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Trade Deadline Tactics: Unpacking NHL Moves and Shaping NFL Strategies

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Get ready to hit the ice with expert analysis on the NHL trade deadline's biggest power plays and how they're reshaping the Stanley Cup race. We're breaking down the Boston Bruins beefing up their lineup with Patrick Maroon, and the Carolina Hurricanes' strategic snag of both Jake Guentzel and Evgeny Kuznetsov. You won't want to miss our take on the seismic shifts as the Toronto Maple Leafs fortify their defense and the Tampa Bay Lightning makes bold moves for playoff dominance. Plus, discover how the Buffalo Sabres' roster has transformed and what that means for their postseason prospects. It's all about the details, the strategies, and those last-minute deals that could make or break a championship dream. We're not just stopping there; hear our insights on the future of the Vegas Golden Knights, including Mark Stone's situation and the integration of players like Noah Hanifin. 

Switching to the gridiron, the NFL is on the agenda, with a deep dive into the frenzy of free agent signings and the tactical maneuvers shaping the NFC West and North. From the Arizona Cardinals' hunt for a star receiver to the Seahawks' key offensive line investments, every move is under the microscope.  As teams gear up for another intense season, we dissect their strategies, evaluate the new talent, and project how these changes could shift the NFL's power balance. Strap in for a no-holds-barred look at the plays off the field that could lead to the wins on it.

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Jay Vegas:

All right, everybody, welcome back to the biggest guys, like where. I'm your host, jay, listen. Fine, solo today. So we're gonna talk a little bit of hockey. It is it is the NHL trade deadline and it just passed. Waiting on some news, a little late show today, just when they get, waiting to gather all the information on some of these trades. Lots of movement, man. There was a ton of movement in the league today. Lot of teams making their move, trying to make the move through the playoffs. We can't break down all because there was so much going on, but we will highlight some of the big trades that I think might be game changers for their teams and heading towards a playoff push. Maybe put them over the edge, as We've seen the Vegas line move. As far as futures on NHL Stanley Cup winners, edmonton leads the way at a plus 700 Alongside of Florida, but I think that Florida did a little bit more and I think Florida was a better team to go in there. So I'm kind of curious to see how that one is gonna work out with Edmonton being up there with the favorites.

Jay Vegas:

All right, notable moves for the NHL trade deadline. First of what, we'll start with Boston. Boston, add some some girth, they did. They added some defensemen. They had Patrick Maroon who you know is a big-body guy, gets like, gets a front and not afraid to mix it up. That should be a great ad for them. I know they were looking for a little more grit in that lineup and I think they got it.

Jay Vegas:

There were reports that they were looking at trying to move all mark, which is shocking. You know you get the, the Vesna winner, moving him. It's curious because it's it's kind of the theory now is you listen, in any year, any goal he can get there. And look, flurry was traded from the Golden Knights a year after he won his first Vesna. So this is a curious, curious setup with all mark. I know that they favored swam in. I think they're just trying to finalize that room and Not have that same thing they ran into last year in a playoffs with what gold tender was gonna play. But I think that, listen, you couldn't trade them, you couldn't move. I know they were trying to move into the LA Kings. It looks like that's what the reports were saying. They just could not work out the deal and it did not finish in the in the official column, so couldn't get there. I'm sure they were probably looking for to get a centerman to change their lineup and and really help that see move forward and it just didn't get there. So all mark stays with the Bruins. But adding that girth on there, I think that really, really bumps up the the Bruins. I know they've. They've struggled of late looking to make that comeback, looking to get back into that commanding race in the East, which is which is very strong, that East is very strong.

Jay Vegas:

Another another moves in the East, carolina Hurricanes making big waves with the Jake Gensel trade from Pittsburgh and then they go out needing a center and gets a Again he could snets off from Washington Capitals. Well, who's Ness off, of course, came at a cheap price. His kind of Career has been on a downward spiral a little bit. He's just coming out of the player assistance program Trying to make his way back how he fits in that team. I think it's one of those trials where they'll see where it goes. I know Washington has been trying to move on from Cousy for quite a while and they finally made that move. But it does get there with Jake Gensel and Carolina Hurricanes again that that big score they've been looking for. So Carolina's gonna be good.

