Re-Grading the Biggest Deals 1 Month Since the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline
It's been a month since the 2024 NHL trade deadline occurred March 8. Twenty-three trades took place that day involving 33 players.
Among the notable deals of that day was the San Jose Sharks shipping center Tomáš Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights and the Winnipeg Jets acquiring winger Tyler Toffoli from the New Jersey Devils.
Several noteworthy players also changed teams during the week leading up to March 8. Among them were the Carolina Hurricanes bringing in winger Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Calgary Flames sending defenseman Noah Hanifin to the Golden Knights.
During the deadline, we reviewed and graded the biggest deals that took place that day and those leading up to March 8. We think sufficient time has elapsed to reevaluate and re-grade them.
If you agree or disagree with our regrades please let us know in the app comments below.
Colorado Avalanche Send Ryan Johansen to Philadelphia Flyers for Sean Walker
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The Trade: The Colorado Avalanche acquired defenseman Sean Walker and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for center Ryan Johansen and a conditional first-rounder in the 2025 draft.
Initial Reaction: "Walker, 29, is a feisty puck-moving defenseman who saw second-pairing minutes this season with the Flyers...The Flyers did the Avs a favor by taking on Johansen's contract but the real prize was acquiring another first-round pick."
Initial Grades: Avalanche: B+, Flyers: B
The Aftermath: In 13 games with the Avalanche, Walker has three goals and five points. He's logged 17:21 of time on ice per game, usually in a third-pairing role, and has seen time on the Avs penalty kill.
Johansen has been sidelined for the remainder of the season by a hip injury that he was nursing unbeknownst to the Avalanche before the trade. There's talk of a contract buyout in June if he's recovered by then. The conditional 2025 first-rounder is the only thing that salvages this deal for the Flyers.
Current Grades: Avalanche: B, Flyers: C
Arizona Coyotes Ship Matt Dumba to the Tampa Bay Lightning
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The Trade: Arizona Coyotes sent defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 draft.
Initial Reaction: "The Lightning needs blue line 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."
Initial Grades: Lightning: B, Coyotes: C-
The Aftermath: Dumba has been skating on the Lightning's second and third defense pairing, averaging 18:54 in ice time per game and 1:55 on their penalty kill. As expected, he's providing experienced shutdown depth to their blue line.
Current Grades: Unchanged
Note: One deal that wasn't considered a big move on deadline day was the Lightning's acquisition of winger Anthony Duclair from the San Jose Sharks. That one has turned into a steal thus far for the Bolts. Skating on the first line with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, the 28-year-old Duclair has six goals and 11 points in 13 games with the Lightning.
Montreal Canadiens Trade Jake Allen to the New Jersey Devils
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The Trade: New Jersey Devils acquire goaltender Jake Allen from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in the 2025 draft.
Initial Reaction: "It's an affordable pickup for the Devils. They've needed help between the pipes with Vitek Vanecek, Akira Schmid, and Nicos 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."
Initial Grades: Devils: B-, Canadiens: B
The Aftermath: Allen won five of his first nine games with the Devils, sporting a 2.91 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. That's better than Vanecek (3.18 GAA, .890 SP), Schmid (3.15 GAA, .895 SP) and Daws (3.15 GAA, .894 SP). Signed through next season, Allen will back up whoever the Devils acquire as a starter for next season.
Current Grades: Devils: B, Canadiens: B-
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New York Rangers Land Alex Wennberg from the Seattle Kraken
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The Trade: The New York Rangers landed Alex Wennberg from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2024 draft and a conditional fourth-rounder in 2025.
Initial Reaction: "A two-way center, Wennberg will provide depth on the Rangers' checking lines that they lacked 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."
Initial Grades: Rangers: B, Kraken: C
The Aftermath: As expected, Wennberg is centering the Rangers' third line, netting a goal and five points in 13 games. He's averaged 15:04 of ice time per game and has been solid defensively. His experience provides a welcome measure of depth at center for the Blueshirts.
Current Grades: Rangers: B+, Kraken: C
Washington Capitals Send Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes
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The Trade: Carolina Hurricanes acquire center Evgeny Kuznetsov from the Washington Capitals for a third-round pick in the 2025 draft.
Initial Reaction: "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."
Initial Grades: Hurricanes: C+, Capitals: C-
The Aftermath: Kuznetsov is still adjusting to his new team and rounding back into game shape after spending a month in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program before his trade. He has seven points in 15 games centering the Hurricanes' second line, averaging 15:15 of time on ice per game.
Current Grades: Hurricanes: B-, Capitals: C-
Edmonton Oilers Bag Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick in 3-Team Trade
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The Trade: Edmonton Oilers acquire forwards Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick from the Anaheim Ducks in a three-team trade involving the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Ducks retained 50 percent of Henrique's $5.83 million cap hit with the Lightning retaining $1.5 million and the Oilers $1.9 million.
The Oilers also received unsigned draft pick goalie Ty Taylor and a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft. The Ducks get a 2024 first-rounder and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2025 from the Oilers. The Lightning received a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft from the Oilers.
