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Prior to the NHL trade deadline, the Maple Leafs executed a transaction.
On Thursday, Toronto transferred center Nicolas Roy to the Colorado Avalanche, receiving a conditional first-round selection in the 2027 draft and an additional fifth-round pick scheduled for June.
Should the first-round pick be among the top 10, the Avalanche will alternatively provide the Maple Leafs with their unprotected first-round pick from 2028. Furthermore, Toronto acquires the least favorable of Colorado’s trio of fifth-round selections in the 2026 draft, completing the exchange.
This transaction indicates the initial action among several projected by the Maple Leafs before Friday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline. The team has significantly fallen short of expectations this season and faces slim prospects of reaching the playoffs, following a streak of nine consecutive appearances.
Roy accumulated five goals and 20 total points across 59 matches while playing for the Maple Leafs, having joined them through a sign-and-trade agreement with the Vegas Golden Knights during the off-season period.
The 29-year-old athlete, originating from Amos, Quebec, who is associated with a $3 million USD salary cap charge extending until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, has registered a career total of 73 goals and 186 points over 428 NHL regular-season contests, competing for the Carolina Hurricanes, Golden Knights, and Maple Leafs.
Chosen as the 96th overall selection in the 2015 draft, Roy achieved a Stanley Cup victory with Vegas in 2023, contributing to a post-season record of 10 goals and 32 points across 79 appearances.
Golden Knights strengthen central roster
In other news, the Vegas Golden Knights, currently leading the Pacific Division, acquired center Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals. The transaction involved a 2027 third-round pick, a 2029 second-round pick, and promising netminder Jesper Vikman.
Vegas previously bypassed others in January, prior to the Olympic hiatus, to secure defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Flames. Now, General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has reinforced the forward lines of the squad.
Dowd, at 35 years old, provides the Golden Knights with a player skilled in penalty killing and a strong defensive presence at center, also capable of contributing offensively. This season, he has recorded 16 points and 43 blocked shots in 55 games played.
Hailing from Alabama, Dowd’s contract extends through the 2026-27 season, with a manageable salary cap impact of $3 million.
There remains a possibility that the Golden Knights might seek to acquire a goaltender. Although the Avalanche boast the league’s top team save percentage at .916, Vegas ranks as the second-lowest with .880, spread across goalies Adin Hill, Carter Hart, Akira Schmid, and Carl Lindbom.
Flames receive significant assets for Weegar
The Utah Mammoth obtained defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from Calgary in exchange for three second-round selections in the upcoming draft, along with Olli Maatta and uncontracted prospect Jonathan Castagna.
Weegar, at 32 years of age, provides the Mammoth with a seasoned athlete who can handle extensive ice time as they strive for a playoff berth in the Western Conference. He was required to forgo his complete no-trade clause to sanction the transaction and commit to Utah as a lasting residence, given his contract extends through 2031 with an annual salary cap impact of $6.25 million.
“MacKenzie represents a premier defenseman, possessing the kind of leadership and diligence we seek in a top-tier defensive player,” stated Bill Armstrong, the Mammoth’s general manager. “Securing MacKenzie strengthens our defensive corps as we persist in our drive for the playoffs, and he will prove to be a tremendous asset to our organization both during games and within the locker room.”
Parayko to remain with Blues: sources indicate
An agreement had been reached between Buffalo and St. Louis concerning the transfer of Colton Parayko to the Sabres, contingent upon the defenseman’s approval to waive his no-trade provision.
On Thursday, Parayko communicated his decision not to waive the clause, consequently invalidating the proposed exchange, according to an individual acquainted with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press. This source requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions.
Under the terms of the eight-year, $52 million agreement he executed on September 1, 2021, Parayko was granted complete no-trade protection until 2028. His current contract extends until 2030.
Which additional player exchanges might occur?
The transaction involving Dowd suggests that the Capitals intend, at least partially, to divest players, as they currently trail by four points for the second and ultimate wild card position in the Eastern Conference, despite having competed in three more matches than Boston, who occupies that slot. Forward Brandon Duhaime, an impending unrestricted free agent, and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk are additionally considered potential trade assets for Washington.
With approximately 26 hours remaining until the cut-off, numerous other teams that have announced their willingness to engage in transactions are anticipating further agreements. Vincent Trocheck continues to be with the New York Rangers, and head coach Mike Sullivan offered an ambiguous response regarding whether the center, a prominent name on various trade lists, would participate in Thursday evening’s game against Toronto.
- Ottawa acquired forward Warren Foegele from Los Angeles, in return providing a second-round selection to the Kings. The clubs additionally exchanged third-round picks. Foegele accumulated seven goals and two assists in 47 appearances for the Kings during the current season, marking his second term with the squad.
- After reaching the West final three times consecutively, the Dallas Stars transferred Mason Marchment to Seattle to modify their roster composition. On Thursday, they utilized the third-round pick received from the Kraken in that earlier deal to obtain Michael Bunting, 30, a player known for many similar tenacious attributes; Bunting, 30, has been involved in a deadline trade for three successive years.
