The Royals acquired star forward Tim Stutzle, Laurie Boschman, Ville Koivunen, Lukas Reichel, Max Domi, and John Gibson from the Renegade in exchange for Mike Sillinger, Barret Hayton, Mackie Samoskevich, Ozzy Wiesblatt, Travis Konecny, Thatcher Demko. The move is a major pivot away from youngster forward Mike Sillinger who was marked as the heir apparent "centre of the future" for the Royals. However, to get talent, you have to give up talent and that is precisely what the Royals did.

"It wasn't easy giving up the likes of Sillinger, Ozzy, and Samo. They all have bright careers ahead of them and we wish them the best, but for various reasons we felt that they weren't a part of our future." said GM Nagle.

One of the major concerns with the big fish in the trade, Tim Stutzle, is that he has a long history of injuries and other ailments that have plagued his young career. 

"It is a concern for us for sure, and him as well. However, we have all the right tools and people here who will help build him up to be a solid contributor to our team in the years ahead. He has skills oozing out of his hands and that will help us as we transition to the next core of forwards coming up in the years ahead." added GM Nagle.

As far as the rest of the return coming back, another key cog in the deal is forward Lukas Reichel. Reichel, 24, returns to the team that drafted him 7th overall in season 8. His physical and defensive abilities will cement himself as a premier shut down forward for the team's 3rd line. An aspect of the game that GM Nagle admits he has waned from in recent years.

"We were always regarded as a ferocious and tenacious team as far back as day 1. We have to get back to that identity with the new players we bring in. There will always be room for finesse but we have to purposely look for more sandpaper the deeper you get into our lineup. Lukas was a prized draft pick of ours a few years ago and to some extent I regret moving on him. But now we have him back and are looking forward to having him as part of our core moving forward." finished the GM

Are the Royals done wheeling and dealing? I think we'll see how this shakeup moves the needle and if the wins start piling back up. If not, there will always be more deals to be had.