The 2026 NHL trade deadline came and went on Friday without much in the way of major blockbuster moves or unexpected moves. But there were still some deals that could have an impact on the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
So let’s take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from the day.
NHL trade-deadline winners
Dallas Stars depth: The Stars are already one of the best teams in the NHL and added two nice depth pieces in forward Michael Bunting (from the Nashville Predators) and defenseman Tyler Myers (from the Vancouver Canucks), and did not have to give up any of their first-round draft picks to do so. In what turned out to be a seller’s market, that is nice business.
Detroit Red Wings defense: General manager Steve Yzerman finally did something somewhat notable to add to his roster, getting defenseman Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues. Is it a super flashy move? No. But Faulk is signed through next season and gives them a much-needed top-four defenseman for a playoff run. Yzerman could not sit on his hands again and needed to show some urgency for his team. He at least gave his team something.
Anaheim Ducks push for Pacific Division: The Ducks made one of the most surprising additions of the deadline when they landed defenseman John Carlson from the Washington Capitals. Carlson is a great addition because they needed another quality defenseman, but also needed a jolt to an offense that has only been middle of the pack. Carlson can help both, while also being a major part of their power play. They should not only be a playoff team, but their quest for the Pacific Division gets a boost.
St. Louis Blues long-term assets: The Blues did not trade Robert Thomas or Jordan Kyrou (which is probably smart), but they did add two more first-round picks (from the New York Islanders and Red Wings) while also clearing future salary cap space. They have options this summer to either retool the roster or further kickstart a rebuild.
Colorado Avalanche center depth: The Avalanche have been one of the NHL’s best teams all season, but they still needed an upgrade at their No. 2 center position. A reunion with Nazem Kadri, who helped them win the 2021-22 Stanley Cup, was the most sensible option. They got him. He may not be the player he was five years ago, but he is still an outstanding two-way option that will fit in perfectly in a second-line role. 2
NHL trade-deadline losers
Lack of blockbuster trades: If you were here for major, league-altering and franchise-changing trades, you were simply out of luck. The trade deadline and first day of free agency rarely live up to the rumors hype, but this year seemed to be worse than usual.
Philadelphia Flyers: They did not find a taker for veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, while their biggest trade was moving out a solid young player in Bobby Brink for a very unproven player in David Jiricek. Position of strength to fill position of weakness, sure, but talent-for-talent it seems like a loss right now and a big risk. Hard to find the plan here.
New York Rangers retooling plan: Speaking of difficult plans to decipher, what exactly is this Rangers retooling supposed to accomplish? All they really did was trade some pending free agents and not really add any major long-term assets into the organization. Not even in a seller’s market.
Vancouver Canucks: They were able to shed Conor Garland’s contract (to the Columbus Blue Jackets) for a couple of draft picks and move Myers, but they made no other major moves and did not trade pending free agents Teddy Blueger or Evander Kane.
Toronto Maple Leafs: They needed to sell, and they did. Sort of. But they did not sell enough, and outside of getting a future first-round pick for Nicolas Roy it was a very underwhelming set of returns for the players they did sell.
