NHL Trade Deadline Review + Tier III Playoff Reports
The NHL’s trade deadline, one of the most exciting times for a hockey fan, passed this Monday. Get caught up with the all the most important trades from the past few weeks, as well as the winners and losers of the deadline frenzy
Winners
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers may be ahead of schedule to some, but the additions made in the offseason, combined with the deadline deals made has some people wondering, are the new look Rangers a cup contender ?
We think yes - The Rangers added defenseman Justin Braun from the Flyers for a third round pick, adding a veteran presence to the top 6, as well as a proven penalty killer. But the Andrew Copp add from Winnipeg is a huge add for the bottom 6. Copp adds size, skill, and versatility, being able to play a physical or skill role, and could add some scoring depth for the 3rd or 4th line. The add of former Vancouver Canuck Tyler Motte is another add to the bottom 6, creating depth in case of injuries, as well as competition for playing time.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers snatched up arguably 2 of the biggest names on deadline day, picking up former Philadelphia Flyer Captain Claude Giroux, as well as Montreal Canadian defenseman Ben Chariot. It is win now mode for Florida, as they looked to be one of the top contenders coming out of the East before the deadline, and now have possibly solidified themselves as the top team in the East.
Giroux will fit in wherever he is slotted in the lineup, and adds another center to rely on for key face-offs in the playoffs. The veteran finished his Flyers career playing it his 1000th game for the organization, but has seemed excited by this new opportunity.
For Chariot, the add is a much needed boost the blue line, with questions regarding captain Aaron Ekblad’s availability come playoff time. Chariot was a beast for Montreal in their run last season, and will look to play big, shut down minutes all playoffs for the Panthers.
The Panthers gave up a 2023 1st round and 2022 4th round pick, as well as forward prospect Tyler Smilanic to Montreal for Chariot. In the Giroux trade, Florida gave up a highly touted prospect in Owen Tippett, as well as a 2024 1st and 2023 3rd round pick.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Once again, Toronto GM Kyle Dubas is not afraid to make a splash on deadline day. Some thought a goaltending add was needed, but with one of the best top 9 forward groups in the league, the Maple Leafs acquired Marc Giordano and Colin Blackwell from Seattle in exchange for a 2nd round pick in 2022, and 2023, as well as a 3rd in 2024.
Giordano will hopefully be a stabilizing force to the top 4 defensive pairs, taking some of the defensive pressures away from Morgan Reilly and Jake Muzzin. The add of Colin Blackwell is one that may go unnoticed now, but pay dividends in the playoffs. Blackwell could match well with Tornto’s cycle style on their 4th line, while adding injury insurance for the playoffs.
Calgary Flames
Adding Tyler Toffoli back to the Flames in February has paid dividends, with Toffoli tallying 8 goals and 7 assists in 18 games with the club. The Pacific Conference leaders were not done however, adding versatile forward Calle Jarnkrok from the Kraken in exchange for a 2nd, and 3rd in 2022, as well as a 2024 7th round pick.
Fun Fact - Adding Jarnkrok reunites him with his cousin, and fellow Calgary forward Elias Lindholm, as well as best friend and training partner goaltender Jacob Markstrom. All 3 are from the small Swedish town of Gavle.
Boston Bruins
Although the Bruins did not add the scoring depth many thought they needed, but they did land a top pair defenseman in Hampus Lindholm before signing him to an 8 year, $52 million contract extension. The Bruins also moved away from possible bust Zach Senyshyn, who was part of the Bruins horrible 2015 draft, as well a 5th round pick for physical defenseman Josh Brown.
Colorado
The Stanley Cup favorites entering the deadline added 2 solid pieces to booster their roster with Josh Manson from Anaheim and Arthur Lehkonen from Montreal. Manson will be a great add for the bottom 4 pairs, but Lehkonen may be the prize no one is talking about. The hero for Montreal in last years Stanley Cup run, Lehkonen is an under valued asset, who can add scoring depth and defensive play to the bottom 6.
Notable Moves
Pittsburgh lands Rakell from Anaheim for 3 players and a 2022 2nd
Chicago’s Marc Andre Fleury to Minnesota for a conditional 2nd round pick
Anaheim’s Nic Deslauriers to Minnesota for a 2023 3rd
Seattle’s Marcus Johansson to Washington for Daniel Sprong, a 2022 4th and 2023 6th
Ottawa’s Nic Paul to Tampa Bay for Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 4th
Columbus’ Max Domi to Carolina for Aidan Hreschuk
Detroit’s Nick Leddy to St Louis for Oskar Sunqvist, Jake Walman and a 2023 2nd
The rights to Jack McBain were traded to Arizona, with a 2022 2nd round pick returning to Minnesota
Seattle’s Mason Appleton to Winnipeg for a 2023 4th
Seattle’s Jeremy Lauzon to Nashville for a 2022 2nd
Detroit’s Troy Stecher to Los Angeles for a 2022 7th
Buffalo’s Robert Hagg to Florida for a 6th round pick
Ottawa’s Zach Sanford to Winnipeg for a 5th
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