NHL trade deadline 2024 grades, playoff and draft impact

Ryan S. Clark

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Ryan S. Clark

NHL reporterRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.

Kristen Shilton

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Kristen Shilton

ESPN NHL reporterKristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.Mar 11, 2024, 07:00 AM ET

The 2024 NHL trade deadline was Friday at 3 p.m., and the finish included a shocking deal: Tomas Hertl, the San Jose Sharks’ All-Star representative, was moved to the Vegas Golden Knights, who had already acquired Noah Hanifin and Anthony Mantha.

But while the Knights’ moves generated a sizable amount of the attention, most of the league’s 32 teams took part in the festivities to some degree. And all of those trades will have an impact on the playoff races, as well as the “race” for the draft lottery standings, with Boston University freshman Macklin Celebrini the likely No. 1 pick this summer.

Which teams did the best in setting themselves up, in either direction, with their moves this trade season? Using the Elias Lindholm trade on Jan. 31 as our starting point, here are grades for all 32 GMs, along with our analysis on how those deals will impact the remainder of the 2023-24 season — and the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Cap space figures are per Cap Friendly.

Note: Kristen Shilton provided the analysis for the Atlantic and Metropolitan teams, while Ryan S. Clark handled the Central and Pacific clubs.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Grade: B-

Key additions: F Pat Maroon, D Andrew Peeke
Key subtractions: None

Impact on the rest of the season: Boston’s salary cap constraints foreshadowed a quieter deadline than last season (when they loaded up with the likes of Dmitry Orlov and Tyler Bertuzzi). And rumor has it one deal the Bruins tried to execute — goaltender Linus Ullmark to the Kings — didn’t pan out. What the return there could have been we may never know.

In terms of what did transpire, GM Don Sweeney went for some low-risk, high-reward additions in Maroon (provider of sandpaper…


Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/39699238/nhl-trade-deadline-2024-grades-playoffs-draft-lottery-teams

Author : Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton

Publish date : 2024-03-11 11:17:59

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