A 3 Way trade ?

Yes ! It can happen, even in today's NHL. I was a bit surprised myself when I heard about the trade that sent Steve Downie packing his bags for Colorado and saw Kyle Quincey be a part of the lighting roster for a grand total of five minutes. After those five glorious, yet insignificant, minutes Quincey was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for a 1rst round pick in the 2012 NHL draft. I will take some time to analyze what this trade means for each team... 

To Colorado: 

Steve Downie 

Downie currently has 28 points and 121 penalty minutes. In the trade, Colorado gets a player that can play in a top 6 role and can also be very effective on a 3rd line. He provides a scoring touch and some grit.... That grit will be much needed to protect the Avalanches young forwards such as Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene. Downie is currently under contract for this year at an annual salary of 1.85 Million dollars and is a restricted free agent at the end of the season. 


To Tampa Bay


1rst round pick (2012)


In the deal, Tampa received Kyle Quincey only to flip him to Detroit for a 1rst round pick in the upcoming draft. The pick will be useful for Tampa Bay because they will be able to either use the pick for a more significant trade or draft a solid prospect. However, the lighting gave up a relatively young, cheap power-forward for a late first round pick...  


To Detroit 


Kyle Quincey 

The Red Wings receive Quincey in the three way trade. Quincey will provide depth for the long playoff run that the wings hope will end in a Stanley cup. Quncey was acquired to provide a safety net for the red wings in case Brad Stuart is moved. Detroit payed a hefty price for his services but they are going for the big prize this year. 




Who won the trade ? 


This trade was strange to say the least, I think that Colorado made off well in the trade. They got a great gritty forward for a D-Man that has fallen out of favor in Colorado. The Tampa Bay lighting are not clear winners or losers simply because the value of that 1rst round pick is unknown. However, I do believe that the 1rst round pick will be used to get help between the pipes. Finally, Detroit is the clear looser in the trade. They over payed for a depth D-Man but they can afford to overpay because they have many young prospects and their drafting in later rounds is phenomenal.