Navigating to the Northwest - Seattle Navigators Expansion NHL 18 - Dsimp13's Blog

Dsimp13's Blog

Navigating to the Northwest - Seattle Navigators Expansion NHL 18

Posted on March 16, 2018 at 05:13 PM.

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SEATTLE NAVIGATORS TRADE DEADLINE

The first trade deadline of the Seattle Navigators has come and gone, and GM Dan Simpson worked his phone to try to improve his team.

Three trades were made, and time will tell to see how they work out for the Navs.

Seattle trades Mark Letestu, 2018 5th & 6th rounders to Nashville for 2018 3rd & 4th rounders

Seattle continues its process of stockpiling top of the draft picks. Letestu is a decent player having a good year for a third line center. However, it is believed that his camp is not interested in being a Navigator for the future, and sources indicate the team does not see him in their future plans either. So the trade was made, seeing the Navs move up in the draft at the cost of lower picks.

Seattle trades Justin Williams (retaining $0.950m in salary), Esa Lindell, Matt Puempel, 2018 2nd rounder (DAL) & 2018 6th rounder to Boston for Brandon Carlo and 2018 1st rounder (WPG)

This trade was a little more emotional, as Justin Williams had been a leader in the locker room. His career is towards the end however, so he agreed to be dealt to Boston. He will have a better shot at success with the Bruins. Esa Lindell was acquired to fight to take Jonas Brodin's role in the top 4, and the organization was high on him, but it was a no-brainer to include him if the end result was a more established young defender in Brandon Carlo. Carlo looks to be a front runner to fill out the top 4. The Navs possessed three 2nd round draft picks, so they could afford to lose one in an effort to gain a third 1st rounder in the upcoming draft. Puempel was one of a few young AHLers Boston was interested in (one name thrown around was Seth Griffith) who are having great years for the Huskies. Puempel was on the last year of his deal, so was deemed the most expendable.

Seattle trades Cam Ward and a 2018 7th round pick to Los Angeles for Jeff Zatkoff and a 2018 2nd round pick

Much like the Williams trade, Cam Ward was sent in good faith to a team in contention for a playoff spot. The 2nd round pick was much more valuable to the Navigators, as GMDS now has six picks in the top two rounds (3 firsts, 3 seconds). A 7th round pick in this draft was worth the cost of acquiring a true backup goalie, who will spell James Reimer to finish out the season.

And thus concludes the 2017-18 trade deadline. GM Dan Simpson seems happy with the moves, as he leaves with an extra first round pick plus a good young defenseman without touching much of his future.

Check out soon for the finish of the inaugural season of the Seattle Navigators!