Another trade deadline has come and gone with a number of big name, established vets getting moved for futures. Here are three such prospects that changed addresses.

Danny O’Regan – BUF

The whole gang’s getting back together! GM Eichel Botterill finally ended the Evander Kane era in Buffalo by dealing him to San Jose for a couple of picks and Danny O’Regan. With this acquisition, the Sabres now have the entire top line from the 2014-15 Boston Terries consisting of the aforementioned O’Regan along with Jack Eichel and Evan Rodrigues. They terrorized opponent that year combining for 182 points in 41 games. The newest Sabre was drafted way back in 2012 by San Jose lasting until the fifth round. He spent the full four years in college with BU and had four very productive seasons. He burst onto the scene as a freshman tallying 16 goals and 22 helpers leading the Terriers in scoring and finished second in the NCAA in points by a rookie, just one behind leader Riley Barber. He led all first-year players in power play goals with eight and game winners with four. In his sophomore year his production took a big dip to just 22 points in what was a down year for the program. His 10 goals were a team high. In 2013-14 he also represented team USA at the WJHC where he scored a goal in four games. Unsurprisingly he had his best year in 2014-15 riding shotgun with eventual Hobey Baker winner Jack Eichel, scoring 23 times and dishing out 27 assists to finish tied for seventh in the NCAA in scoring. In his senior campaign he paced the Terriers in goals (17) assists (27) and points (44). He ended his college career as a point per game player with 154 points in 154 games. O’Regan has continued to be a productive scorer in the pro game, granted at a lower level.

In his rookie pro season in the AHL, O’Regan was a force to be reckoned with, racking up 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points to lead the San Jose Barracuda in both of the latter two categories. Not only did he lead his team, he led all first year players in scoring and was awarded the Red Garrett Memorial Award which goes to the AHL’s rookie of the year. He received his first taste of NHL action that same year, getting into a trio of games and scored his first NHL goal. He still sits third on the ‘Cuda in scoring with 25 points despite having played only 31 or the teams 50 games, thanks to extended NHL duty. With 19 games under his belt in the big league this year, he’s amassed four helpers.

In a not-very-deep San Jose Sharks system, O’Regan was a good gamble to take in terms of a return. He’s conquered every level at which he’s played, except for one. Whether or not he can remains to be seen.

Erik Foley – STL

In one of the more surprising deadline day deals, the St. Louis Blues send Paul Stastny to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a pair of draft picks and Erik Foley. A third-round pick of the Jets in 2015, Foley was a single point short of being a point-per-game player for the Cedar Rapids Roughnecks of the USHL posting 54 points in 55 games to lead the team and was named to the All-Rookie team. He committed to the Providence College where he has spent the past three years, improving year over year. In his freshman campaign Foley potted seven goals and dished out 12 helpers to lead Providence rookies in scoring and finished 14^th in Hockey East. He took a big step forward in his sophomore year, leading the team with 15 goals, game winning goals with five and added 19 assists for 34 points, the second-highest mark for the Friars. Foley was also selected to represent USA at the 2017 WJHC where he captured the gold medal, although his contributions were minimal registering a single assist in seven games. Currently in his junior season, Foley has identical number to those of last year but in four fewer games. He leads Providence in goals (15), points (34), goals per game (0.47), assists per game (0.59), and points per game (1.06). Conference wide his 34 points are good for fourth.

Foley has one more year of eligibility left at the college level so it will be interesting to see what he decides to do at the end of the season; sign or go back. Regardless he has to be happy about the move. Winnipeg has a young, deep core of wingers so his chances of ever making an impact were slim to none. And while St. Louis boasts a deep system of their own, it’s a little less so on the wings.

Ryan Lindgren – NYR

The return coming back in the deal that sent Rick Nash to the Boston Bruins included defensive prospect, and brother of Montreal goaltender Charlie Lindgren, is Ryan Lindgren. A product of the famed Shattuck St Mary’s program and the USNTDP, Lindgren was taken with the 49^th overall pick by the Bruins in 2016 which is right about where most prognosticators had him going. In his draft year, Lindgren served as the captain for the under-18 US National team, where he played with a boatload of eventual NHL draft picks, and put up a stat line of six goals and 19 assists in 61 contests. Post draft, Lindgren headed to the University of Minnesota where he proceeded to have a standout freshman year.

While his stat line may not have been overly impressive, just one goals and six assists in 32 games with a team high 65 penalty minutes, it’s his all-around play that that earned him Big 10 All-Rookie team honours as well as an honourable mention to the conference All-Star team. To cap it off the Minnesota Golden Gopher won the conference championship. All in all it was a good first year of college hockey for Lindgren. Currently in his sophomore season, he’s producing at a nearly identical clip with a pair of goals and five helpers in 33 contests and has cut down on the penalties, sitting with 49 PIMs. I’ve watched a few Minnesota games this year to keep a close eye on Casey Mittelstadt and Lindgren is a player that is consistently noticeable. Likely won’t ever be a big point producer at the NHL level but he’s a hard-nosed defender with some leadership capabilities. He should be an effective bottom-four blue liner for years to come.

Thanks for reading another installment of The Journey. Give me a follow on Twitter @BradHPhillips. Enjoy your weekend!

*

More from The Journey: Fastest-Rising Prospect Defencemen