NHL Trade Deadline: breaking down 3 winners and 3 losers

The NHL trade deadline is finally behind us and it was an exciting one to say the least. Here are three winners and three losers from the chaos.

Team’s assessing their current playoff chances have made moves to either make a playoff run or rebuild for the future. So who came out better out as the winners and the losers of these deals?

Here are three winners and three losers from the NHL trade deadline.

Trade Deadline Winner – Ducks

The Ducks are a team that can compete but they do not have a realistic chance at winning a cup any time soon. Anaheim has embraced its rebuild by trading away many of its veterans for picks and prospects. The Ducks made a great move by trading Hampus Lindholm to the Bruins. The 28-year-old defensemen had an expiring contract mixed with declining play amongst the last few years. In exchange, the Ducks secured a first-round pick, two second-round picks, and an elite young prospect.

Anaheim also dealt Rickard Rakell at the deadline to further increase its draft capital. Rakell is an elite scorer and will be a weapon on for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Anaheim received a second-round pick and two excellent depth players in exchange for the 28-year-old winger.

Rakell was also a piece that seems to be passing his prime. Rakell’s best seasons were in ’17 and ’18 when he had a combined 120 points in two seasons. Rakell has only netted 28 points in his 51 games this season but could rejuvenate his career in Pittsburgh.

Trade Deadline Loser – Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs had a quiet trade deadline despite lots of hype and rumors throughout the last couple months. The team was expected to make a move for a goalie and a defensemen yet the team only had one big signing.

Mark Giordano was the big move for the Maple Leafs and he will boost the defensive unit for Toronto. Giordano is a 38-year-old that can control the puck and help hold possession at the blue line. The Leafs also received Colin Blackwell in their deal with the Seattle Kraken. Blackwell is a depth forward who could be useful on the Leafs fourth line. Toronto had to give up second- and  third-round picks to make this deal happen.

Toronto’s deal to secure Giordano was not a bad trade. Rather the fact there were great players available the team did not pursue is the issue. The team missed out on Marc-Andre Fleury, JT Miller, Calvin De Haan, and more. How will the Maple Leafs compete with teams that did vastly improve?

Trade Deadline Winner – Florida Panthers

The Panthers were a team looking to become the Stanley Cup favorites at the trade deadline this year. The team is only three points away from the Colorado Avalanche for the President’s Trophy and added several elite players to their roster.

Claude Giroux was the first addition to the Panthers top six and he will help create scoring chances and win faceoffs moving forward. Giroux’s versatility as a winger and a center will greatly benefit this Panthers team because they have struggled winning faceoffs all season. The Panthers only gave up 23-year-old Owen Tippett, a first-round pick, and a third-round choice to make this deal happen. Florida will still have plenty of picks in the coming years and now has a legitimate shot at a title.

Ben Chiarot was the other huge acquisition for the Panthers. Chariot solidifies Florida’s defensive pairing with Chiarot and Ekblad as the first pair. Chiarot’s size and experience is just what this team needs for a playoff run. He possesses great two-way ability and puck control to support an explosive top six forward group. The cats gave up first- and fourth-round picks, but consider it a bargain if Chiarot stays in Florida long-term.

Trade Deadline Loser – Coyotes

The Coyotes were the perfect candidate to sell many of their players yet the trade deadline ended somewhat quietly for Arizona.

The Coyotes had the opportunity to trade away two high profile players, Jacob Chychrun and Phil Kessel. The team failed to move either of these pieces and instead opted to trade for prospects. The Coyotes acquired 23-year-old Nathan Smith and forward Bryan Little in exchange for a fourth-round pick.

Arizona also traded away its goalie, Scott Wedgewood, before the deadline. Wedgewood would make an excellent addition to a contending team. He has kept a save percentage of .911 despite his team’s abysmal defensive play. The Coyotes only received a conditional fourth-round pick through this trade.

Arizona had a chance to do something special before the deadline passed. It received no first-round picks and no second-round picks at the deadline.

Despite a flop this year, the Coyotes have a lot to look forward to. The team has seven picks in the first two rounds this year. While they could have done more, they still look set for a bright future.

Trade Deadline Winner – Wild

The Minnesota Wild have had stretches this season where they have looked really good and others that have looked horrendous. The team is currently 5-4-1 in its last 10 games and stand in third place in the central division. The Wild were in desperate need of a move to separate themselves from the wild card teams and to compete during this year’s playoffs.

Minnesota acquired a top goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury, trading for the veteran. While Fleury has had a bit of an off year, he’s still regarded as one of the best in the business and an asset to a playoff contender. Fleury has been a part of 15 playoff teams and kept a save percentage of .912 throughout that span. He was an x-factor for the Vegas Golden Knights expansion team and he should be for the Wild this season.

The Wild also acquired Jacob Middleton to bulk up their defense. Middleton is a 26-year old defensemen and he has played solid for the Sharks this year. The Wild gave up Kaapo Kahkonen and a draft pick to acquire the 6-foot-3, 219-pounder. He can develop into an elite defensemen in the coming years but also make an impact as a depth player immediately.

The Wild should be in a great position to challenge top dogs like the Avalanche in the West.

Trade Deadline Loser – Sharks

The Sharks made the mistake of buying at the deadline when they should have been selling to rebuild their team.

Kaapo Kahkonen was the biggest acquisition for the Sharks this deadline. Sa Jose gave up Jacob Middleton and a draft pick to acquire the 25-year-old goalie. Kahkonen is an excellent young piece for the Sharks. He played 25 games this season and kept a .910 save percentage in that span.

The Sharks also made a trade with the Lightning, acquiring Antoine Morand in exchange for Alexei Melnichuk, a 23-year-old goaltender. Neither of these players are expected to make an impact for their team this season

The Sharks, similar to the Coyotes, had a chance to sell some of their veterans this season. Thomas Hertl was rumored to be on the trade block, yet the Sharks refused to move their 28-year forward.

The Sharks are currently ten points behind the Golden Knights for a wild card position and this year’s trade deadline did not improve their playoff chances this year or in the future. San Jose appears to be hurting its franchise by prolonging an inevitable rebuild.