The Best Deadline-Day Pickup in Each of the Past 10 NHL Seasons

The NHL trade deadline is much anticipated by front offices and fans because it offers a reset on the season. Early bets that didn't work and injuries that impact depth can be addressed, usually in exchange for draft picks or prospects.

There are a few teams each season with a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup, and those teams will be most active at the deadline. Why do they do it? Winning it all doesn't present itself every season, and general managers who don't pull the trigger and address roster issues are perceived as being weak or lacking vision.

Here are the best deadline pickups over the last decade and their immediate results for the acquiring teams.

Deadline 2004: Tampa Bay Lightning Acquire Darryl Sydor

STEVE NESIUS/Associated Press

The Trade: On January 27, 2004, the Tampa Bay Lightning acquired veteran defender Darryl Sydor from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The trade involved an exchange of draft picks and Alexander Svitov heading to Columbus.

The Immediate Impact: Sydor proved to be a key addition because of the long grind of the 2004 playoff season. An effective defender, he added quality and depth to the Lightning blue line.

The Long-Term Impact: Tampa Bay kept Sydor for another season and were productive with their draft pick, Mike Lundin. The Blue Jackets traded their pick to Calgary, who chose Dustin Boyd in the 2004 draft. Svitov played the entire 2006-07 season in Columbus before returning to the KHL. He remains a productive player in Russia. 

Deadline 2006: Edmonton Oilers Acquire Dwayne Roloson

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

The Trade: On March 8, 2006, the Edmonton Oilers acquired veteran goalie Dwayne Roloson from the Minnesota Wild. Edmonton surrendered its 2006 first-round selection in the deal. 

The Immediate Impact: The Oilers caught fire with Roloson and secured the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Edmonton enjoyed a wonderful playoff run that would last until Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. Roloson's injury in Game 1 of the finals was the most significant event of the series.

The Long-Term Impact: Roloson would play three more seasons with the Oilers, to varying degrees of success. The draft pick—Trevor Lewis—became property of the Los Angeles Kings at the 2006 draft in a trade for Pavol Demitra.

Deadline 2007: Buffalo Sabres Acquire Dainius Zubrus

David Duprey/Associated Press

The Trade: On February 27, 2007, the Buffalo Sabres made a deal for Dainius Zubrus. They also acquired Timo Helbling in the trade with the Washington Capitals. Going the other way was Jiri Novotny and a 2007 first-round pick.

The Immediate Impact: Zubrus was effective as a rental, scoring eight points in 15 playoff games for the Sabres in the spring of 2007. Buffalo would lose to the Ottawa Senators in the semifinals, but the addition of Zubrus helped the club. 

The Long-Term Impact: The New Jersey Devils signed Zubrus in the summer of 2007, and he's been a productive player for them since. Washington received very little from Novotny, who was with the Columbus Blue Jackets by the fall of 2007. The draft pick was traded to the San Jose Sharks, who used it on Nick Petricki. He has only played in one NHL game in his career thus far.

Deadline 2008: Detroit Red Wings Acquire Brad Stuart

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

The Trade: On February 26, 2008, the Detroit Red Wings acquired defender Brad Stuart from the Los Angeles Kings. The transaction was completed in exchange for two draft picks.

The Immediate Impact: Stuart brought his reliable defensive game to Detroit and flourished, helping the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup. He was an effective player throughout the spring.

The Long-Term Impact: Detroit got excellent short- and long-term value in the deal, as Stuart hung around through 2012. He remains an NHL regular through today, playing this season for the Colorado Avalanche. Los Angeles acquired the selections used on goalie Peter Delmas and Ben Chiarot but sent the Chiarot selection away to the Atlanta Thrashers before he was drafted.

Deadline 2009: Pittsburgh Penguins Acquire Bill Guerin

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

The Trade: On March 4, 2009, the Pittsburgh Penguins dealt a conditional draft pick to the New York Islanders for veteran Bill Guerin.

The Immediate Impact: Guerin caught fire after the trade and was a big factor in the Penguins' Stanley Cup victory. His 15 playoff points ranked No. 3 among Penguins scorers.

The Long-Term Impact: Guerin hung around for one more season and then retired, completing a strong career. The Islanders traded the pick to the Arizona Coyotes, who selected Mike Lee in the third round of the 2009 draft. He has not yet played in an NHL game.

Deadline 2010: Boston Bruins Acquire Dennis Seidenberg

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

The Trade: On March 3, 2010, the Boston Bruins dealt Craig Weller, Byron Bitz and a second-round pick to the Florida Panthers. The Panther sent Dennis Seidenberg and Matt Bartkowski the other way.

The Immediate Impact: The Bruins didn't win the 2010 Stanley Cup but were victorious a year later, with Seidenberg playing a major role.

The Long-Term Impact: Boston did very well in the trade, acquiring a top-flight defender in Seidenberg and a developing prospect in Bartkowski. Both men have played extensively for Boston in the years since the deal. Florida acquired marginal talents in Bitz and Weller. The draft pick was used on Alex Petrovic, who continues to spend his time between the AHL and NHL in pursuit of full-time employment with the Panthers.

Deadline 2011: Los Angeles Kings Acquire Dustin Penner

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

The Trade: On February 28, 2011, the Los Angeles Kings traded defenseman Colten Teubert, a 2011 first-round pick and a conditional 2012 third-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers for Dustin Penner. 

The Immediate Impact: Penner helped the Kings in 2011's playoffs, but they fell short of winning it all. Los Angeles won the Stanley Cup in 2012, with the big winger posting 11 points in 20 games.

The Long-Term Impact: Los Angeles employed Penner until the spring of 2013, when he moved on to the Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals. He is currently a free agent and may not play this season. Edmonton didn't get much from Teubert, but the draft pick was used on Oscar Klefbom, and he is now emerging as a productive NHL defender. The conditional pick—given if the Kings won the Cup in 2011—did not come to fruition.

Deadline 2012: Jeff Carter Traded to Los Angeles Kings

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

The Trade: On February 23, 2012, the Los Angeles Kings traded Jack Johnson and a first-round selection to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jeff Carter. As reported by NHL.com senior managing editor Shawn P. Roarke, the Kings were looking for added scoring in the trade. 

The Immediate Impact: Los Angeles won the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014, giving the franchise their first two championships. Carter's impact on both seasons was large and impressive in the playoffs. Johnson was a solid addition for Columbus, but he didn't reach the heights managed by Carer in Los Angeles.

The Long-Term Impact: The Kings have one of the best forwards in the game in Carter, and he remains vital to the team's offense. Johnson is a solid regular for the Blue Jackets, and Marko Dano—the draft pick—is continuing his development. So far, this is a short- and long-term win for Los Angeles.

Deadline 2013: Tampa Bay Lightning Acquire Ben Bishop

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

The Trade: On April 23, 2013, the Tampa Bay Lightning dealt forward Cory Conacher and a fourth-round pick to the Ottawa Senators for goalie Ben Bishop. The NHL.com report at the time of the trade suggested the Lightning were hoping to sign Bishop long term. 

The Immediate Impact: Bishop delivered for Tampa Bay right away and is now regarded as one of the NHL's best goaltenders. The trade turned an area of weakness into a strength. Conacher had little impact for Ottawa and would be lost on waivers to the Buffalo Sabres in 2014.

The Long-Term Impact: Tampa Bay won this trade in the short term and may be the long-range winners, too. Bishop has played over 100 games for the Lightning since arriving and has delivered quality play. Conacher was lost for the waiver price and Ottawa's draft pick—Tobias Lindberg—looks like he's years away from helping.

Deadline 2014: Marian Gaborik to the Los Angeles Kings

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

The Trade: On March 5, 2014, the Columbus Blues Jackets traded Marian Gaborik to the Los Angeles Kings. In return, they acquired Matt Frattin along with draft picks in 2014 and 2015.

The Immediate Impact: Los Angeles won the Stanley Cup, with Gaborik scoring 14 goals in 26 playoff games. He was a huge factor in the Kings' success. The trade accomplished exactly what was hoped for, and for that reason, it has to be judged as an exceptional deal for the Cup winners.

The Long-Term Impact: Gaborik signed on with Los Angeles for seven years and, despite injury issues, is among the leaders in team in scoring. Columbus dealt Frattin to Toronto in the summer of 2014 and traded the draft pick. Dominic Turgeon was selected with the 2014 pick but that selection had been traded to the Detroit Red Wings before draft day.