NHL Blockbusters: Ranking the Top 5 Biggest Deadline Trades

Noah Hanifin, Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights

Hockey fans around the league continue to shed tears at how the Vegas Golden Knights have properly utilized their LTIR space. The Golden Knights made two significant additions ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames and a last-minute shocker in Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks. The Golden Knights acquired a top-four defenseman and a top-six forward, bolstering a roster looking to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. It's hard to call this anything but a win for Vegas, especially with the Sharks retaining 17% of the duration of Hertl's contract. 

Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Odds: +700

Vegas Golden Knights Western Conference Odds: +370

Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche

There's nothing better than a good old-fashioned hockey trade. Since the Colorado Avalanche are in strong contention for a second Stanley Cup in their window, we'll declare them the winners in this deal for now. The Buffalo Sabres still did well acquiring Bowen Byram, assuming he can stay on the ice and healthy. Still, it's an excellent pick-up for Buffalo's defensive core, while the Avalanche have been trying to replace the second-line center position since Nazem Kadri left for free agency, and they do that here with Casey Mittelstadt. 

Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Odds: +800

Colorado Avalanche Western Conference Odds: +410

Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars

Chris Tanev fits the mold of what wins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the Dallas Stars were able to acquire him for a reasonable price. Tanev has a strong first pass and brings the physicality to the table that's needed to grind out wins in the postseason. The Stars are loaded with a great mix of youth and veterans, paired with a goalie who can steal a series. This is a very strong move for Dallas. 

Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Odds: +1000

Dallas Stars Western Conference Odds: +500

Tyler Toffoli to the Winnipeg Jets

Tyler Toffoli has continued his Canadian tour over the last three years. He kicked it off with Vancouver, signed with Montreal, and was traded to Calgary twice before being dealt to Winnipeg ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. Toffoli brings depth scoring to the Jets, who were looking to bolster their scoring. They already acquired Sean Monahan from Montreal, which has paid off. Toffoli has been clutch in the playoffs before, and we won't expect anything different with the Jets. 

Winnipeg Jets Stanley Cup Odds: +1500

Winnipeg Jets Western Conference Odds: +700

Noah Hanifin, Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights

Hockey fans around the league continue to shed tears at how the Vegas Golden Knights have properly utilized their LTIR space. The Golden Knights made two significant additions ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames and a last-minute shocker in Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks. The Golden Knights acquired a top-four defenseman and a top-six forward, bolstering a roster looking to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. It's hard to call this anything but a win for Vegas, especially with the Sharks retaining 17% of the duration of Hertl's contract. 

Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Odds: +700

Vegas Golden Knights Western Conference Odds: +370