NHL Trade Analysis: What Flames, Canadiens, Panthers got in their deals

On Wednesday night we saw a couple more deals roll in as it appears the trade market is beginning to break open a little.

The Florida Panthers got one piece of business done, adding defenceman Ben Chiarot from the Montreal Canadiens for a price that will be highly debated: a 2023 first-rounder, prospect Ty Smilanic and a 2022 fourth-rounder. However it works out for the Panthers, it's a no-doubt win for the Canadiens, moving an expiring contract and getting a first-round-pick-plus in return as they go on a re-tooling adventure.

And, we'd bet, the Panthers aren't done yet.

The Calgary Flames also made their second deal of the season, acquiring Calle Jarnkrok from Seattle for second-, third-, and seventh-round picks in each of the next three drafts. GM Brad Treliving continues to bet on his team breaking through and Jarnkrok will bring versatility, familiarity and an option for either the second or third line.

And, perhaps, they're not done yet either.

We'll see what the next few days hold ahead of Monday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline. Before that, here is a look at the two Wednesday night deals. What are Florida, Montreal and Calgary getting in the three players acquired?

TO FLORIDA: BEN CHIAROT

Strictly by the numbers, Chiarot doesn't shine through. A 44.47 shots for percentage and 43.14 expected goal percentage don't indicate a player who forces play in the right direction. But the Habs were, let's say, not in a great place this season and Chiarot was leaned on by an injured unit quite heavily. He averaged 23:33 in ice time per game — getting over 24 minutes in most of his final games in Montreal — and made it hard on opponents in every one of them.

He's a physical defensive defenceman first, hard on the boards, in front of the net... really in all the conventional places you want a defender to be tough in the playoffs. At the same time, he is responsible with the puck and will get you a few goals a year (seven so far in 2021-22).

Only looking at that one piece of information, you might think the price of a 2023 first-rounder, Smilanic, and a fourth-rounder, was aggressively steep. And, especially considering Chiarot may only be a rental, you might end up being right about that. But there's an aspect to Chiarot's game that perhaps doesn't get captured by those measures.

"He's a hard guy to play against," Paul Byron said after the deal. "He punishes you. He's a guy you win playoff series with. Everyone talks about analytics now and regular season and there's a part of that in the game for sure, finding good players. But once Game 1 of the playoffs starts, everyone knows the game changes. You need the guys you want to go to war with. You need guys that can wear teams down, wear good players down. And by Game 4, 5, 6 when you get guys that don't really want to go into the corners anymore, don't want to get the pucks first, that's when the series starts to change."

Chiarot should better fit into a somewhat reduced role and will certainly benefit from playing with a Panthers offence that fiercely pushes the puck up ice. If he's a mainstay in the top four he could slide in next to Radko Gudas to make a nasty pair, or else play behind an underrated Gustav Forsling. The Panthers may not be finished yet, either, and the vision for how it will fit may still be forming.

Chiarot is a defenceman you want in the playoffs, and he had a solid run with Montreal last year. But the price is striking, one day after Josh Manson went to Colorado for a prospect and a second-rounder. With bigger fish Hampus Lindholm and Mark Giordano out there, it will be fascinating to see what the returns for those rentals now look like.

Scout's Analysis from Jason Bukala:

Fantastic pick up for the Panthers. A veteran “D” who played upwards of 25 hard, physical minutes per night last playoffs for Montreal. He likely won’t be tasked with having to contribute on the PP in Florida. He will be used in key matchups at even strength and on the penalty kill.

Big body. Capable with the puck, too. Some secondary offence. Florida now has a defined heavy/physical/shut down pairing in Chiarot and Radko Gudas.

TO CALGARY: CALLE JARNKROK

The Flames have likely already made their "big" move acquiring Tyler Toffoli to fill out their second line scoring and it's one that's worked rather well so far. Jarnkrok may not wind up being the key pickup for the Flames, but he should be a great fit into their lineup.

First is that he's versatile. Coming from the wing in Seattle, Jarnkrok could start at second-line centre in Calgary, sliding in alongside scorers Toffoli, and Andrew Mangiapane. If Darryl Sutter wants, he could move Jarnkrok back out to the flank at any time.

With two scorers to lean on for offence, Jarnkrok can settle in and do what he does best: making smart plays on defence, fast forechecking to force mistakes and making counter-offence difficult for opponents. Jarnkrok interrupts and, in the offensive end especially, it should create more opportunities for his quick-strike wingers if this is indeed the line he lands on.

With the best line in hockey above them on the depth chart, and Mikael Backlund pivoting a tough trio below them, the second line will settle with an upgrade on either Sean Monahan or Adam Ruzicka to a more steady and complementary Jarnkrok in his prime. For $1 million against the cap, you can't really go wrong.

Or, if Jarnkrok does get used on the wing and plays next to Backlund, it would even further solidify a tough defensive trio.

Scout's Analysis from Jason Bukala:

Jack of all trades for Seattle this year. Averaged just under 17 minutes a game. His role, game to game, included primary minutes at even strength with some PP and PK thrown in. Quick, Uber competitive, battles. There is nothing shy about his approach. Can match up against second-line opponents.

Not naturally gifted offensively, but has an ability to extend plays with his battle in the hard areas. When he spills over the boards you can trust what he gives you.

TO MONTREAL: TY SMILANIC

Prospect analysis from Sam Cosentino:

Ty Smilanic is an under-the-radar prospect who is in his sophomore year at Quinnipiac University. Last year, his 14 goals and 21 points were good enough to be named to the ECAC All-Rookie team. Quinnipiac went on to win the ECAC. This year, the numbers are similar with 13 goals and 22 points, but in nine more games from a season ago. 

Smilanic grew up in Colorado where he once played for Joe Sakic. He continued his minor career in Michigan before returning to Colorado to play for the acclaimed Thunderbirds program. From there he went on to the USNTDP. 

During his draft year (2019-20) while playing with the USNTDP, he was limited to just 46 games due to a broken right wrist and a bout with mono, thus limiting his production to just 31 points. Those factors all contributed to why he slipped to Florida in the third round.

The hallmark of his game is his great skating ability. Smilanic gets up and down the ice effortlessly and he is agile enough to create space by cutting cross-ice or turning quickly. He possesses decent hands with above-average finishing ability. He plays with pace and is known for his tireless work ethic. He projects as a middle-six forward with some offensive upside, who should be an effective penalty killer at the next level. 

Don’t underestimate the input of Martin St. Louis on this trade. Both St. Louis and Jeff Gorton have kids in the ‘02 and ‘03 age group respectively, which would’ve made them very familiar with the play of Smilanic.