Tom Fitzgerald changed teams twice at the NHL trade deadline as a player and knows how it feels.
As interim general manager of the New Jersey Devils, he didn’t wait until deadline day to trade captain Andy Greene or forward Blake Coleman. Beating the buzzer by more than a week, Fitzgerald recalled his own rough experiences of getting dealt late.
“I wish I was traded a week and a half before so I could get adjusted a little bit quicker,” he said.
Greene and Coleman are among more than a half-dozen players who are already adjusting to a new team because of an early trading flurry. The deadline isn’t until Monday, but some major moves are already done thanks to a clear definition between buyers and sellers, contenders interested in the same possibilities, and reasonable prices around the league.
“Over (last) weekend, a lot of things started to pick up,” said Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake, who has already made three trades and could still be active. “It seems after the All-Star break, a lot of teams start finding their direction on where they’re going, what’s available and prices.”
Los Angeles got things going by dealing goaltender Jack Campbell and versatile forward Kyle Clifford to Toronto in early February, and this week traded winger Tyler Toffoli to Vancouver and defenseman Alec Martinez to Vegas. On Tuesday, Pacific Division rival San Jose traded defenseman Brenden Dillon to Washington, and the Winnipeg Jets got blue liner Dylan DeMelo from Ottawa.
A couple of days earlier, the Devils traded Greene to the New York Islanders and Coleman to the Tampa Bay Lightning within hours of each other.
It isn’t taking much time to close the book on some big trades.
“I think there’s probably five or six teams talking to the same teams about the same players,” Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said. “And it sorts itself out for each team and then it happens quickly because then you’ve got to react to what happens with your other conversations.”
MacLellan didn’t rule out the Capitals making another move. But by getting Dillon early, he could be in the lineup for three extra games — which is significant given how tight the standings are.
It helps Dillon get acclimated, too. The 29-year-old who was considered the top pending free agent defenseman available didn’t have to sit around and wonder when San Jose would trade him.
“I’m sure you guys can read the papers just as much as we are, or social media,” Dillon said. “It was definitely nice just from the mental side of things to get that done with.”
The NHL several years ago moved the trade deadline from March to February to give teams more time to benefit from acquiring players. Fitzgerald was traded in March each time and played 11 and 15 regular-season games, respectively, after getting moved.
Times have changed.
“A lot of teams like to get to things early,” Fitzgerald said. “(Teams) want you to mesh with the team quicker rather than later. … A little bit longer runway is useful.”
DEADLINE DAY — All the early trades does not mean Monday might be quiet. The New York Rangers could wait until the last minute to trade forward Chris Kreider or one of their goaltenders. The Devils, Kings and Senators still have assets, too.
A few days after Montreal traded defenseman Marco Scandella to the St. Louis Blues, speculation continues to swirl around the Canadiens. Coach Claude Julien said, “I don’t know that the noise is done,” and players involved in rumors are trying to block it out.
“Anything can happen, obviously,” winger Tomas Tatar said. “I’m not too worried now. It’s just part of the business.”