5 under-the-radar trade-deadline moves that have panned out

At every NHL trade deadline, a number of highly sought-after players generate a ton of buzz.

Fans become enthralled with what a big-name addition could mean for their team's Stanley Cup aspirations, experts become entwined in seemingly endless debates, and general managers endure sleepless nights spent waiting by the phone for that big deal to break.

However, some trades come together with much less attention, involving names that aren't exactly destined for the rafters. But those players still hold the ability to make names for themselves, impacting the outcome of their new team's seasons.

With that in mind, here's a look at the under-the-radar deals from the 2018 deadline that have panned out.

Ian Cole, Columbus Blue Jackets

Never one to exactly jump off the stat sheet, Cole has been nothing short of sensational for the Blue Jackets since joining the club from the Ottawa Senators as an extra piece in the Derick Brassard deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and has been a major reason for the team's late-season resurgence.

Prior to joining Columbus, Cole was having a respectable season, but he's totally taken his game to the next level in his 16 games for John Tortorella and Co. Check out his numbers in Pittsburgh compared to his short time with Columbus:

In only 16 games, Cole has already clearly earned the trust of the ever-menacing Tortorella, as the veteran rearguard's pairing with David Savard has been deployed more than any other Blue Jackets defensive combo over the last 10 contests, providing an element of stability to a back end already stacked with the likes of Seth Jones and Zach Werenski.

Cole won't be winning any Norris Trophies anytime soon, but as an under-the-radar addition, he could be worth his weight in gold for a Blue Jackets squad honing in on one of the two Eastern Conference wild-card spots.

J.T. Miller, Tampa Bay Lightning

While Ryan McDonagh's name dominated the airwaves immediately following the Lightning-Rangers blockbuster deal, it's been Miller who's been turning heads in the Sunshine State over the last few weeks.

Basically an add-on in the major five-player trade, Miller has already had a major impact in Tampa, registering eight goals and six assists in 14 games while playing on the Lightning's top line with Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos.

Miller's taken on an increased role since his move to Tampa, playing on the No. 1 power-play unit and averaging 18:25 of ice time per night - nearly two minutes more than with the Rangers. Not to mention, he's solid on the faceoff dot, winning 52.3 percent of his draws over the past 14 games.

There is no denying McDonagh was the key piece in the deal, and he's also performed strongly since returning from injury. But the lack of attention paid to Miller's acquisition and his stellar play make him a lock for a list of this nature.

Ryan Spooner, New York Rangers

Another player involved in a blockbuster move as a periphery piece, Spooner was included in New York's mega-deal with the Boston Bruins to acquire highly prized winger Rick Nash - but since then he's been making some Bruins fans wish that maybe he hadn't.

Not only does Spooner possess the versatility to play both up the middle and on the wing, but the speedy 5-foot-10 playmaker is adept at creating chances for teammates. Something he's already proven in 15 games with the Blue Shirts, racking up 12 assists along with three goals.

Obviously overlooked due to the bigger pieces in the Nash trade, Boston's 2010 second-round pick is already proving to be a player the Rangers will want to keep in the mix for the foreseeable future.

Thomas Vanek, Columbus Blue Jackets

Seemingly traded almost every February, Vanek has been written off more than a few times over the past number of seasons due to his decline in foot speed and production. And because of that, his move to the Blue Jackets flew mostly under the radar.

However, since that move, Vanek has arguably been Columbus' best forward not named Artemi Panarin. Take in his stats since joining the Jackets on deadline day:

Vanek's found chemistry on a line with Boone Jenner and Alexander Wennberg, a trio on which John Tortorella has been relying more than any other over the past 10 games.

Despite few expecting the move to pan out, Vanek is averaging just under a point per game with the Blue Jackets, making his acquisition a surprise success thus far.

Brendan Leipsic, Vancouver Canucks

We won't blame you if you didn't realize Leipsic was even playing in the NHL, let alone doing well on a new team following a deadline deal. But that doesn't change the fact that prior to getting injured, he was finally hitting his stride after years of point-per-game production at the AHL level.

Leipsic missed the last four contests with a upper-body injury, but before that, he was on a very nice tear for the Canucks while playing much heavier minutes - Leipsic averaged only 11:56 with the Golden Knights and 17:23 with Vancouver.

Two goals, seven assists, and a positive Corsi For percentage of 51.3 in 11 games should have Vancouver interested in involving Leipsic in future plans, regardless of how under the radar his acquisition was.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)