Jay Vegas:

Toronto is another one, got got bigger on defense. Joel Edmondson, that's a big boy. That's a big boy added some other key defensemen in the net mix made some trades to get better defensively Offensive. They'd never have no struggles off, as those guys can score the best of them. So, looking at a little more depth on defense, I think they did that good job by those guys and and of course, the Tampa Bay Lightning who have been kind of faltering the last Last ten games or so. I believe they're three, three and six and they're last in the last nine. They're looking to make some moves. So they made a couple moves picking up Anthony Claire from San Jose, speedy Ford looking to get some and then Getting Dumba from the coyotes. Listen, dumb wasn't later in his career, but it adds a nice, nice piece right shot the fenceman To that lineup. I think that's a good ad. They didn't have a whole lot of assets to sell.

Jay Vegas:

This team has been trying to win as many as possible with this core group. They've done a great job at it. Listen, they made it to three straight Stanley Cubs, winning two of them. Now they're trying to keep it as much together as possible. It looks like they're. They're trying to prep for one more bigger run at it and we'll see how this goes.

Jay Vegas:

But I thought there were good moves start. There were good moves by by Tampa Bay and of course Florida trying to get stronger, adding in Kyle Ocposo from Buffalo, great locker room guy. You know he's gonna play any position you want. The guy just wants to win, have a chance at winning. He's finally gonna get his chance with Florida. And of course they got for Latterasenko.

Jay Vegas:

Latterasenko from Ottawa Kind of been quiet ever since leaving St Louis, had a great year with New York last year. Then when Patrick Kane kind of joined the mix, terasenko kind of got pushed off. Pushed off the power play, push out of scoring opportunities. The whole. More is not always better kind of situation happened for New York last year and Terasenko was an ad guy out on that. But of course Buffalo Buffalo's in there for just for the mix that they've added a lot of assets and got Boan Boan Byron from Colorado. Byron I think would be the probably number one defenseman on that team if camel car was not there. Byron is a great, great defenseman, great offensive scoring defenseman. I Think they moved away from him looking because he's he's a young player. Looking at that contract he's they're gonna have to pay him soon. Buffalo gets a great talent on the blue line and I think they I think they did well knowing that their their play out push is probably not there this year and probably retooling and looking towards the next year Out in the West. Very interesting story, everybody. It's an arms race in the West apparently.

Jay Vegas:

As Edmonton adds players, adam Henry coming over from Anaheim Anaheim, of course, gathering assets Still in that rebuild mode and that in that city. Unfortunately it's it's been going on quite a while but they did retool. Edmonton adding in ham it's great locker room guy, great 200 foot player. They've played great this year. They, like I said, they are so far the odds favorites in here in Vegas to win the Stanley Cup. We'll see if that keeps going forward. Colorado added eight on many, many hats. They that's a, that's a whole new looking team now Led by Casey Middleson, coming over from Buffalo, gets themselves a second line center, which is it's huge for them. I think they really need that. And also picking up Sean Walker from the Philadelphia Flyers, great defenseman coming there. I know Philly was looking to kind of semi rebuild, maybe move some of these guys that they couldn't pay.

Jay Vegas:

Next season, great moves by Colorado. We'll see if that gels together. I just think maybe they might have done a little too much adding too much so late in the year. There, you know, for most teams is only about 20 games left. See how this goes with the remainder of the season and, of course, our very own VGK. We'll talk probably more about this on the show, on the video show, on on Sunday with my old man.

