NHL trade deadline: Analysis and grades for every notable deal

Welcome to your one-stop shop for analysis and grades of every major NHL transaction that was completed before the March 6 trade deadline.

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March 6

Avalanche acquire Kadri

Note: Flames retain 20% of Kadri's $7-million cap hit.

Colorado is the NHL's top team by points and one of a few inner-circle Stanley Cup contenders. This is the year to be bold with trades, and GM Chris MacFarland didn't disappoint with four swaps in a span of 10 days.

The Kadri acquisition, which wasn't officially announced until well past the 3 p.m. ET deadline, is easily the biggest swing. Kadri, a member of the 2022 Cup-winning Avalanche team, returns to Denver to fill the third-line center spot behind superstar Nathan MacKinnon and underrated Brock Nelson. Colorado truly has an embarrassment of riches down the middle with Jack Drury or Nicolas Roy (acquired Thursday) as overqualified 4C options.

Kadri, 35 and under contract through 2028-29, is an ultra-competitive player who can set up teammates and finish scoring chances himself. He has a physical edge, he's good at drawing penalties, and he produces in the playoffs. And his ex-coach Jared Bednar is still behind the Avs' bench.

On top of Kadri and Roy, MacFarland recently added defensemen Nick Blankenburg and Brett Kulak. Colorado's blue line is significantly deeper now.

All told, the Avs sacrificed two first-rounders, two seconds, two fifths, defenseman Sam Girard, forward Curran, and forward Olofsson. On aggregate, that's efficient work by one of the smartest front offices in hockey.

Colorado: A
Calgary: B+

Red Wings acquire Faulk

Dylan Larkin must have been grinning widely on Friday afternoon.

The Red Wings captain famously vented to reporters following last year's deadline about GM Steve Yzerman's inactivity on the trade market. Now, with Detroit rocking a 35-20-7 record, Yzerman is bringing in a versatile top-four defenseman at a fair rate. Larkin certainly can't complain.

Faulk, who turns 34 on March 20, is big and mobile, has decent puck skills, and is willing to put his body on the line time and again to block shots. He's recorded 32 points in 61 contests this season while playing 22:30 per game for the woeful Blues. Most importantly, Faulk strengthens the right side of Detroit's blue line, giving the first pair of Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider some much-needed support at five-on-five. He makes $6.5 million this year and next.

The return package - which includes a Holl cap dump - is very good, especially when combined with the Schenn return. Blues GM Doug Armstrong added two 2026 first-rounders Friday, plus two promising prospects in Buchelnikov (22-year-old KHL forward) and Gidlof (20-year-old SHL goalie).

This trade is a classic win-win.

Detroit: A
St. Louis: A

Kings acquire Laughton

Note: Draft pick turns into second-rounder if Kings make 2026 playoffs.

Laughton's an ideal fourth-line center for a Cup contender. Does GM Ken Holland view the Kings as a serious threat in 2025-26, or is he mostly hoping to get a head start on re-signing the 31-year-old pending UFA?

I'm willing to give Holland the benefit of the doubt and assume the longtime executive is banking on a Laughton extension. If that's the case, sending a third-round pick (that may turn into a second) to Toronto is completely justifiable. Laughton, a heart-and-soul type of leader, is strong in the faceoff circle and can kill penalties. He's easy to fit under the cap at $1.5 million.

The Leafs, meanwhile, can't be too pleased with the return. GM Brad Treliving acquired Laughton from Philadelphia at last year's deadline for a first-round pick and a younger Laughton (22-year-old Nikita Grebenkin). And now, in a seller's market, all he got in return is a third - or, if he's lucky, a second?

Los Angeles: B-
Toronto: C-

Capitals acquire Liljegren

Note: The pick going to San Jose is Vegas' fourth-rounder.

Out goes franchise icon John Carlson early Friday morning. In comes Liljegren less than an hour before the deadline. The playoff-contending Capitals have craftily sold and bought right-handed defensemen within a tight window.

Liljegren, who is 10 years younger than Carlson at 26, joins a Washington blue line featuring old teammate Rasmus Sandin. Expect Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery to at the very least experiment with a defense pairing featuring the two former first-round Maple Leafs draft picks.

