2026 NHL Trade Deadline Live Grades for the Biggest Deals
The NHL's annual trade deadline is 3 pm ET today.
Between March 1 and 5, there were 14 trades, most of them occurring over the last two days. The most significant was the Utah Mammoth acquiring MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames. The 32-year-old defenseman was part of our NHL Trade Block Big Board one week before the deadline.
Other players on that board included defensemen Connor Murphy and Tyler Myers. On March 2, Murphy was shipped to the Edmonton Oilers by the Chicago Blackhawks. Two days later, Myers was traded to the Dallas Stars by the Vancouver Canucks.
Several notable players from that list, and our final Top-15 Trade Board, could be on the move before the deadline arrives. One of them, Conor Garland, was traded by the Vancouver Canucks to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Here are our grades for the biggest deal of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. We've also included a recap and grades of the major trades over the last two days.
Colorado Avalanche Reacquire Nazem Kadri From the Calgary Flames
1 of 11
The league-leading Avalanche are among this season's Stanley Cup contenders. Bringing back a player who played a big role in their 2022 championship run could turn them into favorites to win hockey's holy grail.
A skillful, agitating two-way center, Kadri spent three seasons with the Avalanche from 2019-20 to 2021-22 before signing a seven-year deal with the Flames worth an average annual value of $7 million through 2028-29. The Flames retained 20 percent of his salary to facilitate this deal.
Kadri sat at No. 4 on our final NHL Trade Block Big Board before the deadline. The 35-year-old center had been a fixture in the rumor mill over the past two seasons as the Flames continued to rebuild their roster. He could end up centering the Avalanche's third line, making their forward talent even deeper.
The Flames received a depth forward in Victor Olofsson, who is UFA-eligible this summer. They also picked up prospect center Maxmilian Curran, a conditional first-round pick in 2028, and a conditional second-rounder in 2027, all of which could be crucial to building up their roster in the coming years.
Avalanche: A+, Flames: B+
Detroit Red Wings Bring In Justin Faulk From the St. Louis Blues
2 of 11
Justin Faulk sat at No. 2 on our final NHL Trade Block Big Board before the deadline. He ends up moving from the Blues to the Red Wings in one of the biggest moves on a fairly quiet deadline day.
The Red Wings had been linked to Faulk in the rumor mill for several weeks. They needed an experienced puck-moving blueliner to skate on the right side of their second-defense pairing. He will skate alongside shutdown rearguard Ben Chiarot.
This move should bolster the Red Wings' efforts to end their nine-year playoff drought. Faulk also has another year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million, so the Wings don't have to worry about trying to re-sign him after this season.
The rebuilding Blues picked up a solid return for Faulk. They land a first and a third-round pick in 2026, forward prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov, and pending UFA defenseman Justin Holl, who will provide some depth on the St. Louis blue line until the end of this season.
Red Wings: A, Blues: B+
New York Islanders Land Brayden Schenn From the St. Louis Blues
3 of 11
The St. Louis Blues' attempt to trade Colton Parayko to the Buffalo Sabres was nixed when the defenseman declined to waive his no-trade clause. NHL pundits were reluctant to make this official until they got word that Schenn had agreed to this deal.
Since 2013-14, Schenn exceeded the 40-point plateau 11 times. Over the past nine seasons with the Blues, he has been a reliable two-way center who helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2019 and has served as their captain since 2023-24.
Schenn is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $6.5 million. The 34-year-old center's production declined this season, with 28 points in 61 games. Nevertheless, Schenn brings postseason experience and skilled leadership to the Islanders as they jockey for an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
The Blues are rebuilding with the focus on adding younger talent. They got a good return from this deal. TSN reports they received a 2026 first-round pick, a third-rounder (draft year TBA), prospect goaltender Marcus Gidlof, and veteran winger Jonathan Drouin, who is signed through next season.
Islanders: A-, Blues: B+
.png?w=256 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=256 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
Seattle Kraken Snag Bobby McMann From the Toronto Maple Leafs
4 of 11
Battling for a Western Conference wild-card berth, the Kraken add some size and energy to their middle-six forward lines. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs make their second trade in as many days as sellers in the trade market, picking up two draft picks in return.
