NHL Trade Deadline Winners & Losers for all 31 Franchises
- Michael Obermuller
- Apr 13, 2021
- 10 min read
It was a relatively quiet NHL Trade Deadline day yesterday (April 12, 2021), in what has already been a unique truncated season. Part of this can be attributed to the uncertainty franchises are facing the next couple of seasons (between the pandemic hits, possible cap changes, and the upcoming expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken). One of the most notable deals actually occured months ago, when Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic were sent from the Winnipeg Jets to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Pierre-Luc Dubois and draft capital. Based on the standings, the Jets seem to have gotten the better end of that blockbuster bargain — but who won deadline day?
Our coverage of the NHL Trade Deadline will showcase the league's biggest winners and losers for both BUYERS and SELLERS, of any deals that occured from March 1 to April 12 (but I will at least mention all 31 NHL franchises). This will take into account preseason projections and expectations, as well a lack of aggressiveness from a franchise's front office. First up, the most successful BUYERS.
BUYERS who WON the day
Boston Bruins
Obviously the B's are the big winners this year, after acquiring a former MVP in Taylor Hall. The key question will be whether or not it's the RIGHT fit for Boston. Hall only has two goals in 37 games this season, with a minus-21 influence on the ice. The Bruins will hope to unlock the goalscorer's potential, but either way it's a victory for Bruce Cassidy's squad at this low of a price-tag (Anders Bjork and a 2nd, plus they got Curtis Lazar in the deal). It's also a win for Taylor Hall himself, who needs to redeem his value heading into another free agent offseason. The B's finish the day by bringing in defenseman Mike Reilly from Ottawa for depth on the blue line.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs are the best team in hockey right now, so they didn't need to do a ton, but they did have a couple areas to improve heading towards the postseason. One issue was at goaltender, with Pavel Francouz sidelined. Colorado brings in a cheap veteran replacement in Devan Dubnyk, to back-up starter Philipp Grubauer. They also add another center, and a familiar face in Carl Soderberg (sending back very little in return). Finally, D-man Patrik Nemeth joins the Avalanche to fill the void left from sending Greg Pateryn to San Jose in the Dubnyk deal.
Montreal Canadiens
For starters, the fact that the Habs are sitting comfortably in a playoff spot right now is a big-time win for a franchise that never lives up to expectations. They had a positive offseason, and that continues here at the deadline with the acquisitions of Eric Staal and Jon Merrill. Sure Staal's 2021 output is actually WORSE than former teammate Taylor Hall's (four goals, seven assists, minus-26 in 37 games), but he's still a veteran center that knows what to do in the postseason, not to mention his role should be more precise with Montreal. For a 3rd and a 5th, I'd say it's a move that's worth the risk. Merrill is actually the better get if you ask me, bulking a defensive group that's already one of the more sturdy units in the NHL. Erik Gustafsson also joins that room, making the Canadiens locked and loaded for the playoffs.
New York Islanders
Now we're beginning to get to the portion of BUYERS that went "all-in," but may have overpaid a bit in comparison to the teams above. NYI probably had the best weekend out of this tier, as Lou Lamoriello doubles down on an Islanders roster that continues to perform behind wizard HC Barry Trotz. The Isles trade for two division rival veterans that know how to play in this competitive Eastern group, with ex-Devils Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri joining the Long Island franchise. The two combined for 36 points in New Jersey this season, but cost the Islanders a 1st round pick in 2021 (plus a 4th and AHL-level talent). Braydon Coburn rounds of the list of NYI acquisitions.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs have led the Canadian North the entire season, and they definitely push even more chips into the center at the deadline. They needed a goalie with Frederik Andersen out long-term, and they get one in David Rittich (an All-Star for the Calgary Flames in 2020) for a future 3rd rounder. They also add a litany of depth in Riley Nash, Antti Suomela, Stefan Noesen and Ben Hutton... none of which are all that impressive. That leaves the BIG move, veteran Nick Foligno, a former Columbus Blue Jackets captain. Foligno only has 16 points in 41 games this year, but he's a two-way player that adds even more grit and leadership to this roster (something that seemed to be a focus for Toronto this offseason). The cost was hefty, a 2021 1st and future 4th (Nash included), but it's the type of move that could finally get this Maple Leafs franchise over the top.
Anthony Mantha/Washington Capitals?