Liljegren, a pending unrestricted free agent making $3 million against the cap, skates and moves the puck well. He was gradually given more minutes in San Jose after a 2024 trade out of Toronto and grew into a top-four role over time.

The Sharks had four pending UFA defensemen on their roster, so GM Mike Grier is getting something for one outgoing piece. But you'd think he'd be able to squeeze Washington for more than a fourth-rounder.

Washington: A-
San Jose: C+

Islanders acquire Schenn

Note: The first-rounder going to St. Louis was originally Colorado's, and the third-rounder was originally New Jersey's.

The Islanders have ridden the wave of Matthew Schaefer's exceptional rookie season to third place in the Metropolitan Division. They're a good squad with long-term promise but currently far from Cup contenders.

It wouldn't have made sense for them to acquire players on expiring contracts at this deadline. Schenn, however, addresses a current need down the middle and is signed through 2027-28. The 34-year-old would be an ideal third-line center on a contender, but he'll likely slide into the 2C spot in New York, giving 1C Bo Horvat easier matchups in the process.

Although Schenn's production is down in 2025-26, he still has some game left, particularly in the faceoff circle and in the offensive zone while playmaking. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder will help on the ice and is a trusted leader off it.

In a vacuum, I like this deal for the Isles. In context, though, I worry Schenn is the wrong player to give up a first-round pick plus three assets to acquire. That's a hefty package for an aging middle-six guy attached to a $6.5-million cap hit. Drouin is an NHLer, and Gidlof is a legitimate goalie prospect.

Excellent negotiating by Blues GM Doug Armstrong.

New York: C+
St. Louis: A

Kraken acquire McMann

The 29-23-9 Kraken are holding down a wild-card spot in a top-heavy Western Conference. They swung and missed on acquiring Artemi Panarin before the Olympic break and were quiet in the lead-up to Friday's deadline.

Now they've made a minor splash at the last minute.

McMann is a pending UFA left winger with speed to burn. He's a threat off the rush and on the forecheck, scoring 20 goals in 74 games last year and 19 in 60 this year. The 29-year-old should find a comfy home on the third line.

Seattle is one of the NHL's worst offensive teams, and McMann doesn't raise their ceiling. So this isn't wizardry by GM Jason Botterill; it's a depth addition. But Kraken fans can feel pretty good about Botterill not having to give up a first-round pick.

The Leafs were surely chasing a first-rounder. Ultimately, this outcome - a second and fourth - isn't some huge failure. They added two lottery tickets.

Seattle: B-
Toronto: B-

Lightning acquire Perry

Note: Kings retain 50% of Perry's $2-million cap hit.

I guess the Lightning will be representing the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final? I'm only half joking.

Perry's appeared in the Cup Final in five of the past six postseasons, representing four different teams in the process. The potential future Hall of Famer's lone Cup win came in 2007 with the Ducks.

Perry turns 41 in May and remains a solid player in sheltered minutes, which he'll continue to receive in Tampa Bay. Despite some of the worst foot speed in the NHL, he often gets to the right spot at the right time. "The Worm" loves to wreak havoc and poke at pucks around the goalmouth. He contributed 14 points in 22 playoff games for Edmonton last year.

The back half of his career has been wild. Perry spent 14 years in Anaheim before touring the league in the most recent seven, making previous stops in Dallas, Montreal, Tampa, Chicago, Edmonton, and Los Angeles before this second stint with the Lightning.

All that said, a second-rounder is a fantastic return for the Kings.

Tampa: B+
L.A.: A-

Wild acquire Foligno

Wild general manager Bill Guerin continues to tinker around the edges of his roster three months after making a cannonball-sized splash with the acquisition of superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Foligno, the older brother to longtime Wild forward Marcus, is bound for a left-wing spot on Minnesota's fourth line. At 38 and in his 19th NHL season, Nick Foligno is limited offensively. He brings some value on the defensive side of the puck and, as the outgoing captain of the Blackhawks, proven leadership qualities. The pending unrestricted free agent carries a $4.5 million cap hit.

