For hockey fans, NHL trade deadline day can feel like a Bizarro version of Christmas morning—you're thrilled to get that new toy, but at the same time, you're forced to part with an old favourite.

ST. PAUL - This is becoming an annual article, it seems. It is why Minnesota is called the State of Hockey.

By Tony Ferrari, Features Writer

The Flyers fell to 0-4-0 on their homestand with a 3-1 loss Sunday afternoon to the Devils.

The Flyers fell to 0-4-0 on their homestand with a 3-1 loss Sunday afternoon to the Devils.

Dennis Cholowski was at home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, watching TV with his wife when he was notified that the New York Islanders had traded him to the New Jersey Devils.

After the NHL’s 2025 trade deadline has passed, there are bubble teams out there who may or may not look the same. Let’s look at five of those teams and see what their immediate future looks like. In alphabetical order:

Victor Söderström didn’t want to give up on the NHL so early, but it seems that he didn’t see a path to that dream running through Salt Lake City. Playing this season for Brynäs IF in the SHL, he learned on Friday – the NHL trade deadline – that his NHL rights had been traded from Utah HC to the Chicago Blackhawks along with the rights to Shea Weber – who hasn’t played since 2021 and is essentially retired – in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick.

The Chicago Blackhawks must be loving what they're seeing from one of their prospects, Nick Lardis. This 19-year-old 2023 third round pick has been absolutely lighting up the OHL this season and has joined some incredible company with his goal scoring abilities.

After months of rumors, the Buffalo Sabres traded Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators on deadline day. The Sabres sent Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a 2026 second-round pick to Ottawa in exchange for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.