The one definite winner in the last-second Caps-Red Wings deal was Anthony Mantha himself. The 26-year old has reached 48 points twice in his NHL career with Detroit, but only has 21 this season (and a nasty minus-14 plus/minus). Considering Washington gave up Jakub Vrana, a 2021 1st, 2022 2nd, and Richard Panik (cap sell-off) in return, it did seem like a bit of a panic move by the Caps (no pun intended). At the same time, you have to think that Washington has major plans for Mantha if they paid this great of a price for him. If they win a Stanley Cup this year (and they certainly might), all is forgiven and justified. If they lose and Mantha struggles, this will go down as a COLOSSAL BUST for the Capitals. Fair to note that they also sold depth defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler to get back a 3rd rounder from the New Jersey Devils, and added Michael Raffl from Philadelphia for a 5th.
SELLERS who WON the day
Detroit Red Wings
It certainly looks like the Red Wings fleeced the Caps at the final bell, but they did give up a high ceiling young player in Anthony Mantha. Picks are great, but at some point Detroit has to start their turnaround, right? You have to be somewhat surprised that a prospect like Mantha was not part of that future, but then again they get back an equally talented 25-year old in Jakub Vrana who actually had 52 points last season. That's on top of a 2021 1st and 2022 2nd (plus Richard Panik), what a haul!
Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus was likely to regress after shattering projections as determined underdogs the last couple seasons, and they smartly counted their losses this deadline and continued their rebuild after the Laine-Dubois blunder. From Tampa Bay and Toronto respectively, the Jackets amassed two 1st round picks in 2021, a 2022 3rd, and 2022 4th for three veteran players that probably don't have a place in their future anyway (Savard, Foligno, Nash).
New Jersey Devils
The Devils lose a couple of players that have been with their franchise a long time in Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri, but both are free agents after the season and rentals for the Islanders. If New Jersey really wanted, they could probably re-sign one or both of the vets. They also send Dmitry Kulikov packing, a soldier of fortune for NJ in 2021. The overall return is a 2021 1st and two 2022 4th's, plus Jonas Siegenthaler in a separate deal with Washington.
Quick Hitters (Minor Winners)
Tampa Bay Lightning - TB continues to build championship pedigree teams, as top-four defenseman David Savard joins a Lightning unit that already flaunts Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh and Mikhail Sergachev. It wasn't cheap though, with a 2021 1st and 2022 3rd heading to Columbus.
Pittsburgh Penguins - Veteran Cup Champion Jeff Carter joins a franchise with a similar track record.
Carolina Hurricanes - The Canes add a sturdy defenseman in Jani Hakanpaa, which continues to supplement their contending roster after making a deal for Cedric Paquette earlier this season.
Chicago Blackhawks - The Blackhawks made a lot of moves, but ended up minor winners as SELLERS not buyers. For fans that wanted Chicago to push for playoffs, they didn't exactly do that, but they could make it anyway as the race for the final Central spot isn't the most highly contested one. A mix of prospects and journeymen join the Blackhawks, including names like Brett Connolly, Vinnie Hinostroza, Adam Gaudette, Henrik Borgstrom and more. On the other hand, players like Mattias Janmark, Lucas Wallmark, Matthew Highmore and Madison Bowey among others depart. Chicago does also gain a 2021 2nd, 4th, 7th and 2022 3rd in the exchanges to continue their rebuild, which has been gaining traction the last season or so.
BUYERS who LOST the Day
Edmonton Oilers
Most agree that this was the time for the Oilers to finally make Championship contender type trades with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl playing at such a high level, but all they ended up doing was acquire Dmitry Kulikov from the Devils. It's not like Edmonton has no areas of need, they have plenty. The bottom six forward depth and second and third D-pairings could have certainly been improved upon more than they elected to.
Nashville Predators
The Preds may not have considered themselves to be BUYERS this season, but I think they should have been. They have an aging core that has regressed the last couple seasons despite a few retoolings and a coaching change, and their lead for the final Central playoff position is slim at best. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson is the only addition in Nashville at the deadline.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers made a plethora of deals for various players, but I felt the result was quantity over quality in Florida. Brandon Montour, Sam Bennett, Nikita Gusev and Lucas Wallmark headline the list of underachiever acquisitions. It's been a break-through campaign for Joel Quenneville and this Panthers team, but I'm not sure they did enough to get past Tampa Bay and Carolina in the Central playoffs (especially after the Aaron Ekblad injury).