McMann has 19 goals and 32 points in 60 games, putting him on pace to exceed 20 goals and 40 points for the first time. The 6'2", 217-pound isn't a scoring star that the Kraken need, but he will help offensively, and his hardworking style will be useful in their quest to reach the postseason.
Eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, McMann carries an affordable $1.4 million cap hit this season. The 29-year-old winger could seek a long-term deal with a raise of around $5 million annually. His performance over the rest of this season will determine if he has a future in Seattle.
The Maple Leafs were reportedly seeking a first-round pick for McMann. That was wishful thinking, but a second-rounder in 2027 and a fourth-round pick in 2026 isn't a bad return for a player of his caliber.
Kraken: B+, Maple Leafs: B
Los Angeles Kings Land Scott Laughton From the Toronto Maple Leafs
5 of 11
At the 2025 NHL trade deadline, the Maple Leafs acquired Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers. A year later, they shipped the 31-year-old checking-line center to the Los Angeles Kings for a conditional third-round pick in 2026. The pick becomes a second-rounder if the Kings make the playoffs.
Laughton was at No.11 on our final NHL Trade Block Big Board. He is in the final season of his five-year contract with a cap hit of $3 million and is slated to become a UFA in July. He could end up with a new deal from the Kings if he can help this struggling club nail down a Western Conference wild-card berth.
Last year at this time, the Maple Leafs were buyers as one of the dominant teams in the Eastern Conference. By this year's deadline, they were eight points out of a wild-card berth and selling off their UFA-eligible players.
Getting a conditional pick that could become a second-rounder for Laughton wouldn't be too bad under normal circumstances. However, the Leafs gave up a conditional first-rounder in 2027 and forward Nikita Grebenkin to get him from the Flyers.
Kings: B, Maple Leafs: D
Los Angeles Kings Trade Corey Perry to the Tampa Bay Lightning
6 of 11
Veteran winger Corey Perry could be getting another opportunity to play in another Stanley Cup Final. The 40-year-old winger is returning to the Lightning, where he spent two seasons from 2021-22 to 2022-23.
Perry won a Stanley Cup early in his career with the Anaheim Ducks, but he's become known for his recent appearances in the Cup Final without winning. That includes playing for the Dallas Stars in 2020, the Montreal Canadiens in 2021, the Lightning in 2022, and the Oilers in 2024 and 2025.
While Perry's best years as an elite goal scorer are well behind him, his experience, leadership, and gritty style made him invaluable to those teams, and it's why he's going back to the Lightning. He always seems to rise to the occasion in the postseason whenever a clutch goal or a big play is required.
The Kings are in sell mode now after shipping out Warren Foegele to the Ottawa Senators on March 5. They'll get a second-round draft pick from the Lightning in return. As of publication, the year for that pick had yet to be determined.
Lightning: B+, Kings: C
Philadelphia Flyers Trade Bobby Brink To Minnesota Wild for David Jiříček
7 of 11
Trade deadline deals usually involve players who are eligible for unrestricted free agency in July being traded for draft picks and prospects. This move, however, is a rare player-for-player swap.
The Wild were seeking a scoring forward, preferably a center. In this case, they've opted for a young middle-six winger in Bobby Brink, who had a career-best 41 points in 2024-25. The 24-year-old is due to become a restricted free agent, and a solid performance with the Wild could make him part of their long-term plans.
Jiříček was acquired by the Wild last season after he struggled to establish himself with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 22-year-old defenseman spent this season split between the Wild and their AHL affiliate. He might get a better opportunity with the rebuilding Flyers, where he should get more playing time.
Brink has already shown promise as an NHL scoring forward. Jiříček still has time and potential, but he's now on his third NHL team. Time will tell if this pans out long-term for the Flyers, but the Wild are the early winners with this deal, and they might not be done making deals before the deadline.
Wild: A-, Flyers: B
Anaheim Ducks Acquire John Carlson From the Washington Capitals
8 of 11
In the biggest early surprise of trade deadline day, long-time Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson is now a member of the Anaheim Ducks.
