Maltsev was a fourth-round pick of the Devils in 2016 and appeared in 33 games with them in 2021. The 23-year-old winger had nine points (6G / 3A) with the Devils and has picked up 12 goals with 10 assists (22 points) in his first 50 AHL games. Given the depth of the Avalanche roster, Maltsev seems likely to start 2021-22 in the AHL.
Graves being dealt is a product of the Seattle Expansion Draft and New Jersey lands a solid top-4 defenseman that should fit in well with their emerging young blueline. Graves, who has two years left at $3.17M AAV, had two goals and 13 assists (15 points) in 54 games with the Avalanche in 2021.
Wells was a fifth-round pick of the Oilers in 2016 and went 0-4-1 with a 3.77 GAA and .878 SV% in seven AHL starts in 2021. Wells is an RFA but if he's tendered to his qualifying offer in the next week, the Hurricanes would then meet the exposure requirements for the Seattle Expansion Draft.
Soderlund was a fourth-round pick of the Blackhawks in 2017 and came to North America in 2020. In his first two seasons with Rockford (AHL), the 23-year-old centre has scored one goal with seven assists (eight points) in 52 games. Soderlund will most likely report to Bakersfield (AHL) in 2021-22.
Jones is entering the final year of a two-year deal that carries an $850K cap-hit. After showing flashes of a potential top-4 defenseman in 2020, Jones was in and out of the Oilers lineup in 2021, finishing the season with just four assists in 33 games. This deal sheds nearly $4.7M in cap-space for the Blackhawks and could be something that helps them pursue Caleb's brother, Seth, in the offseason.
Keith waived his no-trade clause to facilitate a deal to Edmonton, where he will replace Jones on the left-side of their blueline. Keith, who will turn 38-years-old in a few days, has two more years left on a contract that carries a $5.539M AAV cap-hit. The two-time Norris Trophy winner was last nominated for the award in 2017 and is coming off of a season where he scored four goals with 11 assists (15 points) in 54 games with Chicago. He brings a stabilizing veteran presence to the Oilers top-4 and a Championship pedigree to a team that has struggled in the postseason.