BLOG: NHL Determines Revised Conditions for Vatanen Trade

When the Devils made a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on February 24, the deal sent Sami Vatanen to Carolina for Freddie Claesson, Janne Kuokkanen and a conditional 4th round selection.

Because the season was suddenly halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, and subsequently restarted with the 24-team format, the Hurricanes and Devils required the NHL to help regulate the conditions of the fourth round selection.

When Vatanen was traded in February, he had been dealing with an injury since early February. Because of the unique scenario of trading an injured player, the two sides set a comprehensive outline for the conditional pick.

As part of the original trade agreement, the Devils and Hurricanes had agreed if Vatanen played between five and 11 regular-season games to close out the year, the pick would be a 2020 4th round pick.

If Vatanen were to play 12 regular-season games or 70% of Carolina's playoff games in 2020, the pick would upgraded to a third-round pick (Carolina had 21 regular-season games remaining). A third and final condition was if Vatanen was only able to play four games or less, the pick would not be included in the deal.

Both parties submitted their perspectives on the deal which the NHL presided over and determined the following stipulations regarding the pick, which includes several scenarios.

If Carolina wins its Qualifying Round against the Rangers, and Sami Vatanen plays in 70% or more of Carolina's 2019-20 Stanley Cup Playoff games, which does not include the qualifying round, Carolina will transfer its own third round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft to New Jersey.

The League provided the following example for clarity.

If Carolina was to play six playoff games, Vatanen would need to play five or more of those games to qualify for the 70% minimum threshold.

In addition, the League announced "should Carolina not transfer its own third (3rd) round pick per the stipulation listed above and Sami Vatanen plays in two or more games during the Qualifying Round, Carolina will transfer a fourth (4th) round pick to New Jersey."

The conditions for the second scenario are as follows:

As of August 3, Vatanen has played in two qualifying games for Carolina so the Devils are now guaranteed at least a fourth round pick. Vatanen picked up an assist in Carolina's win over the Rangers on August 1