I’ve been writing this feature for about 10 years now, so many of you will know the drill.
Below are two bite-sized sentences of analysis laced with opinion on every (noteworthy) trade in the week leading up to Friday’s deadline.
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Colorado Avalanche acquire: Ryan Lindgren (D), Jimmy Vesey (LW), Hank Kempf (D)
New York Rangers acquire: Juuso Parssinen (C), Calvin de Haan (D), 2025 second-round pick, 2025 fourth-round pick, retain 50% of Lindgren’s contract
What the Rangers did reminds me of what the pre-Cup St. Louis Blues did when they had good teams, yet still moved players like Paul Stastny and Kevin Shattenkirk. They’re getting assets for guys who they don’t want to lose for nothing, while simultaneously trying to compete, which doesn’t look super promising here but you’ll recall worked out pretty damn well for the Blues.
Minnesota Wild acquire: Gustav Nyquist (C)
Nashville Predators acquire: 2026 second-round pick, retain 50% of Nyquist’s contract
The Wild’s salary cap picture has their hands tied, and injuries have hurt them this season, so this feels like a half-baked attempt at improving. The Central is just so loaded that this doesn’t move the needle.
Florida Panthers acquire: Seth Jones (D), 2026 fourth-round pick
Chicago Blackhawks acquire: Spencer Knight (G), 2026 or 2027 first-round pick, retain 26% of Jones’ contract
This is the type of trade that makes sense for both parties, as the Panthers take a guy who gets dumped on because he makes so much, they cut down his pay, and then put him in a better position to succeed. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks take a swing at finding their goalie of the future while grabbing a first, so retention aside, you can see how they prefer this package over a guy who didn’t want to be there.
Edmonton Oilers acquire: Trent Frederic (C), Max Jones (LW), Petr Hauser (RW)
Boston Bruins acquire: Max Wanner (D), 2025 second-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick, retain 50% of Frederic’s contract
New Jersey Devils acquire: Shane La Chance, retain 50% of Frederic’s contract
I love this addition for the Oilers, with the caveat that I’m hopeful Trent Frederic can be the best version of himself for Edmonton upon returning from injury. It seems like a lot of pieces out, but it’s unlikely any of them are massive NHL difference-makers, and a healthy Frederic can protect Connor McDavid, shoot it in the net and give the Oilers a more punch-first mentality.
Florida Panthers acquire: Vitek Vanecek (G)
San Jose Sharks acquire: Patrick Giles (C)
With Spencer Knight being shipped out, the Panthers made sure they got both a capable backup and a capable backup backup (they added Kaapo Kahkonen as well). Neither goalie is exceptional, but behind a great team, they both have the NHL experience necessary to give them at least baseline-level goaltending.
Tampa Bay Lightning acquire: Yanni Gourde (C), Oliver Bjorkstrand (RW), Kyle Aucoin (D), 2026 fifth-round pick
Seattle Kraken acquire: Michael Eyssimont (C), 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, retain 50% of Gourde’s contract
Detroit Red Wings acquire: Conditional 2025 fourth-round pick, retain 25% of Gourde’s contract
I like basically everything the Lightning have said about this deal, namely their GM saying, “Ultimately, the calculation is that trying and failing will yield less regret than failing to try.” That makes me want to run through a wall for Tampa Bay, which is quietly third in the NHL in goal differential and getting better.
San Jose Sharks acquire: Vincent Desharnais (D)
Pittsburgh Penguins acquire: 2028 fifth-round pick
Fact is, somebody’s gotta play for the Sharks, what with their plan to trade everyone away who isn’t 24 or younger. I like Vincent Desharnais fine enough.
Pittsburgh Penguins acquire: Luke Schenn (D), Tommy Novak (C)
Nashville Predators acquire: Michael Bunting (LW), 2026 fourth-round pick
Bunting makes $4.5 million this year and next, and is on pace for 40 points and is going to turn 30 this year, and the Penguins turned him and a fourth into a cheaper (and pretty damn good) Tommy Novak, a second and the return for Schenn, which was a second and a fourth. Quality asset management there.
