NHL Trade Deadline: Taking a Look at Some of the More Shocking Deadline Deals

The NHL trade deadline is a very interesting time. Moves are made by teams to bulk up for the playoffs and some teams like to start the rebuilding process. This slideshow will take a look at some of the more shocking and interesting trades to occur.

This slideshow will be updated throughout the course of the day. If there is a trade you feel was shocking, post a comment and why you feel this way.

Without further adieu, lets take a look at a few of the more shocking trades so far.

Marian Hossa to the Penguins

To Pittsburgh: Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis

To Atlanta: Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and Pittsburgh's first-round choice in 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

This was a very interesting trade due to the amount of parts involved. Pittsburgh received superstar winger Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupiuis and shipped out a package of mainly roster players and works in progress.

The deal was great for Pittsburgh as it brought them to the Stanley Cup Finals where Hossa was a key performer.

Rangers Trade Mike Gartner

To Toronto Maple Leafs: Mike Gartner

To New York Rangers: Glenn Anderson, the rights to Scott Malone and Toronto's fourth-round pick in 1994 NHL Entry Draft 

This trade was shocking because it saw the Rangers deal their top goal scorer for the gritty battle tested Glenn Anderson.

The fans in New York were scratching their heads when this deal was made because of how talented Gartner was. However, Anderson did go on to be a key piece for the Stanley Cup Champion Rangers

Devils Shape 2003 Cup Core During Trade with Dallas

To New Jersey Jamie Langenbrunner and Joe Nieuwendyk

To Dallas: Jason Arnott, Randy McKay and New Jersey's first-round pick in 2002 NHL Entry Draft

This trade saw the Stars acquire Jason Arnott, Randy McKay and a draft choice that would be traded in a later deal. These players didn't have the impact that Langenbrunner and Nieuwendyk would have for New Jersey.

Both Langenbrunner and Nieuwendyk were key role players for the Devils during their Stanley Cup winning season. They didn't only put up the points but brought valuable experience with them.

Chris Chelios Traded to Detroit Red Wings

To Detroit Red Wings: Chris Chelios 

To Chicago Blackhawks: Anders Eriksson and Detroit's first-round picks in 1999 and 2001 NHL Entry Drafts

This was a very shocking trade in the sense that no one ever thought that a true Blackhawk like Chelios would switch sides and would wear the Red Wings' sweater. Trades like this just didn't happen, but the Hall of Fame defenseman was a key part for the Detroit Blue line for a few years to come.

Brad Richards Dealt in Lopsided Blockbuster

To Dallas Stars: Brad Richards and Johan Holmqvist

To Tampa Bay: Jussi Jokinen, Jeff Halpern, and Mike Smith and 2009 fourth-round draft pick

This trade likely would have never occurred had the Lightning maintained stable ownership. Brad Richards who was the driving force for the franchise's only Stanley Cup victory was dealt because of financial costs.

The young centerman continued to dominate in Dallas and is now a member of the New York Rangers.

Butch Goring Acquired as Key Piece for Islanders' Dynasty

To Los Angeles Kings: Billy Harris and Dave Lewis

To New York Islanders: Butch Goring

This trade is viewed as one of the most important trades made. Goring was an essential part of the Islanders during their dynasty days of the 1980s. Goring just seemed to be that missing cog the team was looking for and he was so effective that he won a Conn Smyth Trophy during the Islanders' four years of dominance.

The players deal to Los Angeles had no major impact as they were role players who would shift in and out of the lineup after this trade.

Pittsburgh Trades Future Star Markus Naslund

To Vancouver Canucks: Markus Naslund

To Pittsburgh Penguins: Alex Stojanov

Markus Naslund went on to be a star in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks. He was a talented forward who scored goals and was a key leader.

Stojanov only played in 56 NHL games after this trade due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. 

This trade was shocking and as history has pointed out, a very lopsided trade.

Ron Francis Dealt in Blockbuster to Pittsburgh Penguins

To Pittsburgh: Ron Francis, Grant Jennings and Ulf Samuelsson

To Hartford: John Cullen, Jeff Parker and Zarley Zalapski 

Ron Francis was one of the greatest centres in NHL history. He averaged over a point per game, he won multiple trophies and three Stanley Cups, two of which resulted from this trade.

Ron Francis was a key part of this deal as the Penguins won back-to-back cups with the help of players like Francis, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.

Ulf Samuelsson also was a key part of the trade as he added that important physical edge. Interestingly enough, Francis was later traded back to his former franchise but they had become the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ilya Kovalchuk Becomes a Devil in Blockbuster Deal

To New Jersey Devils: Ilya Kovalchuk

To Atlanta Thrashers:  Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, Patrice Cormier and a first-round pick in 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

The Devils made this bold move to address their lack of scoring when they acquired sniper Ilya Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk was later signed to a humongous extension which will keep him a Devil over the next decade and a half. 

Atlanta, now Winnipeg, really got a crummy return as Bergfors is no longer in the NHL, Johnny Oduya is an average defenseman and the draft pick was traded to Chicago. Patrice Cormier also hasn't panned out as planned.

Overall the Devils really won this blockbuster.

Tom Urtz, Jr. is an NHL featured columnist. For NHL news, updates and alerts about players: