5 Worst Losers from the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline

Washington Capitals

Much like the St. Louis Blues, it was a relatively uneventful transaction period for the Washington Capitals. The Capitals had multiple players they could have shipped out, but evidently, their prices weren't met. The Capitals are stuck in no man's land with their aging core, which is not an area you want to be in. Sure, not all assets are created equal, but it would have been prudent for them to acquire futures here. Again, we aren't privy to the offers they were receiving, but it's clear they weren't enough to make them pull the trigger on their assets. 

Washington Capitals Stanley Cup Odds: +35000

New Jersey Devils

Jake Allen is a solid NHL goaltender. He gives the New Jersey Devils a reliable option in net, which they've been looking for this entire season. After a statement like that, why would someone consider the Devils as a loser this trade deadline? It's the timing. The Devils fired head coach Lindy Ruff before the deadline. If the Devils wanted to dig themselves out of their hole, they likely should have acquired a goaltender much sooner, especially before firing Ruff. The price on Allen wasn't crazy, and it's hard to imagine they couldn't have paid this a month ago. 

New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup Odds: +4700

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs had the right idea ahead of the NHL trade deadline. They just didn't execute it properly. Toronto acquired two big defensemen, Joel Edmundson and Ilya Lyubushkin, and it won't be a surprise to see these two men in the lineup for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Still, mobility is an issue for them, even if their priority is to bring physicality and size. The Maple Leafs didn't have the luxury of having high draft picks and weren't comfortable moving top prospects. As a result, it was an underwhelming day for the Blue and White. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Odds: +1600

St. Louis Blues

Although the St. Louis Blues are still technically in the mix for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, it was an underwhelming deadline day for general manager Doug Armstrong. An expression that applies here is "pick a lane," which the Blues didn't. The Blues had valuable commodities on their roster that could have been dealt for future assets. They chose to keep them, as other teams didn't meet their asking prices. The Blues could have taken another step toward adding more youth to their squad. 

St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup Odds: +25000

Washington Capitals

Much like the St. Louis Blues, it was a relatively uneventful transaction period for the Washington Capitals. The Capitals had multiple players they could have shipped out, but evidently, their prices weren't met. The Capitals are stuck in no man's land with their aging core, which is not an area you want to be in. Sure, not all assets are created equal, but it would have been prudent for them to acquire futures here. Again, we aren't privy to the offers they were receiving, but it's clear they weren't enough to make them pull the trigger on their assets. 

Washington Capitals Stanley Cup Odds: +35000