2024 NHL Trade Deadline: Live Grades for All the Biggest Deals
The NHL's annual trade deadline is 3 p.m. ET today.
Activity in the trade market picked up recently with several deals taking place over the past two days. The most recent occurred overnight with the Carolina Hurricanes acquiring Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Six significant trades took place on Wednesday. They included the Calgary Flames sending defenseman Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights and the Buffalo Sabres shipping center Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche for blueliner Bowen Byram.
Several players who appeared on our March 1 NHL Trade Block Big Board, such as Vladimir Tarasenko and Adam Henrique, have also changed teams. Tarasenko was dealt by the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers while Henrique was moved by the Anaheim Ducks to the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite these early moves, noteworthy players such as New Jersey Devils winger Tyler Toffoli, Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom, and St. Louis Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich remain among the trade candidates. At least one of them could be changing teams today.
Here are our grades for the biggest deals of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. We've also included a recap and grades of the major trades over the past two days.
Vegas Golden Knights Land Tomáš Hertl from the San Jose Sharks
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Tomáš Hertl was not on anyone's list as a trade candidate leading up to this year's deadline. However, in a shocking move, the San Jose Sharks packaged the 29-year-old center with their third-rounders in 2025 and 2027 to the Vegas Golden Knights.
TSN's Darren Dreger reports the Golden Knights shipped prospect center David Edstrom and their 2025 first-round pick to San Jose. The Sharks also retained 17 percent of Hertl's $8.1 million annual average value. He's no playoff rental as he's in the second season of an eight-year contract.
Hertl is a talented two-way center with six seasons of 43 or more points over the last 10 seasons. He has 34 points in 48 games with the offensively anemic Sharks. The 6'3" 215-pounder waived his no-movement clause to go to Vegas. He is currently sidelined recovering from knee surgery but is expected to return before the playoffs.
The Sharks are in the middle of a full-scale roster rebuild with younger players. They're mired near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and won't be a playoff contender for some time. That will shorten the opportunity for a veteran such as Hertl to play for a Stanley Cup contender in his playing prime.
Hertl will provide a big boost to the Sharks forward depth. He can play first-line center but with Jack Eichel filling that role in Vegas, he'll likely center their second line. The big Czech is also a proven playoff performer with 42 points in 62 postseason contests.
This is another major acquisition by the Golden Knights after landing defenseman Noah Hanifin and winger Anthony Mantha earlier in the week. The Sharks, meanwhile, pick up two big pieces to put toward their rebuilding process while clearing substantial long-term cap space.
Grades
Golden Knights: A, Sharks: B+
Winnipeg Jets Bring In Tyler Toffoli From the New Jersey Devils
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Tyler Toffoli is heading to his fourth NHL team since 2021-22. TSN's Darren Dreger reports the New Jersey Devils traded the 31-year-old winger to the Winnipeg Jets. TSN indicates the return is a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 second-rounder. The Winnipeg Sun's Scott Billeck indicated the Devils retained half of Toffoli's $4.3 million cap hit.
A strong two-way forward, Toffoli netted over 40 points eight times in his 12 NHL seasons, including a career-high 73 points last season. His point total declined with the struggling Devils this season (44 in 61 games) but he led them with 26 goals before the trade. Toffoli also has lots of playoff experience, winning the 2014 Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings.
The Jets already made one big move on Feb. 2 by acquiring center Sean Monahan from the Montreal Canadiens. Toffoli's skills should make him a welcome addition to their top two forward lines. He can contribute at both ends of the ice, especially on the power play and the penalty kill. Toffoli will become an unrestricted free agent in July.
This move indicates that usually cautious Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is in "win-now" mode. With his club sitting third in the Western Conference, he believes they have what it takes to win the Stanley Cup this season. Adding Toffoli to a group of forwards that includes Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers could put them over the top.
Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald had been in contract extension talks with the Toffoli camp but couldn't get a deal done before the deadline. The return is disappointing considering Toffoli's value to their club since last season.
Grades
Devils: C, Jets: A
Carolina Hurricanes Net Jake Guentzel From the Pittsburgh Penguins
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In an overnight trade, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded winger Jake Guentzel and minor-league defenseman Ty Smith to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Penguins received winger Michael Bunting, prospect forwards Vasily Ponomarev, Ville Koivunen and Cruz Lucius, a conditional first-round pick and a conditional fifth-rounder in the 2024 draft.
