche secured the rights to unsigned prospect Hank Kempf as part of the deal.
It was revealed by a source with insider knowledge that the Rangers will be shouldering half of Lindgren’s salary in this transaction, a detail that was not officially disclosed when the trade was initially announced. Furthermore, the Rangers are set to receive the more favorable second-round pick between their own and that of the Carolina Hurricanes, as well as the superior fourth-round pick between those of Carolina and the Vancouver Canucks in the upcoming draft.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild made a move of their own by acquiring pending free agent winger Gustav Nyquist from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. Notably, the Predators agreed to retain half of Nyquist’s salary as part of the deal, a decision that came after Nyquist was scratched from a game against the New York Islanders in anticipation of the trade to the Wild — marking Nyquist’s second transfer to Minnesota in three years.
Predators coach Andrew Brunette commended Nyquist, describing him as an exceptional player with versatility and strong leadership qualities, making him a valuable addition to any team. The Avalanche’s trade with the Rangers represents their second major transaction of the season, following the earlier departure of top-line forward Mikko Rantanen to the Hurricanes in exchange for Martin Necas.
As the trade deadline looms, there is speculation that Avalanche’s General Manager Chris MacFarland might have more moves up his sleeve. On the other side, the Rangers, who are currently trailing by four points in the race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, made the decision to part ways with Lindgren and Vesey to ensure they did not lose them for nothing at the end of the season.
New York’s interest in Parssinen had been brewing for some time, with the 24-year-old Finn poised to step into a depth role previously held by countryman Kaapo Kakko, who was dealt to the Seattle Kraken earlier in the season. Despite Lindgren’s struggles this season, the Avalanche are hopeful that his left-handed shot will bolster their defensive lineup for a deep playoff run. Vesey, who saw limited ice time in New York, now looks forward to potentially expanding his role with the Avalanche.
In conclusion, the NHL trade landscape continues to evolve as teams make strategic moves to position themselves for success in the postseason.
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AP freelance writer Scott Charles in