Guerin traded a second-round pick for depth center Michael McCarron on Tuesday, a seventh-rounder for depth defenseman Jeff Petry on Wednesday, and young defenseman David Jiricek for intriguing middle-six winger Bobby Brink on Friday. Quantity over quality during deadline week.

The Wild must survive the Central Division gauntlet to challenge for the Stanley Cup. Each addition gives them a slightly better chance of advancing past the Stars in Round 1 and, presumably, the Avalanche in Round 2.

Chicago GM Kyle Davidson is doing Foligno a solid here, as the Buffalo native can now go chase a first Cup alongside a family member. I like the sentiment, and players around the league will take note of Davidson's gesture. Still, the Blackhawks should have gotten something more concrete in return.

Minnesota: B-
Chicago: C+

Ducks acquire Carlson

Note: Anaheim has the option of changing the 2026 first-rounder to a 2027 first-rounder if it misses the 2026 playoffs.

The Ducks' blue line is led by left-handed defensemen. While Carlson's past his prime, he immediately becomes the club's best option on the right side.

Carlson, 36, is a bit iffy defensively at this point in his career, yet he remains highly effective overall thanks to awesome scoring-chance and goal differentials. With 10 goals and 46 points in 55 games, Carlson, a career-long Capital until now, is on pace for his highest goal and point totals since 2021-22 and 2019-20, respectively.

Anaheim, which sits second in the Pacific Division, can take on Carlson's full $8-million cap hit. He's on an expiring contract, so this could be a pure rental situation or a tryout of sorts for a shorter, cheaper deal to end his career.

The Capitals are four points out of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. The front office isn't necessarily waving the white flag on 2025-26 by trading Carlson - a 17-year staple in Washington - or center Nic Dowd, who was dealt to the Golden Knights on Thursday. Management is instead recognizing a seller's market and trying to recoup as many assets as possible for two veterans who likely weren't going to return anyway.

I like this trade for both sides. Win-win.

Anaheim: B+
Washington: B+

Sabres acquire Stanley, Schenn

Note: Jets retain 50% of Schenn's $2.75-million cap hit.

The Sabres had a trade in place to bring in Colton Parayko from the Blues, but the stud defenseman opted not to waive his no-trade clause. This deal with Winnipeg is clearly Plan B, making it impossible to not factor in what could have been.

Neither Stanley or Schenn is as talented or impactful as Parayko. In fact, even their combined on-ice value doesn't add up to Parayko's. So, whether it's entirely fair or not, Buffalo's grade takes a hit here.

Stanley is enjoying a career year offensively (21 points in 59 games for a horrible Jets team). The 6-foot-7, 231-pounder will bring physicality and a booming shot to a defense corps that's relied heavily on Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, Bowen Byram, and Owen Power through 62 games.

Buffalo needed to backfill its blue line, and Stanley very much helps.

I get why Schenn is part of this deal. The Sabres could use both a right-handed D-man and a veteran who's beloved in the dressing room. But expectations should be tempered for a plodding 36-year-old defender who, at his very best, barely scrapes by as a below-average third-pair guy.

In general, I love seeing the Sabres buy around the deadline. They've gone 26-5-2 since Dec. 9 for a league-leading 54 points and .818 points percentage in that time. That NHL record 14-year playoff drought is ending this season, and management sees opportunity in a weak Eastern Conference.

As for the Jets, Rosen is the crown jewel of the return. The 2021 first-round pick is dominating the AHL at 22 years old. He has top-six upside on the wings.

Buffalo: B-
Winnipeg: B-

Blue Jackets acquire Garland

Garland is one of the NHL's most underrated wingers. He plays much bigger than his size (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) and wins a ton of puck battles along the walls against giants. He's also a strong skater, dogged forechecker, and skilled playmaker who's good for 50 points a season.

In many ways, Garland's exactly the type of player Columbus needs now and in the future. The "future" part is notable because Garland signed a six-year deal with the Canucks last July, and the extension doesn't kick in until next season. While the Massachusetts native is making $4.9 million this season, he'll earn $6 million annually from 2026-27 through the 2031-32 campaign.

Vancouver has been hesitant to fully commit to a rebuild. This trade signals the front office understands the task at hand. Garland's next contract includes a no-move clause, so trying to trade him later on would've been a headache.