The Penguins also retained $1.5 million of Guentzel's $6 million cap hit. He's slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
This is a major change in policy for the Hurricanes, as they've avoided acquiring big-ticket rental players in recent years. A lack of postseason scoring punch has been an issue for the Hurricanes. Adding a former 40-goal scorer and proven playoff performer like Guentzel should bolster their offense as they pursue the Stanley Cup this year.
The Penguins get an energetic two-way winger in Bunting, who is signed for two more seasons. Ponomarev, Koivunen, and Lucius were ranked sixth, seventh, and ninth among the Hurricanes' top prospects by The Athletic. If at least one of them can develop into a good NHL player this might work out for the Penguins over the long term.
Grades
Hurricanes: A, Penguins: B
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Montreal Canadiens Trade Jake Allen to the New Jersey Devils
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The Montreal Canadiens have carried three goaltenders this season, leaving Jake Allen as the odd man out. He gets shipped to the New Jersey Devils in return for a conditional 2024 third-round pick that could become a second-rounder based on the number of games played by Allen.
It's an affordable pickup for the Devils. They've needed help between the pipes with Vitek Vanecek, Akira Schmid and Nico Daws struggling this season. It also indicates that their efforts to acquire a big-name starter such as the Calgary Flames Jacob Markstrom will have to wait until the offseason.
Allen isn't a rental player as he's signed through 2024-25. The Canadiens are retaining half of his $3.4 million cap hit. He will try to provide stability in goal for his new club over the rest of the season. He'll return to a backup role next season if the Devils land Markstrom or another starter.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes was believed to be holding out for a second-round pick for Allen. Thanks to the conditions of the deal, he could get his wish. In the meantime, the goalie situation is now resolved and they clear a bit more cap space.
Grades
Devils: B-, Canadiens B
Washington Capitals Send Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes
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Hours after landing Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Carolina Hurricanes acquired Evgeny Kuznetsov from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a third-round pick in 2025. The Capitals also retain half of Kuznetsov's $7.8 million annual average value through 2024-25.
A four-time 70-plus point scorer, the 31-year-old Kuznetsov has struggled over the last two seasons. The Capitals attempted last summer to trade him to the Nashville Predators but the talks fell through. He recently resumed practicing with the Capitals following a stint with the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and was loaned to their AHL affiliate in Hershey.
Kuznetsov has plenty of playoff experience and won a Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018. However, the decline in his play makes his acquisition a gamble for the Hurricanes. If he regains his form, he'll be a terrific addition. If not, they'll have a fading asset on their books for another season at $3.9 million.
The Capitals didn't get much in return for someone who was a core player not long ago. They were willing to do it to turn the page and move on as they retool their roster and make room for younger players.
Grades:
Hurricanes: C+, Capitals: C-
Arizona Coyotes Ship Matt Dumba to the Tampa Bay Lightning
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After spending the season on a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the struggling Arizona Coyotes, Matt Dumba is heading to a playoff contender. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports the 29-year-old defenseman (and a 2025 seventh-round pick) is on his way to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2027 fifth-rounder.
A 50-point puck-moving blueliner in 2017-18 with the Minnesota Wild, Dumba is now more of a shutdown rearguard. He regularly logs over 20 minutes of ice time per game including a team-leading 2:54 of shorthanded ice time per game. Dumba has 49 games of postseason experience and his physical style will be well-suited for the playoffs.
The Lightning needs blueline help with Mikhail Sergachev sidelined by a broken leg. Dumba won't replace Sergachev's offense but his experience, defensive skills, and ability to handle a lot of ice time should provide some welcome relief to the Bolts' defense corps.
Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong has been loading up with draft picks for his rebuilding club. Dumba didn't fetch much of a return but that's the reality of a depleted trade market as the 3 pm ET deadline approaches.
Grades
Lightning: B, Coyotes: C-
Quick Grades on The Major Trades Before the Deadline
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Calgary Flames Ship Noah Hanifin To The Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights made a significant addition by acquiring defenseman Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames in a three-team deal involving the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flames retained half of Hanifin's $4.9 million cap hit with the Flyers and Golden Knights splitting half the remaining salary.
In return, the Flames received defenseman Daniil Miromanov and signed him to a two-year contract extension. They also received a conditional 2025 first-round pick and third-round pick from the Golden Knights while the Flyers received a 2024 fifth-rounder from the Golden Knights.
Hanifin, 27, was the best blueliner in this year's trade market. His puck-moving skills will boost the Golden Knights defense corps, especially with Alec Martinez sidelined with a lower-body injury. As for the Flames, they got a decent return for a player who intended to depart as a free agent but his skills will be difficult to replace.
