We're closing in on one month since the NHL’s trade deadline on March 7, and a lot's happened since then.
One team that stood quiet looks like a group of geniuses one month later, while teams that looked like winners right away are holding up to that designation. Other squads that weren't among the top immediate winners are proving they do deserve to be considered for that category.
In alphabetical order, let's look at six of the biggest winners since the NHL trade deadline approaching the one-month mark.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche made their defense corps one of the deepest in the NHL by adding Ryan Lindgren and Erik Johnson. They then brought in center Brock Nelson to lock down the No. 2 center role.
Colorado is the third-hottest NHL team since the deadline, going 10-2-2. They’re averaging two goals against per game in that span, which is tied for the second fewest. Nelson also has four goals and 10 points in 14 games, which is the type of secondary scoring Colorado needed. Deadline acquisition Charlie Coyle also has five points while averaging 13:32 in ice time.
The major long-term question is whether the team will be better off after trading former pending UFA Mikko Rantanen, who signed an eight-year contract extension with the Dallas Stars. Martin Necas has 26 points in 27 games in Rantanen’s place.
Nevertheless, the Avalanche’s moves on trade deadline week have paid off well – and that’s why they’re one of the more frightening teams heading into the playoffs.
Dallas Stars
Dallas has gone 9-2-2 since the deadline, and its big pickup – star right winger Rantanen – has fit right in. He has nine assists and 13 points in 13 games as one of five Stars players averaging at least a point per game since March 7. Earlier acquisition Mikael Granlund also has six goals and 18 points in 24 games since joining Dallas.
Rantanen is one of the reasons the Stars are now in a position to challenge the Winnipeg Jets for the top spot in the highly competitive Central Division. Tyler Seguin could even return in the playoffs as well, and if they get past the first round, Miro Heiskanen could also return.
Dallas GM Jim Nill’s willingness to step up and make big swings at the trade deadline is one of the reasons why the Stars are once again asserting themselves as a Stanley Cup front-runner.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators made one of the biggest moves at the deadline, picking up center Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres for center Josh Norris as part of a package deal.
Since the deadline, the Senatorshave gone 9-4-1, solidifying their hold on the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot and getting within a hot streak of challenging the Florida Panthers for third place in the Atlantic Division.
Cozens has six assists and nine points in 14 games as a Senator, and that’s music to Ottawa’s ears. Six of those points came at even strength, which comes out to one-third of Norris's 18 even-strength points in 53 games for Ottawa this season.
While Fabian Zetterlund only has one assist in that span, he’s taken the fifth-most shots on net on the team since March 7, and he’s generating enough chances to suggest he’s due for goals.
If the Sens pull off a first-round upset, the price they paid at the deadline will be well worth it – if it isn’t worth it already.
Almost There: Ottawa Senators Set To End Playoff Drought Before Red Wings, SabresThe Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings all had the same goal this season.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues didn’t make any trades at the deadline. Sometimes, the moves you don’t make are more important than the ones you do, and that’s certainly true for St. Louis this year.
The Blues are enjoying an 11-game win streak that’s pushed them into the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. They might not have gotten there had they traded captain Brayden Schenn, as was heavily rumored at the deadline.
So yes, St. Louis should be on this list, as they’ve been one of the biggest winners because of their decisions at the deadline. They could’ve been much more active, but that could’ve sunk their season. Standing pat absolutely was the right choice for them.
The Blues Are The Wild Card Team That No One Wants To Face In The PlayoffsIn both style and substance, the St. Louis Blues look a lot like a team
that was pretty successful six years ago.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are 7-5-1 since the deadline, but they’ve won four of their last five games to move into second place in the Atlantic.
Tampa Bay’s big pre-deadline move brought in forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken. Both players have done well in the early going with the Lightning, as Gourde has nine assists in 14 games, and Bjorkstrand has four goals and six points in 14 games.
Neither player has to do the heavy lifting for Tampa Bay, but the Lightning needed that quality depth in their lineup. Gourde already has more points for the Bolts than Zemgus Girgensons’ six points in 75 games and Luke Glendening’s seven points in 74 games, and he has as many as Cam Atkinson’s nine points in 38 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs
It’s true the Maple Leafshaven’t gotten much offensive production from forward Scott Laughton since spending a first-round draft pick to acquire him from Philadelphia. Still, Laughton has looked more comfortable of late, and he’s now a better fit as a winger on Toronto’s third line.
The reason why the Leafs are on this list is the play of veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo, who has been very solid since the Buds acquired him from Boston. Carlo has proven to be a great fit with Morgan Rielly on Toronto’s first defense pairing, and the Leafs also needed more of his physical edge and shot-blocking ability.
Toronto has gone 8-4-1 since the deadline to move into the top spot in the Atlantic, and they’re a tougher team to play against ahead of a pressure-filled playoff run.
Get the
latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by
subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below
the article on THN.com.
