NHL trade deadline winners and losers: Leafs, Bruins, Red Wings among biggest winners

Winner: Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs pushed in all their chips at the trade deadline. You could argue they overpaid for Nick Foligno, and I’d likely agree with you. Considering Taylor Hall went for a second-round pick and a roster player, it’s hard to see how Foligno warranted a first-round pick. That being said, Foligno is precisely what the Leafs needed. He’s a great defensive forward who has that grit the Leafs have lacked in recent years.

Acquiring goaltender “Big Save” Dave Rittich was the icing on the cake. All they had to give up was a third-round pick. Frederik Andersen’s health is in question so the Leafs grabbed a very capable goaltender to split time with Jack Campbell, who won the first 11 starts of his season.

You’ve got to tip your hat to the Leafs for being creative by acquiring the injured Riley Nash for a conditional seventh-round pick. They proceeded to put him on the long-term injured reserve list, which freed up the required cap space for them to make their moves.

Loser: Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are squarely in “win now” mode. Blake Wheeler (34 years old) isn’t getting any younger and neither is Paul Stastny (35 years old). Additionally, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor, and Pierre Luc-Dubois are in their respective primes. So their decision to do nothing other than acquire depth defenseman Jordie Benn from the Vancouver Canucks was a bit baffling.

It’s clear the Maple Leafs are the best team in the North Division. The Jets did nothing to close that gap, nor did they do anything to separate themselves as the second-best team in the North Division. They really needed to add a defenseman and though they got Benn, they needed someone who could make a difference.