Jay Vegas:

But big moves, I mean I'll tell you when Vegas swings a swing for the fence, first they get out and pick up Anthony, a math up from Washington. Big guy can get to the net. Great skater. Looked at his stats. I mean he's a. He's a phenomenal skater for a size man he is and he scores a lot of goals from inside and that's, I believe, what the VGK need, especially with stone being out. Need that guy that's gonna get to the front of the net. Was really thinking barbershed was gonna be that guy, but he's kind of retooled his game a little bit. He hasn't really been that guy in front of the net like he was kind of last year. So kind of curious to see how mouth Matha fits in that, of course, picking up Noah Hannafinn probably the best defenseman available on the market. The trade deadline from Calgary picking him up, bringing him in at 27 years old, of course, another UFA I Wouldn't be surprised, because they did give up the first round pick, that there was a. I believe there's going to be an extension that is being negotiated.

Jay Vegas:

I think this is where you see the turn for the Vegas Golden Knights, because the next trade Speaks volumes. I was texting back and forth with Rick. Unfortunately he wasn't able to join. Us had a lot of appointments going on today. I but they trade for Tomas Hurdle. Tomas Hurdle has a huge contract coming out of San Jose and it's a long-term contract. They gave up, I believe, the first round pick.

Jay Vegas:

The way the trade works, calgary got a first round pick. It was supposed to be the 2025, unless VGK used it to get another asset, which they did in the Tomas Hurdle deal. So Calgary will get the 2026 first round trade and the 2025 first round pick will go to the San Jose Sharks. That came along with a prospect and it looks like two third rounds. That's what I'm getting. That's the reports coming out. Nothing's been made official yet. Still waiting to see if that's the official cost of getting Tomas Hurdle to the VGK. He is on long-term IR right now, just having knee surgery in January. They say he should be good to go buy the playoffs Now. Where this trade speaks volumes is it's a big, big contract to pick up for the VGK, who are already up against the cap Now. Talking with Rick, I believe he feels the same way.

Jay Vegas:

It looks like maybe the Mark Stone era could be coming to a close soon. It's been so many injuries for Mark and unfortunately listen at some point you guys start looking at your health. He's not a young player, he's not an old player as well, but he's not in the I don't think he's in the upcoming years. What you're getting out of Mark Stone is what you're getting Now, with all these back injuries, the last of the rated spleen, which is nothing to mess with. I think there's something bigger that we're not hearing coming out of the Knights locker room. Maybe we've seen the last of Mark Stone, possibly. Maybe he tries to make it a go another go at it. It looks like some of these guys are starting to age out. Martinez, of course, is now on IR.

Jay Vegas:

That's where Hannafinn kind of fits in. And now, with Tomas Hurdle coming up and him not being there until he gets to the playoffs. How does that gel mix? Where are you fitting him in? You picked up you picked up Manta From there. I thought that was a great pickup because you can kind of move him up and down the lineup. Picking up Tomas Hurdle and that big contract. You're looking at him being a first line guy. So where are we going with this? Is it true that? Is it truly Mark Stone's era, kind of done with the VGK and it's time to move on? I'm curious and these questions are just going to have to wait until we get to the playoffs find out more information. It's interesting, very, very interesting to see what the VGK are doing here.

Jay Vegas:

I like the Noah Hannafinn deal. Hopefully we can get him locked up for a long-term deal, 27. I know we've got some aging defensemen. Listen, I know when we picked up Petra Angel a few years back, loved it, didn't like the contract. He's going to get paid until his late 30s at a big number I believe it was 9 million or so. He's gonna get aged out and, of course, listen, he's playing a ton of minutes. It's. It's getting up there as far as the minutes he's playing and listen, at that age where you start getting up there, it's, it's taking a stole. So hopefully, with Hanifin coming in, hopefully we're gonna extend him and bring him in and listen. Make another run at this cup because, as you can see, that the VGK are all in. They've gotten rid of most of their assets there. They are not, they are not prospect heavy anymore. They are not looking to build through the draft. Right now it looks like they are going to go all in and hopefully ride this thing out and win another cup and then we'll see what happens next year.