Golden Knights: A, Flames: B-, Flyers: D
Edmonton Oilers Bag Adam Henrique & Sam Carrick In Three-Team Trade
The Anaheim Ducks traded forwards Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick to the Edmonton Oilers as part of a package deal. In return, they received a 2024 first-round pick and a conditional 2025 fifth-rounder that would upgrade to a fourth if the Oilers win the Stanley Cup.
This was part of a three-team deal involving the Tampa Bay Lightning, who received a conditional 2025 fourth-rounder from the Oilers. The Ducks retained 50 percent of Henrique's $5.825 million cap hit with the Lightning retaining $1.5 million and the Oilers taking on just $1.9 million. They also retained half of Carrick's $850,000 cap hit.
Henrique was the best center available in this year's trade market. He can also play left wing, giving the Oilers depth, versatility, and playoff experience on their third line. Carrick should also bolster their checking lines, especially on the penalty kill. They're both eligible for UFA status this summer.
The Ducks have two first-rounders in this year's draft. That brings their total in the first three rounds to seven with two second-rounders and three third-round picks.
Oilers: B+, Ducks: B, Lightning: D
Florida Panthers Pounce On Vladimir Tarasenko From the Ottawa Senators
Slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, Vladimir Tarasenko regularly featured in the top 10 of our NHL Trade Block Big Board. With the Ottawa Senators again outside the playoff picture, they shipped the 32-year-old winger to the Florida Panthers for a conditional fourth-rounder in the 2024 draft and a 2025 third-round pick.
Tarasenko is a six-time 30-plus goal scorer with 17 goals and 41 points in 57 games this season with the Senators. A Stanley Cup champion with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, his offensive skills and playoff experience should make him an invaluable addition to the league-leading Panthers.
The Senators retained half of Tarasenko's $5 million cap hit but didn't get much of a return for the pending free-agent winger. However, general manager Steve Staios' hands were tied as Tarasenko confirmed he would only waive his no-trade clause for the Panthers. That's not on Staios as it was his predecessor who signed the winger to that contract.
Panthers: A-, Senators: C
Buffalo Sabres Send Casey Mittelstadt To Colorado Avalanche For Bowen Byram
The Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche made a rare straightforward hockey trade with this one-for-one swap of forward Casey Mittelstadt and defenseman Bowen Byram. It's a deal involving two good young players that should benefit both teams.
Mittelstadt, 25, was the Sabres' leading scorer with 47 points in 62 games. He'll be expected to fill the second-line center role for Colorado. A restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer, he could earn a lucrative long-term contract with the Avalanche.
The 22-year-old Byram is a swift-skating all-around blueliner who helped the Avalanche win the 2022 Stanley Cup. He's been hampered by injuries but can log over 20 minutes per game and has yet to reach his playing prime. If Byram remains healthy he should be a solid top-four addition to the Sabres defense corps.
Avalanche: A, Sabres: B+
Colorado Avalanche Send Ryan Johansen To Philadelphia Flyers For Sean Walker
The Colorado Avalanche also bolstered their blue line by acquiring defenseman Sean Walker and a 2026 fifth-round pick from the Philadelphia Flyers. In return, they sent the Flyers center Ryan Johansen and a conditional first-round pick in 2025. If that pick is in the top 10 of that year's draft, the Flyers will receive the Avalanche's 2026 first-rounder.
Walker, 29, is a feisty puck-moving defenseman who saw second-pairing minutes this season with the Flyers. An unrestricted free agent this summer, he'll likely be a rental player as a short-term replacement for Bowen Byram, who was shipped to the Buffalo Sabres. They also cleared Johansen's $4 million cap hit from their books.
The Flyers did the Avs a favor by taking on Johansen's contract but the real prize was acquiring another first-round pick. Johansen is signed through next season but the Flyers intend to assign him to their AHL affiliate. A six-time 60-plus point forward, the 31-year-old Johansen's production has declined over the last two years.
Avalanche: B+, Flyers: B
New York Rangers Land Alex Wennberg From the Seattle Kraken
Alex Wennberg surfaced in the rumor mill around mid-February as the Seattle Kraken struggled to remain in the Western Conference playoff race. On Wednesday, they shipped him to the New York Rangers for a 2024 second-round pick and a conditional 2025 fifth-rounder previously acquired from the Dallas Stars.
The Kraken also retained 50 percent of Wennberg's $4.5 million cap hit. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
A two-way center, Wennberg will provide depth on the Rangers' checking lines that they were lacking with Filip Chytil sidelined for the season. The Kraken, meanwhile, now have two second-rounders in this year's draft to bolster their prospect pipeline or use as trade chips to add a player.
Rangers: B, Kraken: C+
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