Last night two huge trades went down between the San Jose Sabercats and the Yellowknife Wraiths this weekend. These trades have been some of the biggest and mind-blowing the NSFL has ever seen, and these will impact the shape of the league for many years.
Trade 1: AC Hackett to the Yellowknife Wraiths, Luke Chunk and a pick to the San Jose Sabercats
This trade was huge for both sides. For the Yellowknife Wraiths, the solidify their linebacking core with a future S2 pro bowler in AC Hackett and the San Jose Sabercats seemingly began their rebuild. AC Hackett is doing great in his NSFL career so far, this year tied for 4th in the league in tackles with 79. He joins one of the league's worst linebacking corps that includes Kevin Cushing and rental Brice Boggs. The Yellowknife Wraiths want to win this season, and it makes sense, as AC Hackett's contract expires this offseason. Now, the Wraiths are certainly planning to retain Hackett by extending his contract. AC Hackett has 262 TPE, which places him in the top 10 for TPE among linebackers. Luke Chunk, on the other hand, has 107 TPE. Now, the Sabercats also receive a S3 third round draft pick, but I doubt it will be of high value with the lack of depth in the S3 draft class. If AC Hackett does not decide to extend his contract in the offseason, the Wraiths will receive a complementary 6th round draft pick from the Sabercats in the S3 draft. Overall I believe the Wraiths won this trade. While I understand the Sabercats were wanting to move Hackett badly, I don't understand why they didn't ask for more value for him. Clearly he is worth more than Chunk and one draft pick, even if he does have an expiring contract.
Trade grades:
Yellowknife Wraiths - A-
San Jose Sabercats - C-
Trade 2: Bailey Cook to the Yellowknife Wraiths, Darren Smallwood and picks to the San Jose Sabercats
This trade is a lot bigger than the Hackett trade. The Wraiths said goodbye to one of their most dedicated teammates in Darren Smallwood, one of the best prospects from the S2 draft class. The Wraiths also traded away their S3 first round pick, which is most likely going to be pick 5-6. They also gave away an S4 4th round draft pick, which isn't very that important. In return, they got established player Bailey Cook. Cook is 4th in the league in receiving yards with 718 and is tied for first in touchdowns with 6. He will most likely be the Wraiths primary redzone target, but tight end Ricky Maddox will rival for that role. With that trade, the Wraiths obtain arguably the best big three of targets in Garden/Cook/Maddox. Cook has over 300 TPE, one of the highest numbers for not just all wideouts, but for the whole league. I believe he will benefit more from Wraiths quarterback Chris Orosz then he would from Sabercats quarterback Ethan Hunt. On the Sabercats side of things, they receive a top-tier draft pick and one of the better prospects from the S2 draft. Smallwood is at 166 TPE and has proved to be very active. While his stats aren't that great, it's understandable considering he is a rookie and did not play in the S1 season at all. The draft pick allows them to build for the future as well, with many interesting defensive prospects in the first round for the Sabercats to select from. Overall, both teams benefited from this trade in their own ways.
Trade grades:
San Jose Sabercats - B+
Yellowknife Wraiths - B
606 words
GRADED
Trade 1: AC Hackett to the Yellowknife Wraiths, Luke Chunk and a pick to the San Jose Sabercats
This trade was huge for both sides. For the Yellowknife Wraiths, the solidify their linebacking core with a future S2 pro bowler in AC Hackett and the San Jose Sabercats seemingly began their rebuild. AC Hackett is doing great in his NSFL career so far, this year tied for 4th in the league in tackles with 79. He joins one of the league's worst linebacking corps that includes Kevin Cushing and rental Brice Boggs. The Yellowknife Wraiths want to win this season, and it makes sense, as AC Hackett's contract expires this offseason. Now, the Wraiths are certainly planning to retain Hackett by extending his contract. AC Hackett has 262 TPE, which places him in the top 10 for TPE among linebackers. Luke Chunk, on the other hand, has 107 TPE. Now, the Sabercats also receive a S3 third round draft pick, but I doubt it will be of high value with the lack of depth in the S3 draft class. If AC Hackett does not decide to extend his contract in the offseason, the Wraiths will receive a complementary 6th round draft pick from the Sabercats in the S3 draft. Overall I believe the Wraiths won this trade. While I understand the Sabercats were wanting to move Hackett badly, I don't understand why they didn't ask for more value for him. Clearly he is worth more than Chunk and one draft pick, even if he does have an expiring contract.
Trade grades:
Yellowknife Wraiths - A-
San Jose Sabercats - C-
Trade 2: Bailey Cook to the Yellowknife Wraiths, Darren Smallwood and picks to the San Jose Sabercats
This trade is a lot bigger than the Hackett trade. The Wraiths said goodbye to one of their most dedicated teammates in Darren Smallwood, one of the best prospects from the S2 draft class. The Wraiths also traded away their S3 first round pick, which is most likely going to be pick 5-6. They also gave away an S4 4th round draft pick, which isn't very that important. In return, they got established player Bailey Cook. Cook is 4th in the league in receiving yards with 718 and is tied for first in touchdowns with 6. He will most likely be the Wraiths primary redzone target, but tight end Ricky Maddox will rival for that role. With that trade, the Wraiths obtain arguably the best big three of targets in Garden/Cook/Maddox. Cook has over 300 TPE, one of the highest numbers for not just all wideouts, but for the whole league. I believe he will benefit more from Wraiths quarterback Chris Orosz then he would from Sabercats quarterback Ethan Hunt. On the Sabercats side of things, they receive a top-tier draft pick and one of the better prospects from the S2 draft. Smallwood is at 166 TPE and has proved to be very active. While his stats aren't that great, it's understandable considering he is a rookie and did not play in the S1 season at all. The draft pick allows them to build for the future as well, with many interesting defensive prospects in the first round for the Sabercats to select from. Overall, both teams benefited from this trade in their own ways.
Trade grades:
San Jose Sabercats - B+
Yellowknife Wraiths - B
606 words
GRADED