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Sports Editor: Tom Dunford

Email: tdunford@umassd.edu

With the NHL trade deadline officially over, it is time to examine what teams came out looking petrifying and what teams left scratching their heads. 

Some teams got that extra piece, while others were able to cut ties and obtain draft capital and prospects to prepare for the future. Meanwhile, some general managers were swindled and have been dealing with sunk cost value. 

So, without further ado, here are the top winners and losers from the deadline.

Winner – Vegas Golden Knights

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. 

This quote reigns true for the Vegas Golden Knights, who went from being labeled as The Golden Misfits of the NHL to a toxic, overbearing beast in just over half a decade. When the team came into the league and made an aspirating run to the Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season, it was seen as a blessing for the NHL, proving anything can happen in hockey. 

But now, the rich get richer, and Vegas is taking another gamble this deadline, hoping to hit the jackpot for the second time in their title defense season.

The Golden Knights made some bold moves, targeting players from struggling teams. Their key acquisitions include Noah Hanafin, a defenseman from the Calgary Flames who was looking for a change, Anthony Mantha, a winger from the Washington Capitals, and Tomas Hertl, a player who was a beacon of hope for the San Jose Sharks. 

Without having to give up significant assets, the Golden Knights are once again a cup favorite, with talent soaring through the roster. 

Loser – Los Angeles Kings 

When we said some teams are left swindled, there has to be some credit given. At least those teams attempted to make big moves and changes to their roster. It appears the Kings thought the deadline was later, as they failed to make any trade.

This wouldn’t be a big deal if they had a strong, contending roster. 

The issue is they don’t. 

The LA Kings currently sit third in the Pacific Division, with a record of 33-21-11, but with teams like the Golden Knights breathing right down their back, there is a chance they fall out of playoff contention.

They had made a deal with the Boston Bruins, but the trade was shot down due to goaltender Linus Ullmark’s NMC, which left the Kings directionless. Instead of going after another goaltender, the team stood pat and watched other teams bolster their squads while they sat aimlessly. 

Winner – Carolina Hurricanes 

The Carolina Hurricanes have lacked star power for years, and it’s cost them a chance of a Stanley Cup. Instead of straying away from big moves, the team took a massive risk that they hope will pay off in the upcoming playoffs. 

The main move was acquiring the playmaking winger Jake Guentzel, giving up some draft capital, with no major assets moved. In addition, they acquired Capitals center Evgeni Kuznetsov for a third-round pick. 

With these two moves, the Canes now have the pieces to contend, with players like Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and Jacob Slavin having plenty of experience to win. The team is also healing from the injury bug, with star goaltender Frederick Andersen returning to the lineup after suffering blood clots. 

Now is the time for the Hurricanes to roar. 

Loser – Boston Bruins 

Being a Boston Bruins fan is like spending $500 on scratch tickets and winning back the $500. Yes, it is nice to get the money back, but everyone always craves more. 

The Bruins knew this season would be tricky; after a massive collapse in the postseason after a historic regular season, they had to cut ties with many significant assets. 

While they are third in the entire league, it comes with a major asterisk. They are 38-14-15, which, on paper, sounds like an excellent record. But that is fifteen losses in overtime and/or a shootout, which causes a lot of despair. 

The number of times this team has blown leads in the final minutes of play is astronomical, and with the team’s lack of moves at the deadline, it appears nothing will change in the playoffs. 

The team traded a sixth-round pick for Minnesota Wild winger Patrick Maroon, who can be gritty and throw his body around but brings no true star power to a team that desperately lacks it. They also traded for defenseman Andrew Peeke, who found himself benched repeatedly in Columbus. 

Boston hopes its answers can come from within its system because this core is not getting any younger. 

Winner – Florida Panthers

As a Bruins fan, I hate this. However, as a hockey fan, I have to respect the Panthers’ ability to make trades and acquire top assets for cheap. 

The Florida Panthers did incredible at the deadline, and it will only help them in the playoffs as they look to get their revenge after last season.

The Panthers went through the gauntlet this past playoff season, taking on a record-breaking Bruins squad after tumbling into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. But the Cats went hunting and took down the Bruins after falling 3-1 in the best-of-seven series before manhandling the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively. However, their Cinderella story ended in heartbreak, with the Golden Knights squashing their aspirations in five games.

With that said, Florida made noise this deadline. They acquired Vladimir Tarasenko, who isn’t what he used to be but is still a solid point-per-game player. They were also able to get former Sabres captain Kyle Okposo for cheap.

This team will be dangerous, with the pest in Matthew Tkachuck and defensive mastermind in Aleksander Barkov leading the way. Expect this team to make serious noise at playoff time.

Loser – Toronto Maple Leafs

Do you need goaltending? Do you have plenty of draft capital and a team locked down to multiple long-term extensions, and could you shed one of those contracts for cheaper but statistically better assets? 

Well, that’s too bad because your general manager is Brad Treliving, and all of Toronto realizes why Flames fans jumped for joy when he was let go. 

The Leafs have plenty of holes in their roster, mainly at the goaltender position. The three-headed monster of Illya Samsonov, Martin Jones, and Joseph Woll has been mediocre at best and disastrous at worst. 

The x-factor come playoff time has always been goaltending. If a goalie can get hot, it leaves little room for the opposition to miss on chances, as goaltenders can make or break a playoff season. 

Take the 2019 St. Louis Blues Cup run, for example. They only went that far because Jordan Binnington played out-of-his-mind hockey. 

This Leafs team needed to make a splash in the deep end, but instead, their deadline ended up being them staying in the shallow end, where it’s safe and secure. As they watched teams become major-level threats, they stood pat with a roster that has proven time after time that they can’t win when it matters.