Jay Vegas:

We got a lot of ufa's coming up next year clothing, you know the fan favorite and in marshy is up for a contract at 33 years old. It's, it's getting, it's getting up there. A Chandler Stevenson's gonna be a ufa. This could get really, really interesting. I don't, I don't know where you're gonna go with these, with these guys, cuz it's a moss hurdle. I mean he, do you make him he's? He traditionally plays center. Do you make him the second line center? This Carlson moved down to the third line man.

Jay Vegas:

This this could get interesting really quick here with the Knights and their struggles, as of late, I mean in our minor struggles, it's. It's big struggles, as a. They dropped another one last night and, tremendous fashion, falling behind again early in the game and playing catch up against Vancouver, which we thought was gonna be an interesting matchup. And, of course, as we broke down in the video show on YouTube with me and my father, they they don't have it easier with Detroit coming up and their scoring team because it just looks like we're getting Outscored. I mean it. Our goal tending has not been great. It's struggled as of late our defensive struggle late, lots of turnovers in our own zone. Hopefully we can get the ship right.

Jay Vegas:

But those are some of the key trades. The biggest one, though, I want to know is what you take on Tyler Topoli. That man seems to get traded every year. Everybody talks about how great of a player he is. Man, I've never seen that guy wear more sweaters. I mean that guy's moved so much. I can't remember the last team. Maybe he was with New Jersey, la Calgary, montreal. I mean just that's in the last few years. I mean that's just last last couple, three, three years or so. He's played for that many teams. So this I mean it's very interesting to see what they're gonna do with Tyler Topoli. I mean, the poor man, god, he must be a tremendous renter. I Hope he doesn't have to sign a full year lease. I just hope that will be ease. I'll be as that under there he can just see you can get out of his contract because that poor man moves, moves quite a bit.

Jay Vegas:

But as we talked about those of the guys trying to make move sorts playoffs in the NHL, the trade deadline now over, still waiting for some and maybe some last-minute official announcements come through. But the big ones have stolen the show, the Tomas hurdle coming in in the last, I believe the last five minutes or so of the trade deadline. So that was huge. But we'll see what happens. Well, we're gonna see what happens, especially with the VGK, and see what the future holds and why they went out and picked up such a big contract in Tomas hurdle for that, for this playoff push kind of interesting. So well, a lot remains to be seen and you know, hey, hopefully it all works out. We know, we know we love our nights here in Vegas and hopefully this works out for us. Well, we're gonna talk a little football now.

Jay Vegas:

Moving on to the NFL, looking at some free agent news and needs. Looking around the league, we're gonna break down just a couple of divisions today going Going forward and we'll do probably two divisions a week on each show Highlights and needs until we get to the draft here next month. We're gonna break down the NFC West. First Start with Arizona. Arizona needs quite a bit, quite a bit Wide receiver help would be huge for them. I just don't think they have that big playmaker. Looks like in the draft they might have a shot at getting, of course getting a big Harrison Jr from Ohio State. Looks like he could fall to them in the draft at number four. That remains to be seen. I know there's been speculation that the Pats might get them but I don't know.

Jay Vegas:

The Patriots have never been big on drafting high end wide receivers, especially with the needs they've got. They've got too many needs in that locker room. I'd be interested if they go with a high profile receiver with nobody throwing the ball. That could be interesting to watch out for. They do need D-line. They were 29th in the pass rush rate. They do need to get to the quarterback more especially in today's game in that division with Brock Purdy, matthew Stafford and the Rams offense and, of course, seattle upcoming trying to get better. You got to increase your pass rush, so D-line is where I think they'll go as far as later picks in the draft. But if they do have more of a Harrison Jr at that four spot, you know that's probably where to go and then fill in their defensive needs from there.