The Capitals sent the 36-year-old Carlsson to the Ducks in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in 2027. He is in the final season of his eight-year contract with a salary-cap hit of $8 million and is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July.
This is a significant move for both clubs. The Ducks are buyers in the trade market as they attempt to lock down their first playoff berth in eight years. For the Capitals, who are struggling to remain in the Eastern Conference playoff race, it signals that they've accepted the reality of their situation.
A puck-moving right-shot defenseman who still logs over 20 minutes per game, Carlson could slot in on the Ducks' first or second defense pairings. He will provide another measure of experienced depth, skill, and leadership to the young Ducks roster in their quest for a postseason berth.
With the Capitals transitioning their roster toward younger talent, Carlson no longer fits into their long-term plans. Picking up an additional first-round pick will help them bolster their prospect depth. Nevertheless, his departure after 17 seasons as the linchpin of their defense corps marks the end of an era.
Ducks: A, Capitals: B
Columbus Blue Jackets Bring In Conor Garland From the Vancouver Canucks
9 of 11
Surging up the Eastern Conference standings since January, the Columbus Blue Jackets hope to bolster their playoff hopes by acquiring Conor Garland from the Vancouver Canucks. In return, the latter received a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in 2028.
Garland, 29, was part of our Top-15 NHL Trade Board heading into the deadline. An energetic, physical middle-six forward, he can play either wing and has a decent scoring touch, reaching 50 points last season. He will likely see playing time on their second line.
This was largely a cost-cutting move by the rebuilding Canucks. Garland is in the final season of his current contract, carrying an average annual value of $4.9 million. He has a contract extension beginning July 1 with an AAV of $6 million and a full no-movement clause.
The Canucks didn't get much back for Garland in this deal. However, clearing his upcoming contract from their books provides flexibility to add to their roster starting next season.
Blue Jackets: A-, Canucks: C+
Buffalo Sabres Net Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn From The Winnipeg Jets
10 of 11
Earlier this week, the Buffalo Sabres attempted to acquire defenseman Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues, but the deal fell through when he refused to waive his no-trade clause. Instead, they shifted their focus to the Winnipeg Jets to bolster their blue line.
Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn aren't at the same level of talent as Parayko. Nevertheless, they will provide size, toughness, and experience to the Sabres' defense corps as they attempt to nail down their first playoff berth in 14 years.
Stanley, 27, is the main prize for the Sabres. The 6'7", 231-pound defenseman will provide the Sabres with some much-needed physicality on their blue line. He'll likely skate on their third defense pairing. Stanley is in the final season of his contract and is UFA-eligible this summer.
Like Stanley, Schenn is also due to become a UFA this summer. At 36, he's nearing the end of his 18-year NHL career. Still, the 6'2", 225-pounder is a shot-blocking shutdown blueliner with considerable playoff experience, including two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Poised to miss the playoffs after winning the Presidents' Trophy last season, the Winnipeg Jets must retool with younger talent. They've added a promising forward in 22-year-old Isak Rosén. Defenseman Jacob Bryson, 28, will help fill part of the gap left by the departures of Stanley and Schenn.
The Jets also added a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional fourth-rounder in 2026.
Sabres: A-, Jets: B
Quick Grades on the Notable Trades Before Deadline Day
11 of 11
Calgary Flames Send MacKenzie Weegar To the Utah Mammoth
The Mammoth's efforts to secure a playoff berth in the Western Conference received a boost with the addition of MacKenzie Weegar to their defense core. The 32-year-old puck-moving defenseman can log over 20 minutes per game and should provide veteran experience on the right side of their blue line.
In return, the Flames received veteran defenseman Olli Määttä, prospect center Jonathan Castagna, and three second-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. They also cleared Weegar's remaining contract from their books. He's earning an average annual value of $6.3 million through 2030-31.
It's not a bad return for Weegar. Määttä is a veteran defenseman with two years left on his contract and an affordable annual cap hit of $3.5 million. One of those second-rounders originally belonged to the New York Rangers, meaning it'll be near the top of that round, given the Rangers' current place in the standings.
