By Neil Becker

The NHL Trade Deadline has always been a highly anticipated event. It’s the day when fans across the globe nervously follow television broadcasts or live streams, eagerly watching as a flurry of deadline deals are made. These trades have the potential to turn a mediocre team into a Stanley Cup contender.

History has shown that some trades made at past deadlines have indeed resulted in a team winning the Stanley Cup that spring. One of the most famous examples is the New York Islanders, who on March 10, 1980, traded forward Billy Harris and defenseman Dave Lewis to the Los Angeles Kings for second-line forward Butch Goring. Goring would go on to play a pivotal role in helping the Islanders win four Stanley Cups starting that very year.

This year’s March 7, 2025, trade deadline lived up to its reputation as a chaotic day, with big-name players like Mikko Rantanen and Brad Marchand changing teams. Once the 3 p.m. deadline passed and last-minute trades were finalized, fans and media alike began debating which teams had made the most impactful moves for a serious Stanley Cup run.

1. Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill made a bold move at the trade deadline, acquiring two-time 100-point producer Mikko Rantanen. Upon being traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Lone Star State, Rantanen committed long-term to the Stars by signing an 8-year, $96 million contract extension.

In exchange for the 28-year-old Rantanen, the Stars sent forward Logan Stankoven, a conditional 2026 first-round pick, a conditional 2028 first-round pick, and a third-round pick in the 2027 draft to the Hurricanes.

Rantanen had spent his entire career with the Colorado Avalanche before being traded to Carolina in February. By the time of the trade, he had played 62 games, including 13 with the Hurricanes, where he scored 27 goals and accumulated 70 points.

With young scorers like Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson, and elite goaltending from Jake Oettinger, the Stars have become an even more dangerous team with the addition of Rantanen.

2. Florida Panthers

The defending Stanley Cup champions, Florida Panthers, made a statement when they acquired former Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand in a deal with the rebuilding Bruins. In exchange for the 36-year-old Marchand, who had spent his entire 16-year career with Boston, the Panthers gave up a conditional 2027 second-round pick. That pick could become a first-rounder in 2027 or 2028 if the Panthers win at least two playoff rounds this spring.

Marchand, known as the “Little Ball of Hate,” brings invaluable playoff experience to the Panthers. With over 1,000 career games, Marchand has scored 422 goals, 976 points, and accumulated 1,113 penalty minutes. This season, despite battling injuries, he has produced 21 goals, 47 points, and 62 penalty minutes.

Although Marchand is nursing an upper-body injury sustained on March 1st, he is expected to return by the end of the regular season. His addition, along with captain Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Matthew Tkachuk, and the recent acquisition of blue-chip defenseman Seth Jones, makes the Panthers a strong contender to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

3. Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche strengthened their lineup by acquiring 31-year-old veteran forward Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders the day before the March 7th trade deadline. In exchange, Colorado sent defenseman Oliver Kylington and forward prospect Calum Ritchie to New York, along with prospect William Dufour.

Nelson, who was drafted 30th overall by the Islanders in 2010, has scored 295 goals and accumulated 574 points over more than 900 games with the Islanders. This season, Nelson had 20 goals and 43 points in 61 games before the trade. His addition provides Colorado with more offensive depth, especially down the middle, making the team even more dangerous.

One day later, Colorado made another splash by acquiring 33-year-old veteran center Charlie Coyle from the Bruins in exchange for forward Casey Mittelstadt. Coyle, known for his strong faceoff skills and penalty-kill ability, also adds scoring depth, with 187 goals and 473 career points.

Additionally, Colorado brought back fan-favorite defenseman Erik Johnson in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. Johnson, a key contributor to the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup win, adds leadership and depth to the team’s defense.

With these moves, the Avalanche have significantly improved their roster and will be a tough team to beat.

4. Edmonton Oilers

Heading into the trade deadline, the Edmonton Oilers’ biggest need was on defense. They addressed that need by acquiring puck-moving defenseman Jake Walman from the San Jose Sharks. Walman, 28, brings both physicality and offensive flair to the Oilers’ defense.

In exchange for Walman, the Oilers sent a 2026 conditional first-round pick and forward prospect Carl Berglund to the Sharks. Walman, who was averaging 23:11 of ice time per game this season, had six goals and 32 points prior to the trade, leading the Sharks’ defense corps.

Walman is a big addition for the Oilers, providing a physical presence on the blue line and contributing to their offensive game. At 6’1″ and 218 pounds, he adds depth to the defense and will be a key player as the Oilers make their push for the playoffs.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have faced tremendous pressure since the start of the season. Despite strong regular seasons in recent years, they’ve been plagued by playoff disappointments. To address their needs at the trade deadline, the Leafs acquired a physical shutdown defenseman in Brandon Carlo and a third-line forward in Scott Laughton.

In a trade with the Boston Bruins, the Leafs gave up Fraser Minten, a 2025 fourth-round pick, and a 2026 first-round pick in exchange for Carlo. The 26-year-old Carlo brings a strong defensive presence, having blocked 119 shots and recorded 64 hits in 63 games with Boston this season. He has 29 goals, 129 points, and 331 penalty minutes in 617 career games.

In a separate deal, the Leafs traded right winger Nikita Grebenkin, a conditional 2027 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for Laughton. Laughton, a versatile forward, adds physicality and strong faceoff abilities to the Leafs’ lineup. Prior to the trade, he had 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games with the Flyers.

With the addition of Carlo and Laughton, the Leafs have improved their depth and physicality, making them a more complete team as they head into the postseason.

Conclusion

Only time will tell which team emerged as the clear winner from the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. General managers have the opportunity to make their mark on hockey history, as legendary trades like the one former Islanders GM Bill Torrey made for Butch Goring in 1980 can turn a team into a Stanley Cup contender.