Ranking the Top 5 Trades Ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline
Grant White
Host · Writer
1. Hurricanes Acquire Mikko Rantanen
Carolina Hurricanes Receive: Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall, and Nils Juntorp
Colorado Avalanche Receive: Jack Drury, Martin Necas, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes
Chicago Blackhawks Receive: A third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes.
The biggest deal ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline was the Carolina Hurricanes' acquisition of Mikko Rantanen. Over the past few seasons, Rantanen has cemented his place as the top-scoring winger in the NHL and is a virtual lock to excel in Carolina. Taylor Hall has developed into an underappreciated two-way player that is (ahem) tailor-made for the Hurricanes.
Knowing they would probably lose Rantanen for nothing in the offseason, the Colorado Avalanche softened the blow by acquiring pieces to help them this year. Martin Necas salvages this trade for the Avs, but Jack Drury could finally round into form in Colorado.
As is typically the case with the Chicago Blackhawks, they were an afterthought in this deal, only acquiring a third-round pick.
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5. Penguins Sell-Off Begins
Pittsburgh Penguins Receive: Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Melvin Fernstrom, and a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Vancouver Canucks Receive: Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor
Still, one of the shrewdest General Managers in the NHL, Kyle Dubas, desperately needed to make a move to shake up the floundering Pittsburgh Penguins. He did precisely that at the end of last week, acquiring a much-needed first-round draft pick from the Vancouver Canucks for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor. However, Danton Heinen and Vincent Desharnais represent NHL-caliber players who help the Pens stay competitive this season.
Pettersson solidifies the Canucks' top-four on the blueline, with O'Connor serving as a middle-six forward with modest scoring potential.
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4. Stars Bolster Depth & Stanley Cup Chances
Dallas Stars Receive: Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci
San Jose Sharks Receive: First- and third-round picks in the 2025 Entry Draft.
Low-key, this could be a move that helps the Dallas Stars get over the hump in the 2024-25 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The two-time Western Conference Final runner-ups acquired Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks, bolstering their forward and defensive depth. Ceci was a stalwart in the Edmonton Oilers' run to the Stanley Cup Final last season, while Granlund is on pace for his career's most productive offensive season.
The Sharks continue to look toward the future, acquiring first and third-round picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.
3. Flames Land Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee
Calgary Flames Receive: Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee
Philadelphia Flyers Receive: Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pelletier, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a seventh-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
The Calgary Flames weren't supposed to be in this position. The playoff hopefuls started the season with the third-longest odds on the Stanley Cup futures board. But past the season's halfway point, the Flames find themselves in the thick of the Wild Card race.
Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee joined the Flames' cavalry following a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. Both forwards have promising offensive ceilings, sliding into Calgary's top nine.
The Flyers acquired building blocks for the future, but Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier have proven to be competent NHL talents.
2. J.T. Miller Bullies His Way Out of Vancouver
New York Rangers Receive: J.T. Miller, Erik Brannstrom, and Jackson Dorrington
Vancouver Canucks Receive: Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
One of the most expected moves of the NHL's trade season came to fruition last week. J.T. Miller finally forced the Canucks' hand and got the trade he so desperately needed. Erik Brannstrom and prospect Jackson Dorrington joined him on their way to the New York Rangers. Assuredly, Miller and Brannstrom will be integral figures in the Rangers' playoff pursuit.
Vancouver came nowhere close to replacing Miller's offensive contributions. Nevertheless, Filip Chytil and Victor Mancini should fare well in the Canucks' systems. The first-round pick was a must, considering the lopsided nature of the trade.
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1. Hurricanes Acquire Mikko Rantanen
Carolina Hurricanes Receive: Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall, and Nils Juntorp
Colorado Avalanche Receive: Jack Drury, Martin Necas, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes
Chicago Blackhawks Receive: A third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes.
The biggest deal ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline was the Carolina Hurricanes' acquisition of Mikko Rantanen. Over the past few seasons, Rantanen has cemented his place as the top-scoring winger in the NHL and is a virtual lock to excel in Carolina. Taylor Hall has developed into an underappreciated two-way player that is (ahem) tailor-made for the Hurricanes.
Knowing they would probably lose Rantanen for nothing in the offseason, the Colorado Avalanche softened the blow by acquiring pieces to help them this year. Martin Necas salvages this trade for the Avs, but Jack Drury could finally round into form in Colorado.
As is typically the case with the Chicago Blackhawks, they were an afterthought in this deal, only acquiring a third-round pick.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
5. Penguins Sell-Off Begins
Pittsburgh Penguins Receive: Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Melvin Fernstrom, and a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Vancouver Canucks Receive: Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor
Still, one of the shrewdest General Managers in the NHL, Kyle Dubas, desperately needed to make a move to shake up the floundering Pittsburgh Penguins. He did precisely that at the end of last week, acquiring a much-needed first-round draft pick from the Vancouver Canucks for Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor. However, Danton Heinen and Vincent Desharnais represent NHL-caliber players who help the Pens stay competitive this season.
Pettersson solidifies the Canucks' top-four on the blueline, with O'Connor serving as a middle-six forward with modest scoring potential.
Get inside the crease, access who is starting tonight’s NHL matchups, and save projections with SportsGrid’s Starting Goalies Page.