New Jersey Devils acquire: Brian Dumoulin (D)
Anaheim Ducks acquire: Herman Traff (RW), conditional 2025 second-round pick, retain 50% of Dumoulin’s contract
I like that the Devils aren’t rolling over after the Jack Hughes injury. Brian Dumoulin is obviously not a huge needle mover, but he’s a big-body defensive defenceman, and he’ll help them in playoffs.
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Florida Panthers acquire: Nico Sturm (C), 2027 seventh-round pick
San Jose Sharks acquire: 2026 fourth-round pick
Nico Sturm has won a Cup as a depth guy before. He’s in a good spot to do it again.
Vegas Golden Knights acquire: Reilly Smith (RW)
New York Rangers acquire: Brendan Brisson (C), 2025 third-round pick
Sometimes a player is worth more than the general perception if you put him in the right environment. And this is the one Reilly Smith wanted to be in all along, meaning, I think they’ll get more out of him than any other team would have.
Florida Panthers acquire: Kaapo Kahkonen (G)
Winnipeg Jets acquire: Chris Driedger (G)
The Panthers are just trying to protect Sergei Bobrovsky, who can run hot and cold. I’m not sure if this does that at all, but it maybe improves their emergency scenarios a few per cent?
New York Rangers acquire: Carson Soucy (D)
Vancouver Canucks acquire: 2025 third-round pick
Sneaky like this for the Rangers, and at a fairly low cost. Carson Soucy is big and can defend, and in the playoffs, they’re gonna need to help out Igor Shesterkin.
Edmonton Oilers acquire: Jake Walman (D)
San Jose Sharks: Carl Berglund (C), conditional 2026 first-round pick
I like this move for Edmonton, too, as he wasn’t really a name on many teams’ radars. Jake Walman has offensive upside, size and is really coming into his own (and the Oilers need help at that position!).
Colorado Avalanche acquire: Brock Nelson (C), William Dufour (RW)
New York Islanders acquire: Calum Ritchie (C), Oliver Kylington (D), 2026 or 2027 first-round pick, conditional 2028 third-round pick, retain 50% of Nelson’s contract
This was great work by the Islanders, who turned an expiring contract on a declining asset into a first and a very good prospect. Now, I hope that doesn’t sound like I’m denigrating Brock Nelson, because this is still a very good player who immediately helps bump the Avs from “pretty good” to “one of the contenders.”
Washington Capitals acquire: Anthony Beauvillier (LW)
Pittsburgh Penguins acquire: 2025 second-round pick
I’m not sure Anthony Beauvillier makes the Caps all that much better, but depth is depth. More than anything, this is an example of how crazy the prices get on deadline day.
Los Angeles Kings acquire: Andrei Kuzmenko (LW), 2025 seventh-round pick
Philadelphia Flyers acquire: 2027 third-round pick, retain 50% of Kuzmenko’s contract
Pretty incredible that the Flyers turned Andrei Kuzmenko into a third, even with retention. He’s streaky, and the Kings could use some scoring help, so maybe he’s got a big goal or two in him come the playoffs.
Ottawa Senators acquire: Dylan Cozens (C), Dennis Gilbert (D), 2026 second-round pick
Buffalo Sabres acquire: Josh Norris (C), Jacob Bernard-Docker (D)
I liked Josh Norris, but his health was a major issue, and I can’t help but love the upside of Dylan Cozens for the Sens. On a better team, Cozens could have the support he needs to take a step and really make this thing a win for Ottawa.
Dallas Stars acquire: Mikko Rantanen (RW)
Carolina Hurricanes acquire: Logan Stankoven (C), conditional 2026 first-round pick, conditional 2028 first-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, 2027 third-round pick
When Carolina acquired Mikko Rantanen, it was always “try to sign him, and if we can’t, flip him,” and it ended up being the latter. While the team didn’t manage to get better in the short term (and that is worth noting), a franchise in that market has to protect against bottoming out, and adding Logan Stankoven, two firsts, and two thirds as assets represents a big opportunity to add to the overall return for Martin Necas.
Winnipeg Jets acquire: Luke Schenn (D)
Pittsburgh Penguins acquire: 2026 second-round pick, 2027 fourth-round pick
Two things can be true, and in this case, Luke Schenn being both a useful NHLer and an overpay demonstrates that. The Leafs acquired him for a third-rounder a couple years ago, and now he’s older and makes more money, while the Jets spent quite a bit more to get him.
