The National Hockey League has seen its’ member teams be more active this trade deadline than in recent memory. With many teams still fighting for either a division title or a playoff birth, owners and general managers are pushing to make moves that will propel their team to the top.
Through these trades, some teams have won their deals while others have fallen short in what they were trying to accomplish with their respective trades. Check out the top winners of the NHL trade deadline this season.
New York Rangers
Anytime you can land an elite future hall of fame player you could find yourself on the top of this list. The Rangers acquired veteran playmaker Vladimir Tarasenko who is looking to have a resurgence to his season in New York. On top of Tarasenko, the Rangers acquired Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kane had the power to decide where he wanted to go and New York was his preferred destination. The Rangers only gave up a conditional second-round pick and a fourth-round pick for the great 88. The ability to get this deal done without giving up a first-round pick is a win for New York.
Ottawa Senators
The ability to land a star defenseman that is fairly inexpensive and that you can possibly build your team around is crucial for any team looking to win a championship. The Senators added just that when they got Jakob Chychrun. They were able to get him with a conditional (top-five protected) first-round pick, a conditional second-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2026.
The Senators have been pushing up the wild card standings lately and adding a top defenseman that won’t break the bank will only help this team push toward a coveted playoff spot. This move gives Ottawa hope that this team can make a run in the playoffs this season.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have a monster lineup on the offensive side of the puck. They have two of the top five players in the league and are once again aspiring to make a deep run for a Stanley Cup. They lead the NHL in goals per game and they wanted nothing more than a heavy defensive-defenseman. They got that in Mattias Ekholm.
Ekholm can log heavy minutes and play on the penalty kill when needed. They gave up d-man Tyson Barrie, forward Reid Schaefer, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick. While the price may be a little steep, this is exactly what the Oilers need. If they are to maximize the window for Connor McDavid to win a cup, they need a defensive defenseman. No matter the asking price, if a team can get exactly what it needs then they have done its part by this trade deadline.
Overall these three teams have won this year’s trade deadline. Their respective general managers have put their teams in positions to succeed as the playoff push continues across the NHL.
