{"id":491952,"date":"2026-03-07T21:15:24","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T21:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/491952\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T21:15:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T21:15:24","slug":"two-team-captains-on-the-move-the-pacer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/491952\/","title":{"rendered":"Two team captains on the move \u2013 The Pacer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Featured Image: John Carlson (74) of the Washington Capitals crosses his own blue line with the puck in an away game. (Photo Credit to James Guillory-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Another NHL trade deadline has come and gone, and there have been a lot of trades to break down as we approach the postseason. Some teams are continuing to sell, and some teams have bought heavily to make a playoff push.<\/p>\n

Chicago Blackhawks continue their rebuild<\/p>\n

\"\"Nick Foligno (17) captain of the Chicago Blackhawks skating in a home game. Photo credit to Michael Reaves\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Blackhawks have been rebuilding for quite some time now, and they freed up a lot of cap space. Their series of trades started with an exchange<\/a> that sent longtime defenseman, Connor Murphy, to the Edmonton Oilers for a second round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft. Murphy was the longest tenured Hawk on the roster, having played in Chicago since 2017.<\/p>\n

Colton Dach and Jason Dickinson were traded<\/a> also to Edmonton for forward Andrew Mangiapane and a first-round pick in the 2027 draft.<\/p>\n

Finally, the most detrimental trade wasn\u2019t even a trade. Captain, Nick Foligno was sent<\/a> to the Minnesota Wild for future considerations. This was a move of respect from the Blackhawks, giving their captain a chance to play with his brother, Marcus Foligno, and to pursue a Stanley Cup Championship.<\/p>\n

With Foligno\u2019s departure, the young Connor Bedard is almost certain to assume the captaincy next season, ushering in a new era of Blackhawks hockey. Also, with all of the cap space freed up, this leaves more money to sign Bedard to an extension this summer.<\/p>\n

Washington Capitals ship out Carlson\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"John Carlson (74), defenseman for the Washington Capitals, crosses the blue line, passing the puck. Photo Credit to Daniel Kucin Jr of Imagn Images.<\/p>\n

In a trade that shocked Washington teammates and fans, longtime defenseman for the Capitals, John Carlson was shipped <\/a>to the Anaheim Ducks for a first round pick in the 2026 or 2027 draft and a third-round selection in 2027. If the Ducks fail to qualify for the playoffs they can keep their 2026 pick.<\/p>\n

Carlson has been a long time member of the Caps, as he was drafted there in 2008, and was a member of their 2018 Stanley Cup champion team. In an interview<\/a>, Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals expressed his dismay with the trade of one of his longtime teammates.<\/p>\n

Ovechkin stated \u201cObviously a sad day. Probably the toughest day of my career, talking personal wise. It sucks. It\u2019s sad.\u201d<\/p>\n

One must wonder how much longer the 40 year old all-time NHL goal leader will play in Washington. He will either retire soon, or perhaps get shipped off in a deal for a younger prospect.<\/p>\n

Nazem Kadri returns to Colorado<\/p>\n

\"\"Nazem Kadri (91) of the Calgary Flames celebrates a goal. Photo Credit to Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

In a recent move right before the deadline, the Calgary Flames sent<\/a> forward Nazem Kadri and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Colorado Avalanche in return for a conditional 2027 first-round pick, conditional 2027 second-round pick, prospect Max Curran and Victor Olofsson.<\/p>\n

Kadri was a player for the Avs\u2019 2022 Stanley Cup championship, making this a meaningful return. The Avalanche currently sit at the top of the Central Division, and have been consistently the best team in the league, with a stacked roster consisting of forwards Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, defenseman Cale Makar, etc. This certifies the Avs even further as Stanley Cup contenders.<\/p>\n


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