Ranking the Top 5 Best Moves of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline
Jake Burkey
Host · Writer
5. Reilly Smith → Vegas Golden Knights
To Vegas: Reilly Smith
To New York: Brendan Brisson, 2025 3rd RD pick
Reilly Smith is packing his bags from the New York Rangers and heading back to Vegas. He recently played with the Vegas Golden Knights, winning a Stanley Cup in 2023. Like the Lightning with Gourde, Vegas decides to bring back Smith, hoping for some playoff magic come April.
1. Mikko Rantanen → Dallas Stars
To Dallas: Mikko Rantanen
To Carolina: Logan Stankoven, 2026 1st RD pick, 2027 1st RD pick, 2026 3rd RD pick, 2027 3rd RD pick
Mikko Rantanen clearly had no intentions of signing long term with the Carolina Hurricanes since he joined the team in a blockbuster trade from the Colorado Avalanche back in January. Now, he's heading to Dallas, where he will play a crucial role in that top unit. The Dallas Stars are scary, stacked in all areas, from offense to defense and in goal.
2. Brad Marchand → Florida Panthers
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To Florida: Brad Marchand
To Boston: 2027 2nd RD pick (conditional)This trade was a last-minute shock to the hockey world. Former Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand is leaving behind the only team he’s ever known and heading to the Florida Panthers. This is an absolutely shocking trade, as the Bruins and Panthers have been playoff foes for a few seasons now. I think Marchand will fit seamlessly into that lineup with Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Sam Bennett.
3. Brock Nelson → Colorado Avalanche
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To Colorado: Brock Nelson, William Dufour
To New York: Calum Ritchie, Oliver Kylington, 2026 1st RD pick, 2028 3rd RD pickÂ
Brock Nelson has been a New York Islander for over a decade, playing every game of his entire NHL career on the Isle. This was a good rebuilding trade for New York, as it was time to move on from the aging center. For the Colorado Avalanche, they are stacking up their roster for a strong push come playoff time.
4. Yanni Gourde → Tampa Bay Lightning
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To Tampa: Yanni Gourde, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Kyle Aucoin, 2026 5th RD pick
To Seattle: Michael Eyssimont, 2025 2nd RD pick, 2026 1st RD pick
Yanni Gourde is headed back to the Tampa Bay Lightning after three and a half seasons with the Seattle Kraken. Gourde won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Tampa in 2020 and 2021. Add a solid forward like Oliver Bjorkstrand into the deal, and it’s clear the Lightning are all in for a playoff push with this core.
5. Reilly Smith → Vegas Golden Knights
To Vegas: Reilly Smith
To New York: Brendan Brisson, 2025 3rd RD pick
Reilly Smith is packing his bags from the New York Rangers and heading back to Vegas. He recently played with the Vegas Golden Knights, winning a Stanley Cup in 2023. Like the Lightning with Gourde, Vegas decides to bring back Smith, hoping for some playoff magic come April.
1. Mikko Rantanen → Dallas Stars
To Dallas: Mikko Rantanen
To Carolina: Logan Stankoven, 2026 1st RD pick, 2027 1st RD pick, 2026 3rd RD pick, 2027 3rd RD pick
Mikko Rantanen clearly had no intentions of signing long term with the Carolina Hurricanes since he joined the team in a blockbuster trade from the Colorado Avalanche back in January. Now, he's heading to Dallas, where he will play a crucial role in that top unit. The Dallas Stars are scary, stacked in all areas, from offense to defense and in goal.
