The Kevin for Thor side of this trade basically cancels itself out. The Flames traded an NHL capable defenceman who would have likely spent the rest of the year in the AHL for an AHL defenceman who will spend the rest of the year in the AHL. That side of the trade gives Jokipakka a chance to stay in the NHL for the rest of the season without really changing anything from the Flames' perspective.
The Lazar for a second side of the deal is very similar to the Baertschi trade. Lazar isn't as highly-rated a prospect, but this draft year is supposedly much weaker than 2015.
Here are their stats prior to being traded:
Baertschi: Drafted 13th overall in 2011. Played one full season in the WHL after being drafted and went full-time pro the following year (was AHL eligible).
- WHL Totals: 113 GP : 67G / 112A / 179P (1.58 P/G) ||| Playoffs: 43 GP : 24G / 37A / 61P (1.42 P/G)
- AHL Totals: 109 GP : 31G / 49A / 80P (0.73 P/G) ||| Playoffs: 4 GP : 0G / 1A / 1P (0.25 P/G)
- NHL Totals: 66 GP : 8G / 20A / 28P (0.42 P/G)
Lazar: Drafted 17th overall in 2013. Played one full season in the WHL after being drafted and went full-time pro the following year (was not AHL eligible).
- WHL Totals: 199 GP : 99G / 70A / 169P (0.85 P/G) ||| Playoffs: 67 GP : 28G / 25A / 53P (0.79 P/G)
- AHL Totals: 13 GP : 3G / 1A / 4P (0.31 P/G)
- NHL Totals: 176 GP : 12G / 24A / 36P (0.20 P/G) ||| Playoffs: 6 GP : 0G / 0A / 0P (0.00 P/G)
Both players asked to be traded in the final year of their ELCs. Each has had some health setbacks (Sven with concussions, Lazar with mono).
Sven had better stats, but Lazar has better intangibles. Captain of a Memorial Cup champion and Captain of Team Canada at the World Juniors (Gold medalists). He also had 19 points in 20 playoff games in his 16 year-old season, so he can step up for the important games.
If you buy Burke's argument that a second in this year's draft is more like a third in most years, this seems like a good value deal. If Lazar can reach the potential he was drafted for, it will be a huge win.