It would have been nice if the Canucks reeled in a first-round pick. However, a lot of teams were likely turned off by the extension between the term, cap hit, and Garland's age (30 next week). I'm ultimately OK with the return.

Columbus: B+
Vancouver: B-

March 5

Senators acquire Foegele

"Fine" is the word that comes to mind here.

Foegele is a perfectly fine NHL winger - very good defensively at five-on-five and useful on the penalty kill, but with a relatively low offensive ceiling (career-high 46 points in 2024-25, and only nine in 47 games this season for the Kings).

The fit is fine. Ottawa doesn't necessarily need another forward with Foegele's skill set and statistical profile. But the 29-year-old worker bee is a useful piece for coach Travis Green and has a reputation as a well-liked teammate.

The cost is fine, too. Would a third-rounder have made more sense based on market trends? Yes. But a second is all right since Foegele is under contract through next season at a digestible $3.5-million cap hit.

All three picks in this deal feature a quirk: Los Angeles is receiving Buffalo's second-rounder, not Ottawa's. The third-rounder going to the Kings is the better pick between Ottawa's own third and Washington's third. Ottawa, meanwhile, is receiving the worse pick of L.A.'s own third and Dallas' third.

Ottawa: B-
L.A.: A

Stars acquire Bunting

First, Tyler Myers. Now, Bunting. Stars GM Jim Nill is getting his deadline shopping done early.

Bunting, a pending UFA with a $4.5-million cap hit, is a dirty-areas winger who's historically averaged half a point per game. He can man the left wing on virtually any line, but ideally, he slots into the bottom six at even strength and gets net-front duty on the second power-play unit.

A relentless pursuer of pucks, Bunting is tied with Matthew Tkachuk for the sixth-most penalties drawn since his rookie 2020-21 season - especially impressive since he's logged just 15:30 a night in 405 career games. Dallas will be Bunting's sixth team in six years (Arizona, Toronto, Carolina, Pittsburgh).

The Stars' forward group needs more jam and feistiness, so I like this addition on the surface. I really like it at this low cost. Acquiring Bunting for a third-rounder is a bargain given the caliber of players currently garnering seconds.

Nashville's now traded four pending UFAs this week. Nick Blankenburg, Cole Smith, and Michael McCarron are also gone, while Erik Haula and Tyson Jost should be traded before the deadline. The league is keeping an eye on GM Barry Trotz: Will he deal stars with term in Steven Stamkos and Ryan O'Reilly?

Dallas: A-
Nashville: C+

Avalanche acquire Roy

Note: First-rounder becomes an unprotected 2028 first if the Avalanche land a top-10 pick in 2027.

Colorado, the NHL's best team all season, is bringing in a bottom-six center in exchange for a first-round pick (plus a fifth). Talk about a seller's market.

It's a bit difficult to evaluate this trade without knowing what else Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland has up his sleeve. If this is the Avs' only move to upgrade at center, it's underwhelming considering Nazem Kadri, Ryan O'Reilly, and Vincent Trocheck are all still reportedly available. A center group of Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Jack Drury, and Roy could power the Avs to a Cup. But this deal hasn't meaningfully raised the club's ceiling; a trade for a top-six center would.

Roy is 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds. The 29-year-old brings a little scoring touch, is solid in the faceoff circle, and won't hurt you defensively. He'd been buried on the Golden Knights, and the Leafs had high hopes for him after picking him up in the Mitch Marner sign-and-trade deal last summer.

Colorado is betting on Roy excelling in a limited role, like he did in Vegas. Also, MacFarland may simply lack the types of high-end prospects required to pair with a first-rounder in order to acquire a premium center.

A first-rounder plus a fifth (which will be the lowest of Colorado's three fifths in 2026) is a dream return for Toronto, especially since Roy's 59 games in a Leafs uniform were mediocre at best. He makes $3 million this year and next - not an onerous contract for the Avs but not an amazing bargain either.

Colorado: C+
Toronto: A

March 4

Oilers acquire Dickinson

Note: Blackhawks retain 50% of Dickinson's $4.25-million cap hit.

Edmonton deepened its blue line Monday by picking up Connor Murphy from Chicago. Two days later, GM Stan Bowman has returned to the same rival team (and his former employer) to deepen his forward group.

