DC Makes Big Trade

[Devise 4,475]

Mid-season trades are something of a rarity in the VHL, and even then usually it's always been swaps that make team sense or something minor. Even the trade deadline often comes and goes without too much action. Still, sometimes you have a few odd blockbusters to talk about and one of those occurred today in the VHL.

 

The DC Dragons gave away their S72 1st as well as S66 Center John Frostbeard in a trade with the New York Americans in exchange for a S73 TOR 3rd, a S72 NYA 2nd and S67 Center Boris the Forest. 

 

Frostbeard was in his second season with DC after a solid 30 goal 64 point campaign with the Dragons last season. A consistent 30+ goal scorer for the last 3 seasons Frostbeard is is slightly older and a little less well rounded than the Younger Boris. That and the contract situation explains why DC would have to give up a first, as they expect to improve their offensive game upfront. Boris had 69 points last season and 71 before it, and this season has 33 points in 36 games. This trade clearly sets up DC as trying to push into a competitive window not only for S71 but also beyond. Boris represents an upgrade on the center front, for a team stacked on centers with lots of options for lines. 

 

The struggling Americans decided to leverage a player that was a bit younger to get what could prove to be a vital 1st round pick. While a downgrade and slightly older, Frostbeard should keep them competitive and in the hunt this season and allow them to avoid having to go through any lengthy rebuild in the event that they miss the playoffs this season. They remain a good young team, and leveraging a young asset for a slightly older fill in player with the opportunity to get even younger in the draft makes good sense given the current status of the club. 

 

This is the definition of a hockey trade, and I'd say both teams made out with exactly what they were looking for. DC signalling that they are in the hunt to compete as soon as this season given how close the standings are means Boris could likely factor more prominently in the overall standings picture for DC. The hunt for the top of the NA and for that matter the league remains alive even as the season hits the halfway point.