Revisiting The Ivan Barbashev Trade
It turns out that the Vegas Golden Knights won the trade deadline too. Was there a more impactful acquisition at the trade deadline than Ivan Barbashev? Forget about Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko and all of the other guys that moved around during the deadline. Barbashev turned out to be the ultimate difference-maker during the Cup run for the VGK. With that in mind, it seems like the perfect time to revisit the trade that brought him to Vegas.
- Old Trade Grades
Vegas Golden Knights Acquire Ivan Barbashev.
Grade: B+
I think we can bump that letter grade up, right? I think I had the right thought process if you read the old post. Barbashev felt like a great glue guy to add to the room that had Stanley Cup experience with the Blues as a 4th liner. However, I’m not sure anybody saw this coming. Barbashev is now at the point of an unreplaceable asset.
What an absolutely perfect fit Barbashev turned out to be for Vegas. Barbashev, 27, notched 16 points in 23 games for Vegas after the trade in the regular season. He also turned out to be the perfect playoff guy for the Cup run. Whether it be massive hits or piling up another 18 points during the Championship run, Barbashev exceeded expectations in Vegas.
It should be noted that Vegas had a plan and got the most out of him. Barbashev played left wing up and down the lineup mostly settling next to Eichel and Marchessault on the top unit. Barby also served as the net front guy on the second powerplay. The move to winger paid serious dividends. The fact that Vegas got this level of play out of him needs to be factored into the new grade.
New Trade Grade: A+
- Old Trade Grades
Blues Acquire Zach Dean.
Grade: B-
The return for Ivan Barbashev feels less than it did back then. Especially when you compare this trade to the Tanner Jeannot one. Something that was mentioned back in the old post. There is no question at this point that Barbashev is the better player and Vegas gave up a fraction of the price.
It’s all really going to depend on what Zach Dean becomes. Dean, the former 30th overall pick in 2021, is still very much a prospect and a couple of years away. Even if Dean pans out, it’s fair to question why St. Louis didn’t get a single pick back in this trade. You have to wonder if they couldn’t have done better in hindsight.
New Trade Grade: C-
