Thursday morning, the Devils and Ducks rocked the hockey world with a big trade involving two big name players.
Adam Henrique is off to Anaheim along with Joseph Blandisi and a 3rd-round pick in 2018 in exchange for Sami Vatanen and a conditional pick.
Conditions on the third-round pick sent from #Ducks to #njdevils: pic.twitter.com/iXkUpaIjC7
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 30, 2017
The deal makes sense from both sides and seems like a good deal for both teams on the surface.
With so many injuries, the Ducks were in desperate need of a playmaker up front and the Devils really wanted a right-handed shot on the backhand, which Vatanen is.
Devils went after RHD Shattenkirk last July 1 and clearly felt the need was still there for a top RHD and get him in Vatanen. Ducks still deep on D and needed a top-6 F. They were in on Matt Duchene but lost out. Now get Henrique. Both teams fill perceived needs. https://t.co/n0zGkwR60Y
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 30, 2017
Wow! 27th ranked offence, battling for a playoff spot, the @AnaheimDucks pulled the trigger on a major deal to get back on track. https://t.co/Bde50k6TMs
— Gino Reda (@GinoRedaTSN) November 30, 2017
Ducks and Devils have been discussing this trade for the past 10 days. Impressive transaction. https://t.co/oP4cpfFs4U
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 30, 2017
Devils first kicked the tires on Vatanan back in June around expansion draft time but Anaheim made the Theodore trade with Vegas so it kind of went away... but once Ducks lost out on Duchene a few weeks ago, obviously things started to pick up again between NJ and Ana
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) November 30, 2017
Ray Shero #njdevils makes another deal with Bob Murray #ducks. It's worked out pretty well for Shero so far: Palmieri, Kunitz, Lovejoy (the return), now Vatanen.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 30, 2017
Devils get the top 4 D they desperately need. Vatanen is 26. Signed for 2 more seasons after this one. Adam Henrique has been a good Devil.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) November 30, 2017
Ray Shero turned Adam Larsson, Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi and a conditional pick into Taylor Hall and Sami Vatanen.
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) November 30, 2017
With Adam Henrique traded, Andy Greene and Travis Zajac only two Devils remaining from 2012 Eastern Conference championship team.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) November 30, 2017
Adam Henrique is part of the fabric of the Devils organization since he came up here. He was a face of the franchise. But the Devils are desperate for D help. But Henrique is a 20-30 goal scorer. But Vatanen is an elite young defenseman pic.twitter.com/3wdLdLT8tl
— timjoyce (@timjoyce) November 30, 2017
Vatanen is signed for two more seasons after this season, at a $4.875 million salary cap hit. He's an aggressive, puck-moving Finn. Henrique was a big voice/leader in the locker room. He will be missed, but Devils needed to sure up their blue line.
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) November 30, 2017
Lol honestly BYE HENRIQUE. Give me all the defence pic.twitter.com/y0XQF7kaPf
— Mandie (@mandiemcrae) November 30, 2017
Last pic I took of Henrique in Hoboken on Tuesday. He meant a lot not only on the ice, but off. pic.twitter.com/jNNzgf3DDF
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) November 30, 2017
Obviously, #NJDevils fans will always remember Adam Henrique fondly... but I think the Devs suddenly got a whole lot better with Sami Vatanen on the right side. Ray Shero filled a big need.
— Sean Hartnett (@HartnettHockey) November 30, 2017
The Ducks used to have Fowler, Lindholm, Vatanen, Manson, Montour and Theodore as a future D core. Vatanen and Theodore are now gone, but Henrique is a versatile top-9 F. He'll be good in Anaheim.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) November 30, 2017
I know this is gonna hurt a lot of people, but this was a great trade. Vatanen is a major upgrade on D, Blandisi wasn't going to stick here, and Henrique.....shit, I will miss him, but if we're being honest, it just hasn't worked out lately. I wish them both the best. #NJDevils
— Gino - As they say in hockey, let's do that hockey (@Total_NV) November 30, 2017
It's fine to be upset about losing Henrique. He was a good dude. But if you don't see that the Devils are CLEARLY better after this trade, I've got nothing for you
— Michael (@ThatsJustPr1me) November 30, 2017
Adam Henrique will forever be loved by #NJDevils fans for his overtime series-clinching goal against the Rangers in 2012. Ironically, as it stands, Joseph Blandisi’s last goal as a Devil was also in overtime, against the Rangers (3/21/17).
— Leo Scaglione Jr. (@LeoScaglioneJr) November 30, 2017
Oh man bitter sweet feeling.. good luck in Anaheim Uncle Rico 😞 @AdamHenrique will never forget the 2012 eastern conference final HENRIQUE, ITS OVER
— StevefromNewJersey (@NJDDiehard) November 30, 2017
Devils fans went from “Henrique it’s over :)” to “Henrique it’s over:(“
— Jess Andriani (@jessxandriani) November 30, 2017
Why does it have to be Henrique
— Paul Carluccio (@PCarluccio15) November 30, 2017
I loved Henrique but this is a GREAT trade for New Jersey. Anyone who doesn't like it is biased.
— Amanda (@Amandaeldracher) November 30, 2017
God damn, Henrique’s an important guy to fans here in Jersey. Just goes to show how proactive Shero is here. Not afraid to make deals that are difficult such as this.
— lauren (@nhllauren) November 30, 2017
Man that’s a reasonable price for Vatanen, further proof that we don’t need to trade one of the Marner or Nylander to acquire a top 4 D so let’s squash that nonsense now lol #TMLTalk https://t.co/9vcazAADOW
— DartGuy (@LeafsMaz20) November 30, 2017
This trade is going to help a young D-core.
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) November 30, 2017
Vatanen - a 26 year old D - with experience internationally and in the NHL.
Will help with development of of Butcher, Severson, Santini etc.
Mueller turned out to be a big loss for Devils, he was playing great when he got injured.
Sami Vatanen is a good second-pair defender, useful on the penalty-kill and very useful on the power-play, very average usage and deployment. pic.twitter.com/2mTioP0gb4
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) November 30, 2017
Interesting side note: Sami Vatanen had a Limited NTC (12 teams he'd allow a trade to) that was set to kick in next season (2018-19).
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) November 30, 2017
By rule of the CBA, the #Devils now have the option to honor that clause, or have it nullified seeing as it has yet to take affect. pic.twitter.com/dzBiNKM5CI
I mean Vatanen is a great defensemen.... but Rico? pic.twitter.com/qNKaPw7voK
— Ian Pulz (@HockeyPulz) November 30, 2017
NJ GM Shero: "In acquiring Sami, we bring on a right shot, top-4 D who can play in all situations. This move also gives us contract certainty on the back end for the next 2+ years. When acquiring a defenseman like Vatanen, you have to give back quality assets/players in return."
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 30, 2017
We just got Sami Vatanen for a 2nd liner (at best), an AHLer, and 3rd rounder. Ray Shero is a GOD!!!!
— Michael (@ThatsJustPr1me) November 30, 2017
Shero has added Kyle Palmieri, Taylor Hall, Marcus Johansson, and Sam Vatanen all thru trades within the last 2 years. Unreal
— Sky is falling (@Cogssss) November 30, 2017
Ray Shero turned Adam Larsson, Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi and a conditional pick into Taylor Hall and Sami Vatanen.
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) November 30, 2017
