Every year around the NHL Trade Deadline, internet trolls/heroes take to social media, create fake accounts for NHL media personalities, and report trades that have not occurred.
And people fall for it.
Every year around the NHL Trade Deadline, TSN’s Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger warn the social media public to watch out for fake accounts reporting fake trades.
Most listen, but some don’t.
For the record, McKenzie’s actual Twitter handle is @TSNBobMcKenzie and Dreger’s is @DarrenDreger. What out for accounts that have slight changes to the Twitter handle (e.g. @TSN_BobMcKenzie, @TSNDarrenDreger, or @Darren_Dreger). Follow the real verified accounts for the latest, accurate information. Better yet, follow The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) for NHL Trade Deadline news and analysis.
Instead of condemning the heroes that wish to cause havoc online, this article is dedicated to celebrating the creativity and stupidity that come out in these fake deadline deals. Some trades are actually feasible and should be considered. Other trades are just hilarious and would get GMs fired.
Related: 32 NHL Trade Deadline Questions (and Answers)
So this year, beware the geniuses that cook up erroneous NHL Trade Deadline transactions. Trust the verified accounts for correct NHL news.
Let’s begin.
GM-Firing Trade Deadline Deals
BREAKING: Detroit has acquired Steven #Stamkos in exchange for Dylan Larkin, Dominic Turgeon and a 2016 first round pick. #TradeCentre
— Darren Dreger (@Based_Sniper91) February 25, 2016
This “Darren Dreger” has the same profile picture as the TSN analyst, but clearly a different Twitter handle. And his trade would get Ken Holland fired in Detroit. Trading Dylan Larkin is not and will not ever be in the cards. But trading Larkin, prospect Dominic Turgeon, and a 1st round pick for a few months of Steven Stamkos is just silly. Don’t you realize that this would put the Red Wings over the salary cap ceiling?! Lol.
I’m hearing a rumour that will send Chara to the #Jets in exchange for Ladd. Pending on if Ladd with sign with the #Bruins
— Bob McKenzie (@TSMBobMcKenzie) February 25, 2016
Trading your captain for a pending unrestricted free agent. Right. New Bruins’ GM Don Sweeney would be tarred and feathered in Boston if he traded Zdeno Chara for Andrew Ladd. On the opposite side, the city of Winnipeg would hand GM Kevin Cheveldayoff the key to the city, a crown, a jester, their finest knights—you name it.
Hearing #Hawks trade Jonathan Toews, Bryan Bickell to #Canucks for Hamhuis, Vrbata, 1st + 2nd round pick. Done deal.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSMBobMcKenzie) February 25, 2016
If Chicago GM Stan Bowman traded captain Jonathan Toews, Scotty Bowman (GM’s Dad and Blackhawks’ consultant) would throw each and every Stanley Cup ring in his position at Stan until he learned his lesson. Then the younger Bowman would be fired and never find a job in the NHL again.
This Might Work…
Per @pauljac3_ the Washington Capitals have agreed to send prospect Jakub Vrana to Boston in exchange for Chris Kelly. #TradeCentre
— Darren Dreger (@Based_Sniper91) February 25, 2016
Okay, some fake trades are actually feasible. This trade would put the Capitals over the salary cap ceiling, but would add a depth forward for their playoff run. In no other year have the Capitals had a better team to compete for the Cup, so why not add a proven, depth veteran with a his name already engraved on the Stanley Cup.
BREAKING: Chicago acquires Loui Eriksson from The #Bruins for Prospect Nick Schmaltz and a 2016 1st rounder. Boston retains half salary.
— Darren Dreger (@Based_Sniper91) February 25, 2016
Chicago has been targeting Loui Eriksson…
Breaking: The ducks have acquired Jonathan Drouin from Tampa in exchange for Cam Fowler, Ryan Garbutt and a 2016 5th round pick.
— Darren Dreger (@Based_Sniper91) January 22, 2016
This trade is certainly plausible and would cause you to double-check the source. If the Ducks were to acquire Jonathan Drouin from Tampa Bay, they would have an outstanding forward group heading into the playoffs. Their defense is strong enough that trading Cam Fowler is not out of the question.
When Trading Players for Objects Creates a Reasonable Deal
Maple Leafs trade Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Bernier to the Rangers for $25 and a lightly used washing machine. #TradeCentre
— The Canadian Game (@ItsCanadasGame) February 23, 2016
This is good. Leafs’ GM Lou Lamoriello is always looking for creative ways to make a trade. I do think Rangers’ GM Jeff Gorton comes out ahead here. If it was a brand new washing machine, then it would be a toss up.
Ducks trade Ryan Kesler to Florida in exchange for Jagr’s mullet for Getlzaf’s bald head.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSMBobMcKenzie) February 25, 2016
Just try to picture Ryan Getzlaf with 90s Jaromir Jagr’s mullet. You know Mark Messier was hoping the Rangers would pull off a similar move during his day on Broadway.
Final Word
Beware of trolls this weekend and on Monday’s trade deadline. You’re going to look like a fool if you start celebrating how your team acquired Jonathan Toews for the playoff run.
Always look for the verified check mark on Twitter when investigating whether a trade is real or not. Twitter implemented that feature for exactly this reason. People like to impersonate celebrities to they can feel famous for once.
Don’t make stupid people famous.
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What do you think of these silly trades? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter: @PolakWolak. I’m not verified, but not a troll either.
