Carolina Hurricanes acquire Trevor van Riemsdyk from Vegas Golden Knights

Let the trades begin. The Carolina Hurricanes made waves this morning by reportedly acquiring Trevor van Riemsdyk from the Vegas Golden Knights. Van Riemsdyk was selected by Vegas in Wednesday’s expansion draft from the Chicago Blackhawks.

TSN’s Frank Seravalli was the first to break the trade, widely speculated almost as soon as van Riemsdyk was taken in the expansion draft:

Van Riemsdyk suited up for 58 games with Chicago during the 2016-17 season. He tallied 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) while averaging 18:25 of ice time. The 25-year old has played three seasons with the ‘Hawks after signing with the team as a free agent back in 2014. He is the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk.

We’ll update this as more information becomes public, including what the Canes traded to acquire van Riemsdyk.

UPDATE:

The Hurricanes sent a 2017 2nd round pick to the Golden Knights in exchange for van Riemsdyk. The second round pick previously belonged to Pittsburgh (62nd overall) and was the pick received in the trade deadline deal that sent defenseman Ron Hainsey to the Penguins. The Hurricanes will also receive a 2018 7th round pick from Vegas in the trade. Van Riemsdyk has one year remaining on his deal and is due $825,000 for the 2017-18 season.

It’s worth pointing out that this can be considered part of a bigger deal involving the expansion draft, with the Canes retaining Lee Stempniak and picking up van Riemsdyk and a 7th-rounder in exchange for 2nd and 5th round picks plus Connor Brickley.

Below is the release from the club:

CANES ACQUIRE TREVOR VAN RIEMSDYK FROM VEGAS

Defenseman earned 16 points, plus-17 rating in 58 games in 2016-17

Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk and a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Pittsburgh’s second-round selection (62^nd overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft.

“As a right-handed defenseman, Trevor fills an immediate need in our lineup,” said Francis.“He has obviously already experienced success in Chicago, and now will be another good, young piece on our blueline.”

Van Riemsdyk, 25, appeared in 58 regular-season games for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2016-17, registering 16 points (5g, 11a) and a plus-17 rating. The Middletown, NJ, native has totaled 31 points (8g, 23a) in 158 career regular-season games for Chicago, where he signed as a free agent in March 2014. Van Riemsdyk has appeared in 15 career playoff games, and won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Blackhawks in 2014.

Prior to turning professional, van Riemsdyk (6’2”, 188 lbs.) played three seasons at the University of New Hampshire, where he was teammates with Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce. Van Riemsdyk totaled 75 points (16g, 59a) in 102 career games with the Wildcats, and was named an AHCA East First-Team All-American in 2013. He represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship along with Hurricanes blueliner Noah Hanifin.