Jay Vegas:

Next we'll look at Seattle. Seattle should be interesting. Yeah, new coach Looks like they're looking to try to move on. They were looking to try to move on from Geno Smith. Don't know if that's gonna be possible and then we'll see what's going on. But I think the biggest need for them is in cereal offense of Lyman they did well, but they've got some holes with some free agents. That's their biggest question mark. Lot of free agents. I know they just got rid of their safeties Jamal Adams and Diggs, keondre Diggs, oh, keondre Diggs. I'm sorry but it looks like they should have enough money to bring back some of those key free agents back. It's gonna remain to see where they spend it at. So they can spend it on their linebackers, so they spend it on their offensive Lyman, but that's the biggest need for them right now in addressing that. As far as the offensive line needs, lot of their guys are all free agents.

Jay Vegas:

The Rams are interesting. Rams also need in cereal all the line, but they also need corners. They just they couldn't stop anybody throwing the ball. You had to get in high scoring events with the Rams. Hopefully they can find themselves a decent corner. Window corners are not a strong point in this year's draft. Maybe they moved in, looked into all offensive line, looked at that. Maybe get, maybe pick up some pass rush. I know their anterior defensive line is great but some pass rush on the LA Rams would do. They may hold a lot of good moving forward.

Jay Vegas:

I'm making a run at the NFC West next year Now, of course. Now you got the San Francisco 49ers, the defending NFC champs, offensive tackles of glaring need. On the right side. Mckevitt's was not very good. Believe, he was one on the bottom. As far as you know. Time allotted for pass, I believe it was like 2.6 seconds and his guy was getting getting to the quarterback. It's got to do better, especially when you got Trent Williams on the left hand side, who's going to be 36. How much good football he's got left. Listen, he's still playing at the top of his game. But you know, the older you get, you lose a step every year. So I think they need to dress that the interior off and so on. That's where their biggest needs are. I believe the O line is going to be their needs. It's going to be interesting to see how they work this out. I know they're going to be up against the cap A lot of guys getting contracts. Brandon I, you Wish we're gonna see where things go with with the San Francisco 49ers and see if they can make another Super Bowl. You know Visit, hopefully a win for a change. But you know we'll see what happens there.

Jay Vegas:

Next we'll look at the NFC North. The Vikings will start with them. Of course they need to dance to their quarterback question. Cousins are not cousins. That is the question with the Minnesota Vikings. They are a powerhouse. If they have Kirk Cousins in that offense, got the receivers, got every all the other pieces, all most of the offensive line is coming back.

Jay Vegas:

I believe a One guy their left guard is the only exception who is Going to be possibly a free agent. I think he'll go. He was only actually he was only one of two guards that did not Give up a sack the entire year. So interesting to see. He was one of two guards. I did not give up a sack and it also looks like they're gonna need to probably an edge rusher, pass rusher. Their biggest pass rusher was Daniel Hunter last year and it looks like he's gonna be heading for the open market and trying to get a Big payday. So that's gonna be questions that be answered for Minnesota.

Jay Vegas:

Thanks, we're gonna look at. We're gonna look at the Green Bay Packers. With the Jordan Love experiment in full force in Green Bay, some needs there. It looks like they're gonna need a running back. You know Aaron Jones is getting up there in age. Left tackle has. It was an issue they need to get there. There they have. You're gonna keep Jordan love there. You got to keep him on his feet. He's got the weapons as far as receivers got, two great tight ends who knew. I know I drafted, I Got one in fantasy and of course, the other one emerged as the better. But I digress, I think they're they're big need, of course, is gonna be detackle stopping the run that was the issue they had most of the year and protection in the quarterback. I think that's we're gonna go and and look to improve their team here in the offseason.

Jay Vegas:

Now, what's hot that they did. Each your lines, the guys who probably should have made it to the Super Bowl I know I did it half time. I thought that game was done there. Their needs are still. Another pass rusher Aiden Hutchinson look great this past year. I think they need to bulk that up, move that along. And so your offensive linemen. They've got some guys headed for the, the open markets so that could hurt them. As far as the in the interior offense line, you got to replenish that. That was where their strength was, running that football. Fortunately they didn't do it in the second half against the Niners to get to the Super Bowl. But we'll see if they they retool that moving forward and get that going defensive backs or where they're gonna need both safeties and corners. I know they struggled there last year. I think that's where they're gonna focus, I'm most their attention and probably try to add a pass rusher as well. So look for D back and edge rusher To be one of their biggest key points going into these offseason, along with probably trying to find some depth in that interior offensive line.