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: Scott Laughton (C), 2025 fourth-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick
Philadelphia Flyers acquire: Nikita Grebenkin (RW), conditional 2027 first-round pick, retain 50% of Laughton’s contract
In a year where guys like Beauvillier and Kuzmenko cost second- and third-round picks to acquire, getting Scott Laughton for a player who might top out as Laughton and a late first (while getting multiple picks back and 50 per cent salary retained) is a plus-move for the Leafs. He’s maybe not the big improvement up front many Leafs fans hoped for, but he fits in their puzzle neatly, solidifying a big hole at 3C.
Winnipeg Jets acquire: Brandon Tanev (LW)
Seattle Kraken acquire: 2027 second-round pick
While Dallas and Colorado were taking big swings, the Jets were getting more competitive and deeper. They didn’t want to mess with their room chemistry and good vibes, so Tanev should help them on the ice while not disrupting things off it.
Colorado Avalanche acquire: Charlie Coyle (C), 2026 fifth-round pick
Boston Bruins acquire: Casey Mittelstadt (C), William Zellers (LW), 2025 second-round pick
The Avs went from just about no centre depth to one of the deepest teams at centre in the league, rolling out Nathan MacKinnon, Nelson, Charlie Coyle and Jack Drury. Seems like a pretty moderate price too, so a great add for them.
Columbus Blue Jackets acquire: Luke Kunin (C)
San Jose Sharks acquire: 2025 fourth-round pick
This trade is the equivalent of eating a healthy dinner and then thinking, “Y’know what? I deserve a little treat.” The Jackets certainly do deserve a little treat after an incredible year, so if Luke Kunin helps them a bit, that’s great.
Detroit Red Wings acquire: Petr Mrazek (G), Craig Smith (C)
Chicago Blackhawks acquire: Joe Veleno (C)
A nice move for the Blackhawks, who want Spencer Knight to hold the crease for a while. It also buys low on a young guy who may yet have more to give.
Florida Panthers acquire: Brad Marchand (LW)
Boston Bruins acquire: Conditional 2027 second-round pick, retain 50% of Marchand’s contract
The return on this is about the same as the return for Beauvillier, in that it’s apparently a second (albeit one that could turn into a first in 2028). It’s insanely cheap to move a franchise icon, so Brad Marchand must’ve really wanted this, and the Bruins wanted to do right by him.
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: Brandon Carlo (D)
Boston Bruins acquire: Fraser Minten (C), conditional 2026 first-round pick, 2025 fourth-round pick, retain 15% of Carlo’s contract
Love this fit for the Leafs, who get a proper shutdown right-shot D to pair with Morgan Rielly this season and two more after it on Brandon Carlo’s contract. He’s just 28, and the cost of Fraser Minten and what’s likely a late first is more than worth it to get a player who can help the PK and be a part of a very solid back-end.
Colorado Avalanche acquire: Erik Johnson (D)
Philadelphia Flyers acquire: Givani Smith (RW)
A feel-good story, with lots of players returning “home” this spring. Not sure it makes a hockey difference, but yeah, nice.
Ottawa Senators acquire: Fabian Zetterlund (LW), Tristen Robins (C), 2025 fourth-round pick
San Jose Sharks acquire: Noah Gregor (LW), Zack Ostapchuk (C), 2025 second-round pick
Fabian Zetterlund is just 25 years old. He’s built like a brick … “out” house we’ll say (five-foot-11 and 220 pounds) and is a 20-goal-plus scorer. That’s a nice addition for the Sens, who could use that depth during their playoff push.
New Jersey Devils acquire: Daniel Sprong (RW)
Seattle Kraken acquire: 2026 seventh-round pick
The poor Devils had a good start and have just gotten smoked by injuries. At least Daniel Sprong can help out, he’s a legit NHLer, so at least there’s that?
Pittsburgh Penguins acquire: Connor Dewar (C), Conor Timmins (D)
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: 2025 fifth-round pick
This is a fairly boring part of the Leafs making the Carlo deal. They needed to make cap space, and since it’s both legit NHLers they’re giving away, the Penguins threw them a courtesy pick.