Minnesota Wild
The Wild have been a pleasant surprise at least to me. I expected them to make the playoffs in the West, just not THIS easily. I still find it hard to believe that they'll upset either Colorado or Vegas in the first round of the playoffs with the current amount of talent on the opposing rosters, and the front office didn't help even the odds by doing absolutely nothing to bolster this unit at the deadline.
Vancouver Canucks
Heading into the 2021 season, everyone would have pegged Vancouver as future BUYERS at the deadline, but a disapointing season has put them in no man's land. They did not really buy or sell, knowing that they'll likely miss the playoffs either way. It's a real shame for a franchise that had so much promise heading into this campaign.
Arizona Coyotes/St. Louis Blues
Both elected to do nothing, despite battling for the final playoff spot in the West Division. The only silver lining for Arizona and St. Louis is that they're on an even playing field in this regard.
SELLERS who LOST the DAY
Buffalo Sabres
When Buffalo brought in Taylor Hall and Eric Staal, the idea behind it was to supplement Jack Eichel with enough experience and talent to finally win. The opposite occurred, and both Hall and Staal were such a detriment that they hardly had any trade value at the deadline. The fact that the Sabres only received Anders Bjork, a 2021 2nd, two 3rds and a 5th for the two vets and Brandon Montour is unacceptable, and explains why Buffalo has been so bad for so long.
Anaheim Ducks
For a franchise this poor, how do you not make a single sell-off at the trade deadline besides getting a 5th rounder for Ben Hutton?
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are technically still in contention in 2021, but they should really be looking beyond this campaign. Instead they only choose to SELL Devan Dubnyk and Antti Soumela, netting them insignificant 4th and 5th round picks. San Jose needs more draft capital than that to turn this franchise around.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers aren't losers because of the moves they've made (minor sell-offs of Erik Gustafsson and Michael Raffl), they're losers because they were forced into becoming SELLERS after sorely underperforming this season. Carter Hart has been an abomination in net, and that's obviously concerning being that this whole team's future is centered around his dominance. Philly has to figure Hart out first and foremost, the rest will follow.
Calgary Flames
Continuing the theme of win-now SELLERS, Calgary has been just as pitiful as Philadelphia in 2021. The Flames franchise is at a crossroads with their current core, and for now they decided to sell high on David Rittich for a future 3rd and swap Sam Bennett for Emil Heineman and a 2022 Panthers 2nd. Moves that leave the future very much in doubt.
Ottawa Senators
The Sens have been near the top of SELLER hauls in recent years, but they decide to keep things simple in 2021. Their best move was flipping defenseman Mike Reilly for a 3rd, and then picking up a cheap replacement in Victor Mete off waivers.
Quick Hitters (Minor Losers)
Dallas Stars - One year after losing the Stanley Cup, Dallas finds themselves in a weird position. They still have a shot at the Central's fourth and final playoff spot because of their games in hand, but they also may be better suited to gear up for 2022 because of the amount of injuries they've had this season (not to mention the Covid outbreak at the start of the year). In the end the Stars do nothing, which hurts their chances in 2021, but may end up being the smart move long-term.
New York Rangers - The Rangers are in a great place for the next five years or so, with prospects hitting Broadway left and right, but for those fans that wanted to see them go for it in 2021, that didn't happen. To be fair, it was never going to though. Brendan Lemieux is sent packing for a 4th in the only notable NYR trade.
Vegas Golden Knights - Would have possibly liked to see Vegas be slightly more aggressive, but this is a solidly built team with Cup aspirations either way (Mattias Janmark comes over from Chicago for a 2021 2nd and 2022 3rd).
Winnipeg Jets - Besides bringing in Jordie Benn on defense, Winnipeg was lackadaisical this trade deadline (but they did clearly win the Dubois deal earlier this season).
Los Angeles Kings - As SELLERS, the Kings might have done more to carry on with building their next contender. They do rid themselves of Jeff Carter for a future 3rd and 4th, but otherwise they didn't do much besides take fliers on Brendan Lemieux and Christian Wolanin.
That's it for the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline. Are you happy with your team's decisions? Comment with your thoughts on Facebook or Twitter (@the_mizzardFF) and let's start a discussion!
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