2024-03-08 00:55:00

Kevin Shattenkirk knew a trade was coming.

Unable to reach an agreement with the St. Louis Blues on the terms of a new contract, the defenseman did his best to block out the ambient noise as the annual NHL trade deadline approached .

Shattenkirk was just waiting for his phone to ring. The rest would be done alone.

“I knew it was going to happen,” said the defender. It was only a matter of time. The weeks leading up to that were quite difficult.”

“It can be pretty strange when you know you’re going to be traded,” said Shattenkirk, now with the Boston Bruins. You talk regarding being traded, and then you have a game in the evening. You just have to get used to it.”

With the trade deadline Friday at 3 p.m., several players are experiencing the same emotions.

“It’s a tornado,” said defenseman Troy Stecher, who was acquired by the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday from the Arizona Coyotes. Life stops for five minutes, then there’s panic the next hour. Then, you are on your way to join your new team. It’s happening quickly.”

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi has been traded four times, including at the last two trade deadlines, going from struggling teams to teams aspiring for major honors.

“When you know it’s coming, it’s pretty exciting,” said Domi, who joined the Carolina Hurricanes in 2022 and the Dallas Stars in 2023. “But it’s pretty tough, too.”

It’s also regarding leaving your teammates, your coaches, the trainers and all the team staff.

“These are relationships that last,” Domi said. That’s the hardest part, adjusting to this new situation with a new city and little familiarity.”

Bruins center Charlie Coyle talked regarding the feeling of moving from the Minnesota Wild to his hometown Bruins in 2019.

“Your whole world changes,” the center said. If you’re alone, it’s a little easier. But it can still be difficult. If you’re married, have kids, I don’t think a lot of people see that side of it when you change teams.”

Coyotes defenseman Matt Dumba was the source of many trade rumors when he played for the Wild.

No trade has happened, but the rumors are even more prevalent this year, with the defenseman set to be a free agent at the end of the season.

“My name was always there when the deadline came,” Dumba said. I am used to. I don’t really get carried away with all the media and social media. It’s part of everyday life.”

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