NHL trade deadline in the books for another year

By Greg Buchanan

The NHL’s 2024 trade deadline has passed and with it comes the urge to break down the winners and losers of deadline day. Most of these deals will need time, sometimes even years to figure out who truly succeeded and failed on deadline day, but we're going to go ahead and label three winners on draft day, and three losers.

Noah Hanifin - Vegas Golden Knights Defense. PHOTO: ESPN

Let’s be clear here, we’re talking about the winners of the moment. There could be a time when some of our “winner” teams regret what they gave up in preparation for a deep Stanley Cup playoff run. Out of the gate, teams it looks like the Golden Knights made all the right moves to address their immediate needs. The Golden Knights have to be considered a winner, as they’ve added three above average players including defenseman Noah Hanifin and wingers Anthony Mantha and Tomas Hertl, without sacrificing anything from the roster. The trade for Hertl cost prospect David Edstrom and a first-round pick, but Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon ensured his top nine forwards are as skilled as about any team in the NHL. McCrimmon has earned a reputation as a shrewd operator, and his moves at this year’s deadline confirm he knows how to build an elite hockey team.

Edmonton is a good team. They’ve been the best team in the NHL since Knoblauch arrived. Pickard is only a story if Skinner gets injured or struggles mightily, and if he does, the series is likely over by the time they go to the backup. It is the same defence, but also more experienced. Bouchard is better this year than he was last. Same with Desharnais. Every team has a few concerns, but I don’t see Edmonton’s as more than Vancouver, Colorado or other teams in the Western Conference.