CarterHud

              The St. Louis Blues have acquired F Nikita Soshnikov from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 4th round pick.

               Soshnikov has been dealing with injuries for about all of 2017-18. He\’s just played in three games. Also, the Leafs have a very crowded forward core. To get a 4th out of him is a success.

                For the Blues, they don\’t give up too much, and they get a forward who can be a solid depth player for them if he\’s healthy. It\’s pretty much a bet for them.

                Soshnikov, 24, has no points in three games this season. In his NHL career, all in Toronto, Soshnikov has seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 70 games.

               The Ottawa Senators have acquired D Ville Pokka from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for F Chris DiDomenico.

                The Senators waived DiDomenico right before acquiring Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore from the Kings. They only gave up one forward for them, Nate Thompson, so they would need to send a forward down, for a defenseman, as they also traded Dion Phaneuf in that deal. Pokka is the defenseman they needed, and DiDomenico is the forward they need to send down. He wasn\’t claimed when they waived him, so now DiDomenico can go to the AHL.

               Pokka, 23, hasn\’t played in the NHL in his career. He was acquired by the Blackhawks from the New York Islanders in the Nick Leddy trade. In Rockford (AHL) this year, Pokka has scored 22 points (four goals and 18 assists) in 46 games

                For the Hawks, it seems like they are always adding depth forwards. This trade is another one. DiDomenico won\’t get too much playing time, but he\’ll get some.

               DiDomenico, 28, has scored six goals and four assists for 10 points in 24 games this season. In his NHL career, all in Ottawa, DiDomenico has those 10 points in 27 games.

               I think the Sens win this trade. The only reason I think this is because I think the Sens have a stronger reason to make this trade, that\’s really it.

                We have our first trade of the NHL\’s trade deadline season. In it, the Los Angeles Kings acquired D Dion Phaneuf and C Nate Thompson from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for F Marian Gaborik and F Nick Shore.

                  For the Kings, this trade comes directly after a bad 7-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. In need of defense, the Kings acquiring Phaneuf comes as a semi-surprise, as his names weren\’t in any rumors, and we didn\’t expect him to get traded, but if you think about it, it makes sense. Thompson can be a depth forward to replace Shore.

                  Phaneuf, 32, has scored three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 52 games for the Sens this year. In his NHL career for the Sens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames, Phaneuf has scored 133 goals and 345 assists for 478 points in 954 games.

                  Thompson, 33, has four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 43 games for the Sens this year. In his NHL career for the Sens, Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins, Thompson has scored 52 goals and 70 assists for 122 points in 593 games.

                  For the Sens, they are out of contention for this year, and unload most of Phaneuf\’s massive $7 million cap hit (thanks Cap Friendly) (and they retained 25% of his contract). They don\’t get much in return, though. Gaborik\’s had a really nice career, but he\’s very injury prone. Shore matches up with Thompson. Plus, Gaborik has a big contract has well (4.875 mil, Cap Friendly once again).

                 Gaborik, who turns 36 a day after the trade, has scored seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 29 games for the Kings this year. In his NHL career for the Kings, New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, Gaborik has scored 403 goals and 405 assists for 808 points in 1018 games.

                  Shore, 25, has scored four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 48 games for the Kings this season. In his NHL career, all in L.A., Shore has 14 goals and 35 assists for 49 points in 220 games.

                  I think the Kings win this trade. It\’s more of a cap trade, but the Kings only gain slightly more money in cap terms, and win the skill part too. It should be clear, after a peak at the stats and contracts that the Kings win.

               The Chicago Cubs have signed RHP Yu Darvish to a six year, $126 million deal.

               As pitchers and catchers are starting to arrive to their Spring Training camps. Some players will go to the free agent camp. But, most players would rather sign with a team then go there. Darvish was one of them. As the best free agent pitcher next to Jake Arrieta, Darvish was expected to get over $100 million. He gets $26 million over that, and that\’s not a bad deal.

                The Cubs are going to lose Arrieta, and were looking for a frontline starter to go with Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood. Darvish was their main man, and they were able to get him.

                Darvish, 31, had a 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 209 strikeouts in 186.2 innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers. In his MLB career for the Rangers and Dodgers, Darvish has a 3.42 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 1021 strikeouts in 832.1 innings.

                     The Oakland Athletics have acquired 1B/OF/DH Brandon Moss and LHP Ryan Buchter from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for RHP Jesse Hahn and RHP Heath Fillmyer.

                     For the A\’s, they are able to get old friend Moss back, and get a quality lefty in Buchter. Moss had his best years in Oakland, and will look to retain that success from 2012 to 2014. They just give up two pitchers, including Hahn, who\’s coming off another bad year.

                     Moss, 34, had a batting average of .207, with 22 homers and 50 RBIs in 401 Plate Appearances for the Royals in 2017. In his career for the Royals, A\’s, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies, Moss has a .237 batting average, 160 homers and 473 RBIs in 3521 Plate Appearances.

                     Buchter, 30, had a 2.89 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 65 strikeouts in 65.1 innings for the Royals and San Diego Padres in 2017. In his MLB career for the Royals, Padres and Atlanta Braves, Buchter has a 2.85 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 144 strikeouts in 129.1 innings.

                      For the Royals, this is more of a financial trade for them. They clear up some money so they can try to re-sign either Eric Hosmer or Mike Moustakas, who are still unsigned. If you look at it that way, it starts to make more sense.

                      Hahn, 28, had a 5.30 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 55 strikeouts in 69.2 innings for the A\’s in 2017. In his MLB career for the A\’s and Padres, Hahn has a 4.19 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 212 strikeouts in 286 innings.

                       Fillmyer, 23, has a 3.78 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 320 strikeouts in 392.2 innings in his minor league career.

                       I think the A\’s win this trade. They get the skill. Even though the Royals are getting Hos money, I don\’t think it\’ll help much. That\’s why I\’m saying the A\’s win this trade.