All articles tagged with #nhl trade deadline
With the March 6 trade deadline near, the Washington Capitals reportedly plan to move on from veteran defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, potentially paving the way for top prospect Cole Hutson to join the NHL roster as soon as mid-March; Hutson could arrive from Boston University to bolster the defense, while TVR’s $3 million cap hit and looming free agency factor into the decision.
The St. Louis Blues reportedly want three first-round-style assets to move center Robert Thomas—likely an established young player, a drafted prospect, and a first-round pick—on top of his eight-year, $65 million no-move clause, which means any trade would require his consent. Thomas has 11 goals and 33 points in 42 games this season, but Blues’ big-price, multi-partner ask and the no-move hurdle suggest any deal may not happen before the trade deadline and could come in the summer as the club weighs retool vs. rebuild.
Artemi Panarin was traded from the New York Rangers to the Los Angeles Kings just before the NHL’s Olympic roster freeze, in exchange for forward prospect Liam Greentree (a 2024 first-round pick) and a conditional third-round pick that becomes a second-round pick if L.A. wins a playoff series, plus a 2028 fourth-round pick if the Kings reach the second round. The Rangers will retain half of Panarin’s prorated $11.6 million salary this season, and Panarin is expected to sign a two-year extension with L.A. at about $11 million per year; the move signals a Rangers retool as they pivot around their core.
The New York Rangers are nearing a trade to send defenseman Carson Soucy to the New York Islanders, with terms still being finalized and Soucy likely held out for roster management ahead of a game vs. Boston. The 6-foot-4 left-shot defender owns a $3.25 million cap hit and was acquired from Vancouver at the 2025 deadline; the Rangers are retooling after a disappointing season, while the Islanders—third in the Metro—would gain a left-side blueliner while Alexander Romanov recovers from shoulder surgery.
Vegas acquired defenseman Rasmus Andersson from Calgary in exchange for Zach Whitecloud, a top-10 protected 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 conditional second-round pick (becoming a first if Vegas wins the Cup), and prospect Abram Wiebe, with Calgary retaining 50% of Andersson’s $4.55 million salary. Andersson, coming off a career-best 10 goals and 30 points in 48 games, fills a need for Vegas after Alex Pietrangelo’s season-ending injury, and while no extension was in place at the time of the trade, Vegas has a history of pursuing long-term deals after these moves.
Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said he’s all-in to help the team move forward after Chris Drury’s fan letter signaling changes, stressing they’ll win every game and will navigate upcoming trades as the club eyes a retool before the Olympic break and March 6 deadline.
The Buffalo Sabres are at a crossroads with forward Alex Tuch, who is nearing free agency and could either be signed to a lucrative extension or traded for a valuable return, amid broader team rebuilding and strategic considerations about future success and loyalty. The decision is complicated by Tuch's age, performance, and the team's long-term prospects, as well as their potential trade of fellow forward JJ Peterka.
Brad Marchand, after being traded from the Boston Bruins to the Florida Panthers, played a pivotal role in their Stanley Cup victory, showcasing his resilience and leadership, and setting a high standard for in-season NHL acquisitions.
Alexander Barabanov was expected to be traded before the NHL trade deadline, but the deal fell through at the last minute, reportedly due to the San Jose Sharks using their last salary retention slot on Tomas Hertl. A source revealed that Barabanov was about to be traded to the New York Rangers before the Hertl trade shocker reached the finish line. Despite his struggles, there is still significant interest in Barabanov, and he hopes to have a strong finish to the season and find a new team in the summer.
Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals are focused on making the playoffs after the "sad day" of trading longtime teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes. The team is currently fighting for a playoff spot and dealing with the departure of several key players, including Kuznetsov, as they look to rebuild and remain competitive. Ovechkin expressed hope for the team's future and emphasized the importance of getting back to the playoffs after missing out last season.
The San Jose Sharks made several significant moves at the NHL trade deadline, including trading franchise icon Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite the emotional impact on fans, the Sharks received positive trade grades for their deals. The Hertl trade, in particular, was seen as a good move, as they acquired valuable assets for an aging player whose timeline didn't align with the team's need for a rebuild. Other trades included acquiring prospects and draft picks, as well as addressing goaltending depth.
New York Rangers' general manager Chris Drury made impactful moves at the NHL trade deadline by acquiring Alex Wennberg, Jack Roslovic, and Chad Ruhwedel without sacrificing the team's future prospects or first-round picks. While the team missed out on adding more physicality, the additions have made the Rangers a deeper and more versatile team for their playoff push. The Rangers' playoff fate will ultimately rely on the performance of their key players, but Drury's prudent approach has positioned the team well for the postseason.
The Philadelphia Flyers acquired veteran defenseman Erik Johnson from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick. Johnson, a 16-year NHL veteran, brings experience and a championship pedigree to the Flyers' young defensive group. Despite the high price, the trade provides insurance on the right side and adds valuable depth to the team's defense. The Flyers also made a paper transaction to make defenseman Ronnie Attard eligible for the AHL playoffs, and are expected to have seven defensemen once Nick Seeler returns from injury. Overall, the trade is graded as a B-.
The New York Rangers made value moves at the NHL trade deadline, acquiring a right wing, third-line center, and seventh defenseman for four draft picks, excluding their first-round selection. President and GM Chris Drury avoided overpaying and focused on filling specific team needs, emphasizing the importance of finding the best fit. Jack Roslovic was acquired from the Blue Jackets to potentially play on the top line, while Adam Edstrom was assigned to AHL Hartford. Alex Wennberg took reps on the second power-play unit and was paired with Jimmy Vesey during penalty-kill work.
The Boston Bruins made several moves ahead of the NHL trade deadline, acquiring Pat Maroon from Minnesota in exchange for Luke Toporowski and a conditional sixth-round pick, adding defenseman Andrew Peeke from Columbus in exchange for Jakub Zboril and a 2027 third-round pick, and signing blue liner Parker Wotherspoon to a one-year contract extension. The team also announced that Derek Forbort will be placed on LTIR and likely miss the remainder of the season due to surgery. Despite a quieter deadline, Bruins GM Don Sweeney believes the team is in a good spot and is pleased with the response of the team since a recent loss.