To the surprise of no one, it was the Boston Banshees – a team in constant flux – who were the first to strike once trading opened following the 2020-21 season.
The Banshees made a pair of moves, first acquiring veteran goaltender Jaroslav Halak and a third round pick from the expansion Clarington Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Oliver Kylington and two fourth rounders. Then, in a splashier move, the Banshees unloaded veterans Joe Pavelski and Zach Parise to the West Virginia River Rats. In return, the Banshees acquired promising forward Robert Thomas, Nicolas Roy, and a third.
The latter move signals a retooling year for the Banshees and a commitment to go all-in by the River Rats, who are fresh off a 6-game loss to El Dorado in the cup finals. The Rats lost three key veterans in the expansion draft (Jacob Markstrom, Mark Giordano, and David Savard) and seem intent on reloading quickly. Parise had 37 goals and 59 points in 82 games last season for Boston, while Pavelski added 20 goals and 52 points.
Gump Worsley Memorial Hockey League 