Dickinson, a 30-year-old pending UFA, slides into the Oilers' third-line center slot behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. A defensive pivot who scored a career-high 22 goals in 2023-24, Dickinson is best known for his penalty killing. The Blackhawks sit first in penalty kill percentage through 61 games in large part due to Dickinson's diligence, and the Oilers will count on him to improve their 26th-ranked rate.

Dach, a 23-year-old forward, has split his season between the NHL and AHL.

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson is doing his old boss two money-saving favors by keeping $2.125 million (Dickinson retention) and bringing in $3.6 million in cap commitments through 2026-27 (struggling winger Mangiapane's deal).

Dickinson alone wouldn't have fetched a first-rounder, so the favors are worth it for the Blackhawks. (Is it worth it for the Oilers? That's a trickier question considering so much of their current cap crunch is self-inflicted.)

The Blackhawks now own two first-round picks in 2026 and two in 2027, along with three second-rounders in 2026 and two second-rounders in 2027. Davidson's attempting to build a sustainable Cup contender around superstar forward Connor Bedard, so expect Chicago to flip some of those picks for NHL help. The Blackhawks want to keep taking steps forward.

Edmonton: C+
Chicago: B+

Mammoth acquire Weegar

Utah's Bill Armstrong has become one of the NHL's boldest GMs of late, having acquired Mikhail Sergachev and JJ Peterka in 2024 and 2025 blockbusters. He strikes again by adding a top-pairing defenseman to a Mammoth defense corps that's been missing a workhorse on the right side.

Weegar, 32, is a do-everything blue-liner who can handle heavy minutes. He skates well, makes crisp breakout passes, blocks a ton of shots and passes, recovers loose pucks efficiently, and lays the body when necessary. Like most Flames players, Weegar's production is down in 2025-26: He's got 21 points in 60 games for a 29-point pace after seasons of 47 and 52 points.

The 32-25-4 Mammoth, easily a top 10 defensive team this season, now have three key blue-liners under team control for the next handful of years - right-handed Weegar plus lefty Sergachev and stud rookie Dmitri Simashev.

Weegar's in the third year of an eight-year deal paying him $6.25 million annually. Utah's assuming risk in those final few years given Weegar's age.

All that said, Craig Conroy deserves props. The Flames GM reeled in an absolute haul for a player whose best remaining seasons don't align with Calgary's timeline.

Maatta is a pro's pro on the back end - a solid third-pair guy who can mentor young players. Castagna is a B-level forward prospect in the middle of a point-per-game junior year at Cornell. Three second-rounders in one draft is extremely fun and certainly better than getting only a first-rounder from Utah.

The Flames now own one-eighth of the 2026 second round: their own early selection, the New York Rangers' early pick, the Ottawa Senators' selection in the middle of the round, and Utah's late pick. A good scouting staff can find Conroy two future NHLers with those four picks, all of which should fall within Nos. 33-55.

Utah: B+
Calgary: A-

Stars acquire Myers

Note: Canucks retain 50% of Myers' $3-million cap hit.

Dallas, a legitimate Cup contender, desperately needs help on the right side of its blue line. Myers is indeed a veteran right-handed NHL defenseman, but I'm not convinced the 36-year-old solves the whole problem.

Myers, listed at 6-foot-8 and 229 pounds, can clear the front of the net and kill penalties. While mobile for his size, he isn't smooth with the puck and spends too much time in the box (20 minor penalties in 57 games in 2025-26).

With Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen on the top pair, Myers will likely find a home beside Thomas Harley on the second pairing while Lian Bichsel and Ilya Lyubushkin or Nils Lundkvist hold down the third. That right side, beyond Heiskanen, remains vulnerable if Dallas doesn't make another trade.

On the other hand, Myers arrives on a cheap contract with the Canucks retaining salary. He'll count for a mere $1.5 million against the salary cap this year and next. So: bargain addition for the Stars but not a hugely impactful player.

The last-place Canucks, meanwhile, make out well by acquiring two draft picks, including a valuable second-rounder, for a player who's of no use to them.

Dallas: B-
Vancouver: A-

John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email ([email protected]).