Initial Reaction: "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."
Initial Grades: Oilers: B+, Ducks: B, Lightning: D
The Aftermath: Henrique's versatility has enabled the Oilers to employ him on their second and third lines where necessary. He has four goals and five points in 16 games and has seen time on their special teams. Carrick, meanwhile, has settled in on the Oilers' checking lines with four points in 11 games.
Current Grades: Unchanged
Florida Panthers Pounce on Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators
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The Trade: The Florida Panthers landed winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2024 draft and a third-rounder in 2025.
Initial Reaction: "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."
Initial Grades: Panthers: A-, Senators: C
The Aftermath: The Panthers have struggled down the stretch but Tarasenko has fit in well with five goals and 12 points in 15 games. His addition proved fortuitous as he's replaced sidelined winger Carter Verhaeghe on the Panthers' first line.
Current Grades: Unchanged
Buffalo Sabres Send Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado Avalanche for Bowen Byram
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The Trade: As the title indicates, it was center Casey Mittelstadt straight up for defenseman Bowen Byram.
Initial Reaction: "The Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche made a rare straightforward hockey trade with this one-for-one swap...It's a deal involving two good young players that should benefit both teams."
Initial Grades: Avalanche: A, Sabres: B+
The Aftermath: This trade has worked well for both clubs so far. Mittelstadt has four goals and eight points in 13 games centering the Avalanche's second line. Byram averaged 22:05 in ice time per game on the Sabres' second defense pairing, including power-play and short-handed time with six points in 14 games.
Current Grades: Avalanche:A-, Sabres: A-
Calgary Flames Ship Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights
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The Trade: The Vegas Golden Knights acquired defenseman Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames in a three-team trade involving the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flames retained half of Hanifin's $4.9 million cap hit with the Golden Knights and Flyers splitting the remainder.
The Flames receive a first-round pick in the 2025 Draft, defenseman Daniil Miromanov, and a conditional 2025 third-rounder. The Flyers received a 2024 fifth-round pick from the Golden Knights.
Initial Reaction: "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."
Initial Grades: Golden Knights: A, Flames: B-, Flyers: D
The Aftermath: The Golden Knights have Hanifin on their first defense pairing alongside Nicolas Hague. He's second in time on ice per game (22:56) and shorthanded ice time (2:35). Hanifin also has six points in 14 games, playing a big role in the Golden Knights' winning nine of those games.
Current Grades: Unchanged
Winnipeg Jets Bring in Tyler Toffoli from the New Jersey Devils
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The Trade: The Winnipeg Jets acquired winger Tyler Toffoli from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2024 Draft and a 2025 second-rounder.
Initial Reaction: "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."
Initial Grades: Devils: C, Jets: A
The Aftermath: The Jets slipped to fourth in the Western Conference and eighth overall since this trade. That cannot be blamed on Toffoli, who has five goals and seven points in 13 games playing third-line minutes with the Jets. His experience could still prove useful to them in the upcoming playoffs.
We originally noted that the Devils got a disappointing return for Toffoli considering his value to their roster since last season. That assessment remains unchanged.
Current Grades: Devils: C, Jets: B+
Carolina Hurricanes Net Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins
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The Trade: Carolina Hurricanes acquire Jake Guentzel and minor-league defenseman Ty Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins. In return, the Penguins received winger Michael Bunting, prospects Vasily Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen, the rights to forward Cruz Lucius, a conditional 2024 first-round pick, and a conditional 2024 fifth-rounder
Initial Reaction: "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."
Initial Grades: Hurricanes: A, Penguins: B
The Aftermath: So far, so good for the Hurricanes. Guentzel returned from an upper-body injury following the trade and quickly fit in well with his new club. Skating on the Hurricanes' first line alongside center Sebastian Aho, the 29-year-old winger has 20 points in 13 games.
Time will tell whether the draft picks and prospects received by the Penguins blossom into NHL players. Bunting, however, has provided an immediate boost to their roster. He has 13 points in 16 games playing left wing on their second line with Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell. The 28-year-old has two more years left on his contract.
Current Grades: Hurricanes: A, Penguins: A-
Vegas Golden Knights Land Tomáš Hertl from the San Jose Sharks
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The Trade: Vegas Golden Knights acquired center Tomáš Hertl, a third-round pick in the 2025 draft, and a 2027 third-rounder from the San Jose Sharks for forward David Edstrom and a 2025 first-round pick.
Initial Reaction: "Hertl will provide a big boost to the Golden Knights' 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.
Initial Grades: Golden Knights: A, Sharks B+
The Aftermath: Signed through 2029-30, Hertl is no playoff rental. He was recovering from knee surgery during the trade but anticipated his return to action before the playoffs. The 30-year-old center has been practicing with his new team since April 2.
The Sharks received a promising forward in Edstrom, who spent this season with Swedish club Frölunda HC. They now have two first-rounders in the 2025 draft.
Current Grades: Unchanged
Stats (as of Apr. 7, 2024) via NHL.com. Salary info and line combinations via CapFriendly.
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