NHL Trade Deadline Winners and Losers

posted March 22, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Josh Bartosik

The NHL trade deadline has come and gone with lots of movement around the league. Several teams looked to bolster their rosters while other teams blew it all up to look towards the future.

Once the 3 p.m. deadline rolled around, it became clear a handful of franchises hit the jackpot while others folded. Here is a list of a few winners and losers from this year’s trade deadline.

Winners:

Colorado Avalanche

In: Josh Manson, Nico Sturm, Artturi Lehkonen, Andrew Cogliano
Out: Justin Barron, Tyson Jost, Drew Helleson, 2023 2nd, 2024 5th

Colorado was already a cup favorite before the trade deadline and now the Avalanche just made their case that much better.

The Avalanche found a way to strengthen their forward and defensive core and keep the majority of their prospects and picks to protect the future. 

The biggest move was bringing in Josh Manson from the Anaheim Ducks to solidify the back end after Sam Girard went out long term with injury. When Girard is healthy in the playoffs, the Avalanche will have the best blue line in the league by a mile.

They also brought in Nico Sturm and Artturi Lehkonen to bring more grit and depth scoring, two very crucial components to a Stanley Cup contender come May.

It’s championship or bust this season for the Avalanche, as they look to win their first Stanley Cup in over 20 years.

Minnesota Wild

In: Marc-André Fleury, Jacob Middleton, Nicolas Deslauriers, Tyson Jost, 2022 2nd
Out: Nico Sturm, Jack McBain, Kaapo Kahkonen, 2022 1st/2nd,  2022 5th, 2023 3rd

Minnesota’s general manager Bill Guerin has been looking to turn a perennial first-round exit team into a legitimate contender. This year’s trade deadline acquisitions may have finally pushed them over the edge.

The Wild swung for the fences and made contact, bringing in the reigning Vezina Trophy winner Marc-André Fleury to strengthen their between the pipes play, a huge sore spot for Minnesota this season.

The state of hockey reeled in defensive defenseman Jacob Middleton as well as bottom six forward Tyson Jost to help make their new goaltender’s job a little easier.

With a mix of dazzling young talent like Kirill Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala and grizzled veterans like Fleury and Matt Dumba, this team has the build and potential to make a deep playoff run.

Losers:

Philadelphia Flyers

In: Owen Tippett, 2 3rds in 2023, 4th in 2023, 1st in 2024/2025
Out: Claude Giroux, Justin Braun, Derrick Brassard, Connor Bunnaman, German Rubtsov

As the Flyers continued to underperform throughout the season, it became more and more evident that Claude Giroux would most likely be shipped out to a contender.

Once it was announced he was being traded to Florida, everyone expected a massive return for the tenured captain. Instead, the Flyers were only able to come away with one prospect and a first round pick in three years in return for one of the best ever to wear the orange and white.

The Flyers faithful have always been extremely critical of their team and front office, but they have the right to question the mind of general manager Chuck Fletcher for failing to build for the future at the cost of their top player.

Tampa Bay Lightning

In: Brandon Hagel, Nick Paul, 2022 4th, 2024 4th, Riley Nash
Out: Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh, Mathieu Joseph, 2023 1st, 2024 1st, 2024 4th.

Tampa Bay is looking to become just the fourth franchise in NHL history to win three straight Stanley Cups. However in the process of achieving this goal, they have sacrificed an abundance of picks and top prospects.

Although Brandon Hagel is a solid young forward signed for the next three years, the Lightning gave up a massive haul including their two top prospects in Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh along with two first round picks.

The Lightning now only have two picks within the first and second round in the next three drafts, going all in for a chance to make history.

The Lightning better pray they reach Lord Stanley’s Cup once again, otherwise the Hagel trade will look even more outlandish than it already does.


Josh Bartosik is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email joshbartosik13@gmail.com.