Jay Vegas:

Now, of course, the big question the Chicago Bears. What are the Bears going to do? Well, all reports say they're going to go ahead and Go with Kayla Williams. I just we talked about this with Sean on the on the show before. I just think there's more you can get by keeping Justin Fields. I get the whole fact of now You'd have to pay Justin Fields coming up here because it ended his rookie deals, coming up Trying to save that money. Go with Caleb Williams. Curious to see.

Jay Vegas:

Curious to see with with the Chicago Bears. I know they're probably gonna be in the market for a wide receiver as we had talked about getting probably one of the better, better wide receivers in a very deep class. That's coming out. If you watch the combine, these guys look amazing. They look very good. Look, they all look fast. I mean, they're all superiorly fast. I was amazed by the 40 times. They are all fast and this should be an interesting Draft for the Chicago Bears coming up. What did they do? Do they? Did they go with Kayla Williams? It's an exciting thing to watch. I'm curious to see. I believe we are gonna get with Brad on doing a another show live stream on On the first and mad show live from Mad Maddie's. I don't know if that's gonna be set in stone, but that is in the works. Hopefully we can put that together for you guys and you guys can watch us on Facebook, on the Mad Maddies Page, and enjoy, enjoy, breaking down as they make selections, just like they do on ESPN. So it could be a fun night. Please tune in. I'd love to see love, to see reactions from that Love, to see people's comments on that show.

Jay Vegas:

Other news in the NFL Russell Wilson, mr Unlimited visits with the Pittsburgh Steelers looking for a home, now that he'll probably be released by the Demobroncos, as Sean Payton and company are looking to move on from the unlimited one and find talent elsewhere. I Don't mind the fit in Pittsburgh. I think it's a good fit. I'm curious to see. It's a team that primarily wants to run the ball. I Think that's where his strength is. It's kind of what Seattle did in his great glory years. They ran the football through the ball Particularly well. He was able to move around. But if they can pass, protect and run the football, that should be good. They've got a dress, that offense line, hopefully if they do go there.

Jay Vegas:

Patrick Peterson out of Pittsburgh he has been released. I know that saves him a ton of money in cap space. I believe he was set to make nine points. I believe 9.9 million this year saves them. I think 6.9 on cap and about 2.8 in the dead cap zone. So it was a financial move, business moved by the Steelers. Curious to see what happens with Peterson now.

Jay Vegas:

I know he still does want to be a starter in this league. Looking along, make his career a little bit longer. He said he would even be open to moving into a safety role. But he does want to be a starter. I think that's gonna be a little difficult for him. He might be one of those guys waiting to see what happens after camp, staying healthy, and see if there's any injuries and possible needs coming up for the teams it weren't able to address their safety needs and maybe he finds a home as a starter there. But that is all time we have for today.

Jay Vegas:

Guys, thanks for joining me. I know I know these solo shows Aren't as fun and engaging as the, as the ones where we have to guest on. I do like doing it and I will keep doing a weekly show releasing on Friday today it was a little later waiting to see the news from the straight deadline for the NHL wanted to make sure I got all of them out there. I'm sure there'll be some that I missed and some that's listen. I didn't think were relevant and maybe you think is a little bit more Relevant than I thought, so Please let me know listen. Follow us along at Bay's guys locker room on YouTube. Watch the show every Sunday. What release the show? Me, my father doing it right now. We're talking Vegas gold nights on that show. That's where we're gonna break down Vegas gold nights and we'll do more in-depth stuff here on the podcast. Follow us along. Follow us on the exit Vegas guys locker room. Subscribe to the show. Get notified whenever we're on the air, guys, and we'll see you in the next one.