Confirmed Trade: [CHI/PIT] Sam Lafferty for Alex Nylander

[Gurglesons]

Lafferty always struck me as a pretty big dude with good wheels who was nothing if not a pain in the ass when he played Washington. Maybe Chicago wants more sandpaper. Nylander has more upside but probably not as suited to an energy role if he’s not in a scoring role.

Lafferty was likely going on waivers with Malkin being healthy.

It is a cap move with the Penguins saying maybe Nylander brings something.

 

[Riptide]

Put me down as someone who didn't see Nylander as much of anything at all in my AHL viewings of him. I guess a switch might flip someday.

Probably true... but we essentially gave up nothing for him. If he amounts to nothing, I don't really see it as much of a loss. We have Boyle who can play 4C - when Blueger isn't there. And as for a L4 winger, we have Simon, O'Connor or any number of AHL guys who can fill in that roll (Zohorna, etc). So even if AN does nothing and is gone in a year or two... is it really much of a loss? On the flip side, if AN does finally figure out how to be an NHL player, then it's a nice pickup for us. Realistically it's a no risk - low reward, with some potential for a high reward if AN does something at the NHL level down the road. Plus he's waiver exempt for at least this season.

Honestly I like the deal for PIT. Give up a depth player who's 12-14 on the chart (if that) for someone who was a high pick and seen as having some skills. If it works out, great. If not, no real loss.

 

[AHLdepth]

This is so much like the Gaudette for Highmore trade that it's almost like CHI owed the hockey gods some cosmic karma.

But in all seriousness it sounds like a trade that doesn't make sense to make, but ultimately doesn't register as good or bad a year from now

 

[Esq]

Seems that could have given up less to get Lafferty. That said, Nylander doesn't have much value.

 

[Siludin]

This is a reversal of logic of Chicago's Highmore for Gaudette trade.

Does Lafftery kill penalties?

 

[Empoleon8771]

This move likely overall doesn't make a difference in the long run because Nylander probably ends up a bust, but it's just still bizarre for the Hawks to do it. Nylander's definitely nothing that valuable, but why would you trade anything for Sam Lafferty?

 

[kerrabria]

Nylander in 2019-20:

65 GP
10 goals (all even strength)
26 points (24 even strength)
10.6% shooting
14 blocks and 29 hits
25/23 Takeaways/Giveaways
in 12 mins TOI

Seems like he missed all of 2020-21 with a knee injury.

What am I missing here? He seems like a guy who probably belongs in the NHL but needs to work through the kinks and find consistency. Lafferty is an AHL plug.

 

[Drumman44]

What am I missing here? He seems like a guy who probably belongs in the NHL but needs to work through the kinks and find consistency. Lafferty is an AHL plug.

The knee thing is bad. You are also missing that our organization is also bad.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Lafferty always struck me as a pretty big dude with good wheels who was nothing if not a pain in the ass when he played Washington. Maybe Chicago wants more sandpaper. Nylander has more upside but probably not as suited to an energy role if he’s not in a scoring role.

Lafferty turned into a less psycho version of Zac Rinaldo. In other words, his offensive game disappeared, he wasn't very good defensively, and took a lot of dumb penalties. The only thing he brought was running around looking for a big hit.

A bit disappointing because when he first came up he seemed like he had decent hands to go along with a willingness to hit and his obvious skating ability. He looked like a guy who could score you 10 goals per year to go along with physicality and speed in the bottom six. But somewhere along the way, his offense completely eroded.

 

[LeafChief]

Love the move for Pittsburgh. Give up nothing for someone that could be a good reclamation project.

I wish the Leafs had done this.

 

[57special]

Probably true... but we essentially gave up nothing for him. If he amounts to nothing, I don't really see it as much of a loss. We have Boyle who can play 4C - when Blueger isn't there. And as for a L4 winger, we have Simon, O'Connor or any number of AHL guys who can fill in that roll (Zohorna, etc). So even if AN does nothing and is gone in a year or two... is it really much of a loss? On the flip side, if AN does finally figure out how to be an NHL player, then it's a nice pickup for us. Realistically it's a no risk - low reward, with some potential for a high reward if AN does something at the NHL level down the road. Plus he's waiver exempt for at least this season.

Honestly I like the deal for PIT. Give up a depth player who's 12-14 on the chart (if that) for someone who was a high pick and seen as having some skills. If it works out, great. If not, no real loss.

I think NYlander might have more value as a winger in the NHL'er, if he has any at all. I truly don't know what is needed with him...maybe a kind word, or a kick in the ass? He's got the tools, for sure.

 

[kerrabria]

His dad is known for being something of a meddler, but his biggest issue is how soft he is. Nylander is the softest player I've ever seen suit up for the Sabres. Contributes absolutely nothing outside of his limited offense.

