Three American NHL Players Traded Before Deadline

Blankenburg, Dowd, and Petry all on the move in last-minute deals

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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In the final hours before the 2025-26 NHL trade deadline, three American players were traded to new teams. Defenseman Nick Blankenburg was sent from the Nashville Predators to the Colorado Avalanche, center Nic Dowd was traded from the Washington Capitals to the Vegas Golden Knights, and veteran defenseman Jeff Petry was moved from the Florida Panthers to the Minnesota Wild.

Why it matters

The NHL trade deadline is a high-stakes time when teams make last-minute moves to bolster their rosters for the playoffs. The three American players traded represent significant shifts in the league's power dynamics as contenders look to gain an edge.

The details

Blankenburg, from Washington, Michigan, joins the league-leading Avalanche after spending time with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Nashville Predators. Dowd, from Huntsville, Alabama, heads to Vegas after stints with the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, and Washington Capitals. Petry, an Ann Arbor, Michigan native, will finish the season with the Wild after playing for five other NHL teams over the past 16 years.

  • The 2025-26 NHL trade deadline was on Friday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Nick Blankenburg

A defenseman from Washington, Michigan who was traded from the Nashville Predators to the Colorado Avalanche.

Nic Dowd

A center from Huntsville, Alabama who was traded from the Washington Capitals to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Jeff Petry

A veteran defenseman from Ann Arbor, Michigan who was traded from the Florida Panthers to the Minnesota Wild.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.