The 2023 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone, with most of the action spread among the days leading up to last Friday. Playoff contenders were as active as ever, with an eyebrow-raising 13 first-round picks dealt in the weeks leading up to the deadline. With so much activity, though, it’s difficult to immediately say which team (and which general manager) came out on top.
First off, the world-beating Boston Bruins made a pair of significant deals with conference rivals. Their biggest acquisition came in the form of Dmitry Orlov from the Washington Capitals, who had been quietly one of the best defensive defenders in the league over the past few years. His two-way play has made an immediate impact, recording three goals and nine points in just five games with the Bruins since the trade, already doubling his goal total on the season. The team also acquired a pair of aggressive forwards, Tyler Bertuzzi and Garnet Hathaway, who seem to fit seamlessly into the tapestry of a quintessential Bruins lineup.
However, their Atlantic Division rivals were some of the most active teams on the market too. No team made more additions to their roster than the Toronto Maple Leafs, who added a significant complement of defensive-minded skaters in Ryan O’Reilly, Noel Acciari, Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, and Luke Schenn while also adding some power-play depth in the form of defenseman Erik Gustafsson. Like Boston, they were able to avoid parting with a top prospect in the process, although young NHLer Rasmus Sandin, already off to a strong start with his new team, the Washington Capitals, was a casualty of the roster crunch.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, looking to make a fourth straight Stanley Cup Final, made one of the most controversial moves of the deadline by parting with five draft picks in exchange for depth winger Tanner Jeannot. They also made some salary cap flexibility by swapping Vladislav Namestnikov for Michael Eyssimont, who’s provided some quiet upside in his first extended NHL opportunities with the Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks.
The best forward on the market on the market was undoubtedly Timo Meier, who the New Jersey Devils landed to complete a formidable top-six forward group alongside Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Dawson Mercer, and Tomas Tatar. The 26-year-old is amidst his second consecutive 30-goal season and is a powerful two-way force. They also acquired Curtis Lazar in a minor deal with the Vancouver Canucks to improve their fourth line.
No team made more star-studded acquisitions than the New York Rangers, not unexpected from one of the most aggressive front offices in the league. A pair of veteran stars headed their way in the form of Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, who the Rangers hope will enjoy some revitalization alongside a more robust core on Broadway. It looks like that’s happened so far for Tarasenko, who’s scored four goals and nine points in 12 games as a Ranger. Kane is still looking for his first point and has a -4 rating in two contests since the trade.
It was one team out of the playoff picture, though, that may have made the most effective roster improvement. The Ottawa Senators acquired defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes for a trio of draft picks, filling a gigantic hole in their defensive makeup. Now 7-2-1 in their past 10 games, the acquisition of Chychrun (under contract through 2025) gives the Senators a fighting chance at making the playoffs for the first time since advancing to the Eastern Conference Final in 2017.
It’s up to you, PHR readers, to decide who they think had the best overall haul at this year’s deadline. Cast your vote and let us know who you think came out on top.
It’s BOSTON that is the winner. All their acquisitions have gelled with the team and are producing already!!
It’s a close call between Florida and Seattle.
Boston in that they acquired the players needed to complete their roster to win a Cup, but the Devils for landing the best player. In fact, Meier could push NJ into the finals.
Tie between St Loo and Gnashville… zigging when everyone else says zag took some artistry; could be the start of something big
We need to discuss the Preds firesale. Why do you sign Josi and Forsberg to long term extensions, not to mention Duchene and now McDonough’s deals, while all those players only have, at best, a few years left of their prime playing days if you’re then going to turn around and blow it all up? The time to do that was after the 2019 season. These are the players you need to move if you’re rebuilding, because by the time you’re ready to be competitive again, their careers are on the decline.
Poile had one move to make in the off-season and that was prying Meier out of San Jose. Instead he blew almost 7M on McDonough. Poile never had the touch to add the final pieces to the puzzle of his teams. That’s how you go 42 years with just one Cup appearence.
Boston just because Orlov has added so much value just by himself. If Hathaway and Bertuzzi chip in it’s a runaway.
It’s NSH for me. They stocked the cupboard so hard for minimal assets. One middling trade, one sure win and one absolute domination. They are the team that got the most of what they needed this deadline. In terms of moving the needle in terms of potential, I think the Devils and the Rangers added the most star power and didn’t give up too much to get it. BOS paid a kings ransom which will look ugly if they don’t win the cup. Of course, winners are grinners if they make it.
Voted for OYT – they got a player who is going to be a difference maker in Chychrun whom unlike many of the others moved, is already signed for two more seasons at a reasonable cap hit.
It’s early yet, but if Ghost keeps doing for the Canes PP what he’s done so far, that may be the best move yet. If the Canes PP becomes potent, they may be unbeatable.
I’m pretending to get on the Wild bandwagon. If they make a playoff run, beers will be cheap at the Eagles.
Lol! That’s about the only place they are cheap.
Nothing is cheap at the X.
What eagles chapter you watching at?
Bertuzzi will have the most impact