Mammoth: B+, Flames: B+
Edmonton Oilers Acquire Jason Dickinson From the Chicago Blackhawks For Andrew Mangiapane
The Oilers addressed their need for a reliable third-line center while removing a burdensome contract. They also acquired young winger Colton Dach in the deal, who is still trying to establish himself as an NHL forward. He saw mostly checking-line duty in Chicago.
Dickinson is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July. He is an underrated two-way center who is a strong penalty killer with a decent scoring touch. Chicago also agreed to retain half of his $4.3 million cap hit. Meanwhile, the Oilers cleared the remainder of Andrew Mangiapane's contract from their books.
Mangiapane has another year left on his contract and has declined as a scoring winger. However, the real prize for Chicago was getting the Oilers' first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. It is Top-12 protected, but if the Oilers remain a playoff team next season, that pick will belong to Chicago.
Oilers: B+, Blackhawks: B
Colorado Avalanche Net Nicolas Roy From the Toronto Maple Leafs
It was no secret that the Avalanche were in the market for depth at the center position. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have officially made it known that they are sellers in the trade market for the first time in 10 years.
Roy, 29, is a big, versatile forward who can play center or wing. He's spent most of his nine NHL seasons as a checking-line forward. The 6'4", 200-pounder has playoff experience and was part of the Vegas Golden Knights' Stanley Cup run in 2023. He's also signed through next season at an affordable cap hit of $3 million.
The Maple Leafs needed to regain a first-round pick after trading away their 2027 first-rounder. They get a conditional first in the 2027 or 2028 NHL Draft, as well as a conditional fifth-rounder in 2026. That's a good return for a bottom-six forward.
Avalanche: B, Maple Leafs: B+
Dallas Stars Bring In Michael Bunting From the Nashville Predators
The Stars bolstered their blue line earlier this week by acquiring defenseman Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks. They've now added depth among their middle-six forwards by acquiring Michael Bunting from the Nashville Predators.
Bunting, 30, is a hardworking two-way winger with decent scoring ability who had two 20-plus goal seasons earlier in his career. His energetic, physical style is well-suited for playoff competition. He should be a good fit with the Stars as they try to get past the Western Conference Final.
The Predators have been selling off their UFA-eligible players despite being in the Western Conference playoff race. They already shipped out forwards Michael McCarron and Cole Smith and defenseman Nick Blankenburg. They had to settle for a return of a 2026 third-round pick that originally belonged to the Seattle Kraken.
Stars: A-, Predators: C
Ottawa Senators Land Warren Foegele From the Los Angeles Kings
It was rumored that the struggling Senators sought a top-four, right-shot defenseman and a scoring winger in the trade market. They hope to have addressed the latter by adding Warren Foegele and a conditional third-round pick in 2026 from the Kings for a second-rounder and a conditional third-round pick in 2026.
The 29-year-old Foegele struggled offensively with the Kings this season, netting just 14 points in 47 games. He had back-to-back 20-plus goal seasons with the Edmonton Oilers before going to Los Angeles last summer and could regain that form in Ottawa. He's signed through next season with an AAV of $3.5 million.
It seemed the Kings were buyers after acquiring superstar Artemi Panarin last month. However, their post-Olympic struggles appear to have turned them into sellers as they struggle to remain in the Western Conference playoff race.
Senators: B, Kings: B-
Ottawa Senators Trade David Perron To the Ottawa Senators
It was rumored that the Detroit Red Wings were in the market for a second-line center. With this move, however, they've reacquired aging winger David Perron, who is still recovering from sports hernia surgery. The 37-year-old winger spent two seasons with the Red Wings before signing with the Senators in 2024.
Perron became expendable for the Senators following their acquisition of winger Warren Foegele earlier in the day. When healthy, he can still put up decent numbers as a middle-six forward. He's in the final season of a two-year deal and will fill a depth role on the Red Wings, who still must find a center.
The deal was an affordable one for the Red Wings, giving up a conditional fourth-round pick in this year's draft. It wasn't much of a return for the Senators. However, it was worth it to clear Perron's $4 million salary-cap hit, potentially freeing up cap dollars for another acquisition before the trade deadline.
Red Wings: B, Senators: C
.png?w=480 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=480 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=480)
.png?w=600 "B/R NHL Staff Second-Round Predictions 🏒")
