NHL Trade History: Top 10 Deadline Deals of All Time

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As the trade deadline approaches, we are excited to see what teams do with their trade assets.

The rumors swirling brings memories of deadlines past and the possibilities that this time of year can produce.

Who will be the big name moved, and what team will position themselves for a playoff push?

These are the top 10 deadline deals that have made the deadline enjoyable.

Lubomir Visnovsky

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March 4, 2010: Anaheim Ducks acquire Lubomir Visnovsky from the Edmonton Oilers for Ryan Whitney and a 2010 sixth-round draft pick.

This trade has been successful on both sides. Visnovsky has been the captain of the power play and has helped ease the transition on defense with the retirement of Scott Niedermayer. Whitney, on the other hand, has made himself at home with Edmonton and has played great.

Current Comparison

Tomas Kaberle for Ian White.

Ron Francis

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March 4, 1991: Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Ron Francis, Grant Jennings and Ulf Samuelsson from Hartford for John Cullen, Jeff Parker and Zarley Zalapski.

When the Hartford mainstay was shipped to Pittsburgh, it was a real shock. He could've made Hartford a contender for years to come.

Francis was a great player and a great leader, and Pittsburgh got the best of the deal before he went to Carolina to finish his career.

Current Comparison

Marc Savard to Carolina for a defenseman and prospects.

Pavel Bure

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March 18, 2002: New York Rangers acquire Pavel Bure and 2002 second-round draft pick (Lee Falardeau) from the Florida Panthers for Igor Ulanov, rights to Filip Novak and 2002 first- and second-round draft picks (Petr Taticek and Rob Globke).

When Bure was traded to the New York Rangers from Florida, he was a perennial point machine. The Russian Rocket didn't stick around long enough to be as good as he could have been.

The Panthers got a lot in return but wasted the picks, and the players were duds.

Current Comparison

Danny Briere to Atlanta for prospects and picks.

Ray Bourque

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March 6, 2000: Colorado Avalanche acquire Ray Bourque and Dave Andreychuk from the Boston Bruins for Brian Rolston, Samuel Pahlsson, Martin Grenier and a 2000 first-round draft pick (RW Martin Samuelsson).

This was a trade that sent key pieces to the Avalanche that eventually helped them win the Cup. It was a solid trade for both teams, but Colorado was the obvious winner.

Current Comparison

Shea Weber to San Jose in return for parts of their third and fourth lines.

Peter Stastny

March 6, 1990: New Jersey acquires Peter Stastny from Quebec for Craig Wolanin and future considerations.

Peter the Great was a game-changer in his time.

The trade was towards the end of his career, but Peter Stastny still had the ability to make plays happen.

It was a good move by a New Jersey team looking for a future and a face.

Current Comparison

Tomas Kaberle to Nashville.

Tony Amonte

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March 21, 1994: Chicago Blackhawks acquire Tony Amonte and the rights to Matt Oates from NY Rangers for Stephane Matteau and Brian Noonan.

Tony Amonte went on to have a solid stint with the Blackhawks and was a big part of the team for almost a decade.

Everyone else in the deal didn't make that big of an impact.

Current Comparison

Jason Spezza to anywhere outside Canada.

Marian Hossa

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February 26, 2008: Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis from the Atlanta Thrashers for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito, and a 2008 first-round draft pick (Daultan Leveille).

If you want to win, you have to surround your talent with talent.

The Penguins went big and rented Hossa in the hopes he’d help the team win a Cup. He came just short, but the move proved Pittsburgh wanted to win.

Current Comparison

Hossa going to Philadelphia or whoever loses in the Finals this year.

Ryan Miller

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March 23, 1999: Buffalo Sabres acquire a fifth-round pick (G Ryan Miller) and D Rhett Warrener from Florida Panthers for D Mike Wilson.

When you trade a fifth-round pick, you don’t expect that pick to be a Vezina-winning goaltender. Ryan Miller has defied the odds and made Buffalo look like geniuses in the process.

Current Comparison

Every team in the league looks for the diamond in the rough.

Dino Ciccarelli

March 7, 1989: Washington Capitals acquire Dino Ciccarelli and Bob Rouse from the Minnesota North Stars for Mike Gartner and Larry Murphy.

Dino Ciccarelli was a solid player with a lot of talent. He talked a lot but backed it up at both ends of the ice.

Ciccarelli played a truly unique style of hockey, and he didn't stay in Washington long.

When he left the North Stars, it was a true deadline shocker.

Current Comparison

Another North Star being shipped away? Brad Richards?

Marcel Dionne

March 10, 1987: NY Rangers acquire Marcel Dionne, Jeff Crossman and Los Angeles' third-round choice in 1989 draft from Los Angeles for Bob Carpenter and Tom Laidlaw.

Any time you have the great Marcel Dionne in the mix, it has to be a big deal.

Dionne currently ranks fourth among all-time goal scorers, with 731, and is ranked fifth in points, with 1,771. He is also ninth in career assists, with 1,040.

He didn’t do much with the Rangers, but any time a franchise player is moved late in his career, it’s a big deal.

Current Comparison

Jarome Iginla being shipped by Calgary to Tampa Bay.