Nation Notebook: Henrique-Vatanen Trade, Seattle Arena, and Derek Dorsett

There’s a surprisingly fair trade in late November! Derek Dorsett retires. Seattle arena is on track for approval. The Oilers are putting out feelers for their depth guys, and Montreal is willing to move defenceman Brandon Davidson.

Anaheim traded Sami Vatanen and a conditional third-round pick for Adam Henrique, Joseph Blandisi, and a 2018 third-round pick. This feels like a fair trade on both sides. Both Vatanen and Henrique are good players who aren’t top players, but can play in that middle range, either on the second pair or second line.

Henrique gives the Ducks immediate center help with Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler out with injuries. He can shift to the wing once they return and gives them a left-handed in their top six. Vatanen is an interesting pick up for the Devils. He’ll fit their in their speedy system, and that defense group is starting to take shape. Blandisi is a nice add if he can fill in for Anaheim’s injured forwards, as he a few points in his limited NHL games. Ray Shero has now acquired Taylor Hall, Marcus Johansson, and Sami Vatanen for Adam Larsson, Adam Henrique, a second-round pick, and two third-round picks. Not bad.

Seattle might be getting a brand new arena according to Chris Daniels. Look away, Coyotes fans. Seattle seems like an ideal city for either relocation or expansion, so having them as an option has to be nice for the NHL. Another location out west will help even out the conferences eventually.

Derek Dorsett is unable to play in the NHL due to health risks. That’s brutal for any player, but especially when Dorsett was on pace for a career-year in goals and points, while playing the second most minutes per game of his career.

TSN’s insiders talked about the recent Vatanen-for-Henrique trade and Chiarelli wanting to make a move. Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli isn’t looking to make a Vatanen-level trade, but still wants to tinker with his lineup. Darren Dreger mentions Drake Caggiula, Jujhar Khaira, and Anton Slepyshev. With all due respect to those players, I’m not sure how much interest they’ll garner. None are particularly lighting up the scoresheet, so what’s the market for a few low-scoring, bottom six guys?

Eric Engels says Montreal’s Brandon Davidson is available. Davidson has some wicked shot-attempt numbers, but has only dressed in 13 games. He could be a useful option for a team lacking a third-pairing guy who can skate and pass fairly well.