The 2015-16 season has been a slow one in terms of player trades, which poses a unique problem for the NHL’s 30 teams as the league’s February 29 trade deadline approaches.
What is the market value for rental players when there aren’t any deals to use as a point of comparison?
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche made the picture a little clearer on Sunday when they connected on a trade which sent pending free agent Shawn Matthias from the Leafs to the Avs in exchange for a prospect and a draft pick.
It’s an interesting trade in its own right, but also because it’s our first real look at the rental market.
Matthias is a 28-year-old veteran of nearly 500 games with Florida, Vancouver and Toronto. He’s commonly listed as a centre and has spent time in the middle but is a better fit at left wing. He has played there pretty much exclusively this season.
As a player, Matthias brings size (6’4”, 231 lbs) and a responsible two-way game. He generally scores at a decent third-line clip, coming in somew ...
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Article written by Jonathan Willis