Every year, the trade deadline offers fans and NHL executives valuable lessons. With the 2025 frenzy in full swing, we'll reflect on some of last season's biggest trades with the benefit of hindsight.
Here's how a handful of the biggest blockbusters from 2024 panned out.
Hurricanes haul in Guentzel
Jake Guentzel was the biggest prize at last year's deadline, with Pittsburgh shipping him to Carolina for Michael Bunting, three prospects, and two picks. Both selections were conditional, and the Penguins ultimately didn't net a first-round selection for the perennial 40-goal threat.
Guentzel fit terrifically in Carolina, providing extra punch to the top six by netting 25 points in 17 games and nine in 11 playoff contests. However, the Hurricanes were beaten convincingly in the second round by the New York Rangers and couldn't sign Guentzel to an extension despite their best efforts. Still, Guentzel's departure didn't deter Carolina from taking the same risk this season on pending unrestricted free agent Mikko Rantanen.
Pittsburgh was criticized for not landing a first-round pick or the top prospects in the Hurricanes' pipeline. Vasiliy Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen may blossom into useful NHLers during the Penguins' rebuild, but it's too early to say if the club fully whiffed on the return.
Verdict: Kudos to Carolina for going for it, but doing so and not getting over a playoff hump that's eluded the club for years is a tough pill to swallow.
Golden Knights acquire Hanifin, Hertl
The Golden Knights infuriated droves of hockey fans by exposing the NHL's long-term injured reserve loophole to go big-game hunting last winter. Acquiring Noah Hanifin, a pending UFA who seemed keen on leaving Calgary, wasn't a surprise. Hauling in Tomas Hertl on deadline day was a shocker.
Hanifin quickly signed an eight-year extension and has fit seamlessly into Vegas' back end. The Golden Knights gave up first- and third-round picks, along with Daniil Miromanov, to secure a top-four staple for maximum term. That's tidy business. The Flames' hands were tied with Hanifin's name in the rumor mill all season long, leading to a modest return for a borderline star.
Shortly after acquiring Hanifin, Vegas scooped Hertl from the Sharks for another first-rounder and forward David Edstrom. No one anticipated Hertl to be on the block with five years remaining on his contract, but the Golden Knights did what the Golden Knights do and made a massive splash in pursuit of a championship. Hertl struggled after the trade but has found his footing with 21 goals this season.
Verdict: Vegas can't give away first-round picks forever, but ensuring term for each blockbuster acquisition was a major win.
Mittelstadt, Byram swapped in shocker
This deal was one of the frenzy's biggest surprises, as the Avalanche and Sabres swapped former blue-chip prospects. Colorado needed help down the middle of the ice and identified Casey Mittelstadt as a potential long-term solution. The Avalanche signed the 26-year-old to a three-year extension after he produced 19 points in 29 games between the regular season and playoffs, but he's a minus-13 this season with only nine goals. There have been rumblings that Mittelstadt could be on the move again as Colorado still seeks an upgrade at the position.
Bowen Byram was once viewed as the second coming of Cale Makar in the Avs' system, but the rearguard battled injuries and was ultimately deemed expendable despite showing promise when healthy. Byram has fit in nicely in Buffalo, matching a career high with 29 points this season while averaging over 23 minutes per contest. He's a restricted free agent this summer, and the Sabres having cost control with the high-ceiling blue-liner could turn into a big win.
Verdict: It was a fun swap. Right now, it seems like the Sabres came away on the better end of the deal.
Canucks add Lindholm
This move came weeks before the deadline but was one of the defining trades of the campaign, as Elias Lindholm was among the biggest names available from the season's outset.
Lindholm's arrival gave the Canucks enviable center depth on paper between him, Elias Pettersson, and J.T. Miller. However, it didn't click as anticipated. Lindholm averaged three fewer minutes per game in Vancouver than in Calgary, and he registered 12 points in 26 regular-season games. He was productive in the playoffs with 10 points in 13 contests, but the Canucks squandered a series lead in the second round, and Lindholm walked in free agency.
The Flames' return consisted of Andrei Kuzmenko (since flipped to Philadelphia), youngsters Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, and two picks. The first-rounder Calgary fetched with Vancouver's selection was Matvei Gridin, considered one of the club's top prospects.
Verdict: It was an admirable swing for the Canucks in a go-for-it year, but hindsight makes this one a whiff - especially considering how far Vancouver's fallen this season.
Jets land Monahan, Toffoli
The Jets sought offensive reinforcements for their playoff push last season and brought in a pair of veterans in separate deals. Winnipeg paid Montreal first- and third-round picks to add an established center in Sean Monahan and gave New Jersey second- and third-round selections for Tyler Toffoli, a three-time 30-goal scorer.
Monahan was a hit in Winnipeg, netting 13 tallies and 24 points. A first-round pick felt steep after he scored just six goals with the Habs, but the Jets were right to believe he could make an impact. No one scoffed at Toffoli's price, and he put up a respectable 11 points in 17 games.
Despite making some shrewd trades, Winnipeg fell flat on its face in the first round of the playoffs. The Jets dropped four straight against the Avalanche after winning Game 1 to put a damper on an otherwise exceptional season.
Verdict: The Jets' playoff failure was not an indictment of the deals they made before the deadline.