29 hits and 14 blocks in 65 games for Chicago.
For context, that season, Olofsson had 10 hits and 16 blocks in 54 games. Mittelstadt had 11 hits and 8 blocks in 31 games.

Not saying that you're wrong because obviously you're the one who watched him, but just from the stats, it looks like he may have improved in the softness arena.

 

[AveryStar4Eva]

Nylander already being on his 3rd team is crazy. I don’t see him sticking in the NHL. Seems like a top six or bust type of player and he isn’t exactly lighting it up in the AHL right now

 

[The Red Line]

Chicago couldn't even get like a 5th round pick or something?? They got a nothing player who won't last in the NHL past this season most likely.

I just don't understand them not getting SOMETHING of value. Even future considerations ffs.

 

[axecrew]

I think when it all comes out you're going to find that either Nylander wanted out because he was in rockford...OR...chicago had finally had enough of the prima dona routine where he didn't even know the name of his own goaltender. Watched him specifically one game and every shift he spent the majority of it between the blueline and the red line looking for that stretch pass/breakaway pass...With all of chicago's problems at the NHL level and with his AHL coach now in charge at the NHL level...he STILL didn't get a call-up. Others went before him...THIS should be the most telling of all.

 

[SomeDude]

This is a reversal of logic of Chicago's Highmore for Gaudette trade.

Does Lafftery kill penalties?

Hard to tell because he's usually the one in the box.

 

[Peat]

This is a reversal of logic of Chicago's Highmore for Gaudette trade.

Does Lafftery kill penalties?

He can - can be a RH faceoff guy too.

Thinking about it a little more soberly, this could work out for Chicago. His athleticism is pretty rare. He's been pretty horrific in a Pens jersey barring his first 10 games... and last 10 games, where he's generally been okay. If he can build on that - and that's not just him being carried by people - then maybe he's a player worth remembering.

Right now I like the risk-reward ratio for the Pens though.

 

[wej20]

Lafferty always struck me as a pretty big dude with good wheels who was nothing if not a pain in the ass when he played Washington. Maybe Chicago wants more sandpaper. Nylander has more upside but probably not as suited to an energy role if he’s not in a scoring role.

Problem is he's not consistently a pain in the ass for opposition. With his size, speed and lack of everything else he needs to be a pest on the forecheck every game but he isn't.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Huh. OK. I saw PIT/CHI and came running to see if Flower was coming home. Not that that would necessarily be a good thing, but it would have been entertaining.

Pen's fan take: Lafferty is a 4th liner with speed, intermittent physicality and a tendency to take stupid penalties. He's toned the latter down this season though and has looked effective. We've got plenty of depth so OK, sure? I don't really know where Nylander fits, other than on the farm team. This is a meh move for me. If Chicago is looking to add... something... to their 4th line then Laff will do it for them.

 

[Mrs Crosby's Dryer]

His dad is known for being something of a meddler, but his biggest issue is how soft he is. Nylander is the softest player I've ever seen suit up for the Sabres. Contributes absolutely nothing outside of his limited offense.

Well then he is absolutely perfect for “Sullivan” hockey! Can’t wait to see the majority of the Pens board salivating and penciling him as a lock for 25 + goals alongside Malkin.

Having said that, Lafferty is no big loss and it makes sense from a personnel management standpoint. Geno is very close to coming back and Nylander is waiver exempt and can easily be sent to WBS.

 

[PAZ]

This seems like the type of trade that would be made if Nylander didn't already pass through waivers.

 

[Drew Doubty]

This is so much like the Gaudette for Highmore trade that it's almost like CHI owed the hockey gods some cosmic karma.

But in all seriousness it sounds like a trade that doesn't make sense to make, but ultimately doesn't register as good or bad a year from now

This is a reversal of logic of Chicago's Highmore for Gaudette trade.

Does Lafftery kill penalties?

The same Gaudette that Chi threw on waivers this year and now can't make a struggling Ottawa team? The same Highmore that is playing good 4th line minutes for the Canucks and is an effective PKer?

 

[Rodgerwilco]

I think when it all comes out you're going to find that either Nylander wanted out because he was in rockford...OR...chicago had finally had enough of the prima dona routine where he didn't even know the name of his own goaltender. Watched him specifically one game and every shift he spent the majority of it between the blueline and the red line looking for that stretch pass/breakaway pass...With all of chicago's problems at the NHL level and with his AHL coach now in charge at the NHL level...he STILL didn't get a call-up. Others went before him...THIS should be the most telling of all.

Where does this remark come from? Not saying it's not something that happened, but I had just never heard of that.

 

[Edgelord]

I would take him on the Leafs as a reclamation project. Willy has bought in and his work ethic has been great. So maybe working out, practicing and playing with Willy will help Alex start to realize his potential.

 

[Darren McCord]

This seems like the type of trade that would be made if Nylander didn't already pass through waivers.

he is wavier exempt