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

Winner: Boston Bruins

As is their annual tradition, the Boston Bruins acquired a forward at the 2021 trade deadline. That forward? Taylor Hall, who won the Hart Trophy in 2018. Since then, Hall has had a rough go of it. After scoring 39 goals in the 2017-18 season, he has scored just 29 goals in 135 games since, including just two this season.

Even with his unfortunate luck, Hall has been a productive player. He’s a playmaker who can make those around him better. The Boston Bruins were able to get him and depth forward Curtis Lazar for merely a second-round pick and Anders Bjork, who was a bit of a surplus forward anyway.

Yes, Hall’s no-movement clause certainly played a role in the low price tag. But the Bruins just got a very skilled forward and they did it for a very reasonable price.

Loser: Buffalo Sabres

Kevyn Adams did not have a strong trade deadline in his first year as the Buffalo Sabres general manager. While he did get something for Brandon Montour, he got virtually nothing for Hall. The Blue Jackets found a way to get first round picks for David Savard and Nick Foligno (who, by the way, had a no-movement clause just like Hall).

Why didn’t the Sabres wait for a better offer for Hall? They didn’t have to take it the day before the trade deadline. The Sabres simply could have waited to see if anything better emerged. This is why the Sabres are stuck in mediocrity.