That Escalated Quickly...

Catch your breath...In what was one of the craziest days of activity not on trade deadline or free agency in the history of the NHL, All Star caliber players were being shipped around like their trading cards and another cashed in big time.

Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman stuck to his guns and got Steven Stamkos signed for a reasonable cap hit of $8.5 million per year (assuming you think that sort of money is reasonable for playing a game...but we digress). Stamkos was set to be the crown jewel of a deep free agent class with the like of Andrew Ladd, Kyle Okposo and David Backes set to hit the market. By getting him at this reasonable amount Yzerman has allowed himself some flexibility when it comes to signing other restricted free agents in Kilorn and Kucherov, big pieces of their playoff success the last two years. 

In Montreal PK Subban was traded for fellow Canadian gold medalist Shea Weber in a move that left many searching their recently blown minds. Subban is younger and has a higher cap hit. There are many suggesting that the savings were a big issue in a cap world and can't be discounted. The issue of race has also been brought up and can't totally be ignored but is likely well down the list of issues. PK is a star in this league and an asset where ever he goes. He's also outspoken and emotional. The NHL is a league that isn't big on flashy personalities that could detract from the team, Just look at guys like Alexander Ovechkin, Brent Burns and Jeremy Roenick in his day. All have at times been question for either show boating, being eccentric or running their mouths more than they should. Rumors persisted of discontent in the locker room of which this may be a telling sign, but whatever issues there may have been there is no doubt PK contributes to an already deep blue line will be embraced in Nashville, provided they win. Shea Weber has been their franchise and I am shocked at the people who think this is a one sided deal. Weber is a Norris Trophy nominee and probably should have beat PK the year he won, an all star many times over, and a gold medal winning defenceman who played huge minutes in that tournament. His complete game is probably more polished and he posses on of the league's hardest shots. Not exactly a bag of pucks.

And as they say, thing happen in threes, so the Oilers made sure. They shipped Taylor Hall to New Jersey for defenceman Adam Larsson. With the drafting of another forward on Friday the writing seemed to be on the wall that one of their star forwards was out and Hall was tapped as the man to go. He likely brought the biggest return and signing free agent Dmen isn't much of an option this summer. Edmonton has had trouble attracting free agents anyway so this ensures they get what they desperately needed. Larsson has a big upside and this is what the Oilers and GM Pete Chiarelli are banking on. Hall is a proven commodity and should fit well with pal Adam Henrique in New Jersey. They needed to pay a price and they have. Time will tell it it pays off.