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Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
What are some examples in recent years of top prospects being traded? I can’t think of many. Suzuki to Montreal. Norris to Ottawa. Faber to Minnesota… was Raty a top prospect?
Players who look like they can step in within a year or two and be difference-makers on an entry-level contract have never been more valuable in the NHL. They do still get traded sometimes. But less often than they used to.
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That's a pretty good list. The Fiala deal (for Faber) is a good example of what ideally the Flames would shoot for. But they are rare. Minny got a 1st and Faber.
You could add: Kupari (in the Dubois deal), Reid Schaefer (Ekholm deal), Zach Dean (for Barbashev), Nils Lundqvist, maybe a few others. But those aren't blue chip guys, more later 1st guys that teams are more comfortable giving up.
Even the Meier deal, people thought NJD would have to give up a guy like Holtz, and they didn't.
You might be able to find a deal where a guy has fallen down the depth chart (e.g. Tippet being dealt to Philly) but your point is valid, that teams generally don't trade good prospects. You are often better to take the picks and let your scouts do the work.